[Williams]

The more I hear from gates the less I like. I hope to God his only view of military missions is not bringing everyone home safely because he had lunch with them or met their parents. I understand the human side but you save lives by fighting effectively.

next strike against him: A university president. Masters of meaningless bureaucracy.

Wants a political solution involving our enemies in the region that are developing nukes and causing all the trouble. Oy.

Was on that idiotic Iraq Study Group.

I see a disaster coming that will lead to this man's resignation, or worse his survival in spite of it.

[livius]

The latter is more likely. I am underwhelmed, too. Of course, one never knows - I was very enthusiastic about Condoleeza Rice and expected great things from her, but she has turned out to be as wimpy as Powell (although a little less treacherous). Maybe Gates will do the reverse and really surprise us all, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Cicero]

Gates is a smart guy. I'd say this is a no lose answer to stupid Democrat questions, and a sympathy getter for the press.

Whether he'll do the right thing is another matter, but this remark doesn't bother me.

If I was being interviewed, I'd love to tell these guys to get stuffed, but probably this kind of answer works better at getting yourself confirmed.

[maxwellp]

I will miss SOD Donald Rumsfeld. He made me feel safe and our troops also loved him. I can't figure out President Bush sometimes.