It was definitely one of the worst faux pas I've heard in a long time. One reporter asked Tony if Gates's remark would be demoralizing to the troops. (Duh.) Tony was very deft but oh, what a stinkpile. Then again, W made a few verbal gaffes before he learned to deal more effectively with the national media, so I'm hoping Gates will come up to speed really fast on this one.
There are very few wars that ever get one without some setbacks. It's not news. It's not even that disheartening -- if one looks at the larger picture. But that remark did not help anything.
It was a major goof/gaffe on the new SECDEF's part; if he doesn't think we are winning, he should not have taken the job. I don't care that he corrected it later on, it will be all over AlJazerra, the Arab Street and in the AQ camps. What a doofus. It doesn't give me much confidence in his ability. He serves at the pleasure of the President, and I would bet the President is not all that pleased with Gate's performance today. Poor Tony who had to go out and do the correcting, and shame on Gates for being so stupid in his comments. Egads. I wonder what the troops are thinking????