He is giving speeches recently that feels like he is going rogue and distancing himself from Washington. On the other hand who isn’t? Everybody today wants to stay away from the culture there.
Gates didn’t want the job to start with, took it only because W needed him. And I don’t think he wanted to stay on when Obama took office, but has been standing in the gap for us the past year and a half.
Gates has a strong sense of duty. He left Washington once, and only went back because he was needed. Keep in mind that the surge in Iraq was on his watch and after he told Congress that things were in a stalemate there.
Don’t know how much longer he can take it. Maybe if we can flip Congress, they can demand a good replacement in exchange for confirmation.
I do not think he will run, but wouldn’t it be good to once again have a grownup in charge?