I agree: Gates wont be around long. Political appointments aren’t expected to stay when the new man comes in. Payoff’s to people who helped in the election have to be made.
Friends have friends who need work , it’s a confusing arrangement and people who take political appointments know that. In the end its may not be Chicago payola but in reality there is little difference.
The entire executive branch was once like that. Everyone, down to the lowest clerk or janitor was in effect a political appointment.
Who knows, except for the military and strictly technical positions, maybe it was better that way, or at least no worse.
Obama is going to have one screwed up administration. There, imho, will so many disasters one right after the other with these nitwits.....it aint going to be pretty.
Bullfrog