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Live Thread - Hearing on Robert Gates as Sec. of Defense
Cspan ^ | Dec 4, 2006

Posted on 12/05/2006 6:50:29 AM PST by Mo1

FROM THE SENATE Hearing on Robert Gates

The Senate Armed Services Cmte. holds an open hearing on the nom- ination of Robert Gates to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Sec. of De- fense. CIA director from 1991-93 under Presidents Bush & Clinton, Gates is currently President of Texas A&M University. Senators are expected to call for a new Iraq strategy during the hearing.

NOW ON C-SPAN2 & C-SPAN3


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: defense; dod; gates; nosir; robertgates
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To: ilovew
Rumsfeld thought we needed a fresh new perspective. We got an old dog who cannot learn new tricks. Too much part of the old guard.

Very bad advice from somewhere.

Frankly, I hope it wasn't Papa Bush. He needs to get out of the picture, and take his cronies with him.

321 posted on 12/05/2006 1:33:27 PM PST by OldFriend (FALLEN HERO JEFFREY TOCZYLOWSKI, REST IN PEACE)
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To: OldFriend

I wish we could withdraw Rummy's resignation and just keep him for another two years. It won't happen, I know. Replacing Rummy at all made me very nervous. But Gates sounds like he has no idea what's going on.


322 posted on 12/05/2006 1:37:45 PM PST by ilovew (I'm thankful to PFC Mike Adams who died in Iraq three years ago...I'll never forget you, Mike.)
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To: ilovew

Reminds me of the 9/11 Commission. Don't confuse them with the facts. These people operate in an ivory tower filled with like minded numbskulls who are sure the rest of us are dumb. Kind of like Powell, thinking he was the President. Blech double blech.


323 posted on 12/05/2006 1:40:55 PM PST by OldFriend (FALLEN HERO JEFFREY TOCZYLOWSKI, REST IN PEACE)
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To: OldFriend

Powell doesn't think he's president. He thinks he's God. He's not even in the administration anymore and he's still telling everyone what to think.


324 posted on 12/05/2006 1:49:31 PM PST by ilovew (I'm thankful to PFC Mike Adams who died in Iraq three years ago...I'll never forget you, Mike.)
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To: ilovew

Saw an interview on CSPIN. A woman who wrote a book on Powell. He was quite miffed that the entire cabinet didn't ignore the President and take his advice. LOLOL......this man was more trouble than he was worth. What a mistaken appointment. Thankfully, my guess is that there were a few people who kept him out of the loop.


325 posted on 12/05/2006 1:51:40 PM PST by OldFriend (FALLEN HERO JEFFREY TOCZYLOWSKI, REST IN PEACE)
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To: Txsleuth

Gates is a consummate Washington insider. He knows how to work with people and work the system.

Doing what Levin says would not be a "consensus", by definition of the word.

I took my cue from Imhofe and Sessions. They are very conservative, and not the cut and run types. Unless I missed it, they seem ok with Gates while most among us FReepers seem worried sick about him. And the way Gates dealt with the ridiculous but in your face ego of Bob Byrd.

Levin is Levin, just like Murtha is Murtha. Following the exact course of either of these two men would not be a consensus. (But I repeat myself...sorry.)

Make no mistake, Gates is very different in his personality and background and way of working than Rumsfeld. My point is, that's why I think he's there. Really. That's IT. It's what the President wants at this point. Don't think he's any more into cutting and running though than Rumsfeld.

Tough nougies, Levin and Murtha et al.


326 posted on 12/05/2006 1:53:04 PM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!)
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To: Mo1
Hey Mo1, look at these two different versions by the same Robert Burns, six hours apart. One qouted Gates as saying we're not winning the war, in the other, he says we're not winning but we're not losing, either

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061205/D8LQP8H00.html

http://www.thenewstribune.com/24hour/front/story/3438941p-12612271c.html

327 posted on 12/05/2006 1:54:03 PM PST by 4woodenboats ("Show me what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman")
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To: 21stCenturyFreeThinker

Before the Liberation, Sunni Baghdad had lots of electricity. The rest of the country had perhaps an hour a day. The total kilowatt hours produced now is the highest in Iraq's history, and people with jobs have money to buy more items that come plugs and electric cords.

Remember how the cry of the Left before 2003 was all about thousands of Iraqi children dieing monthly as a result of UN sanctions. That mantra seems to have been completely erased from the memory of those who have to make everything Bush's fault.

Are you sure that production used to be as high as you claim, or is that more propaganda from the leftist press?


328 posted on 12/05/2006 1:54:40 PM PST by maica (America will be a hyperpower that's all hype and no power -- if we do not prevail in Iraq)
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To: Miss Marple

Thank you for your supportive words, Miss Marple. You made my day.




329 posted on 12/05/2006 1:56:38 PM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!)
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To: ilovew

He clarified his answer in the afternoon session. He said he agreed with the exact words of General Pace, who has said we are not winning or losing right now, in his view. Gates added that our military has not lost a single battle in the Iraq War.

So he AND General Pace are defining winning and losing the way the President does, and that is MORE than winning military engagements. An Iraq that can govern itself, defend itself and sustain itself, and is an ally in the WOT.

In my post I explained why I believe the President chose Gates. I support the President's choice as long as he carries out the President's policies, and I take the President at his word that he wants to achieve his goals in Iraq and will not settle for less.





330 posted on 12/05/2006 2:10:43 PM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!)
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To: Kakaze
Here are some interesting stats about a 'minor' war that we were involved in 180 years ago:

Casualties from all causes during the Mexican War:
Killed in Action 1192
Died of wounds 529
Died of disease, etc 11,155
Accidental deaths 361
Executed by sentence of
General Court-martial 34
Wounded 4102
Total in Regular Army - 42,587
Volunteers - 73260


((((

A one-in-ten chance of dying from disease! Which was what took my ancestor.
331 posted on 12/05/2006 2:12:42 PM PST by maica (America will be a hyperpower that's all hype and no power -- if we do not prevail in Iraq)
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To: txrangerette

Thanks for being a voice of reason amid the tantrums on this thread today. Gates is tough and knowledgable, and he will do well.


332 posted on 12/05/2006 2:20:32 PM PST by Jedidah
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To: OldFriend

I am not happy about him either...but, unfortunately, after the Bolton thing...and as hard as they have been on Rummy.

I don't think that anyone WE would like would get confirmed....


333 posted on 12/05/2006 2:31:23 PM PST by Txsleuth (Bolton/Cheney (that would be Lynne) 08)
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To: txrangerette

I am going to listen to you...you have a cool head about this.


334 posted on 12/05/2006 2:34:03 PM PST by Txsleuth (Bolton/Cheney (that would be Lynne) 08)
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To: All

Just wanted to once again thank everyone to decided to stay home last month.


335 posted on 12/05/2006 2:43:58 PM PST by FreedomNeocon (Success is not final; Failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts -- Churchill)
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To: txrangerette

Thank you for your thoughtful analysis. I am inclined to believe you are probably right because I just do not believe that President Bush would nominate someone who would turn around and crush every thing we have worked so hard for these past three years. It just doesn't make sense.

I like your "take" on this.


336 posted on 12/05/2006 3:28:06 PM PST by Shelayne (...And though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm... ~~Casting Crowns)
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To: OldFriend

"Frankly, I hope it wasn't Papa Bush. He needs to get out of the picture, and take his cronies with him."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748938/posts?page=32#29

"Bush acknowledged, however, that he did consult with the 41st president before nominating Robert Gates, CIA director under his father, to replace Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary. But he said the elder Bush had no advance knowledge of the appointment.


Asked to comment on widespread view that his father's influence was coming to bear on his administration, Bush insisted: "I am the commander-in-chief." "


337 posted on 12/05/2006 3:36:09 PM PST by ARealMothersSonForever
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To: Txsleuth

"I'm going to listen to you..."

Uh oh...


338 posted on 12/05/2006 3:52:38 PM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!)
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To: txrangerette; All

Fox news just reported, in my time zone , that Gates' nomination was unanimously approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee.


339 posted on 12/05/2006 4:02:38 PM PST by PerConPat (A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both ears to the ground.-- Mencken)
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To: Txsleuth; Bahbah; Miss Marple
I'm listening to Hugh Hewitt and he's replying the questions/comments from todays hearing

I can't help but notice majority of the Dems .. especially Teddy were VERY calm today and didn't do their usual grandstanding and slamming non stop of Rummy and the President

Yes, there was some .. but nothing like they usually do
340 posted on 12/05/2006 4:15:22 PM PST by Mo1 (Thank You Mr & Mrs "I'm gonna teach you a lesson" Voter ... you just screwed us on so many levels)
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