'Bama to keep Bush's war team on..

[Pinky Floyd]

Obama wants Bush war team to stay

Bill Gertz (Contact)

Monday, December 22, 2008

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who has been named to the same Cabinet post in the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama, is asking experienced members of the Bush war team to stick around to smooth the transition in the Pentagon. (File photo)

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has asked most Bush administration political appointees except those targeted for dismissal to stay on in the Pentagon until replaced by the Obama administration in the coming months.

"I have received authorization from the president-elect's transition team to extend a number of Department of Defense political appointees an invitation to voluntarily remain in their current positions until replaced," Mr. Gates said in an Dec. 19 e-mail to political appointees. Source

___________________________

This and the facts that 30k more troops are to be sent to Afghanistan and Dr. Condoleezza Rice has said Obama might have "little option but to follow George W. Bush’s approach on a range of foreign policy issues, including Iran", means that 'change' isn't coming anytime soon people. At least in foreign policy.

/Soon to come: "Oh..and about that tax hike I said wasn't gonna happen.."

[Aztec Warrior]

I read that too. The Liberals and Code Pink must be blowing a gasket.

[Stardrive]

"I have received authorization from the president-elect's transition team to extend a number of Department of Defense political appointees an invitation to voluntarily remain in their current positions until replaced," Mr. Gates said in an Dec. 19 e-mail to political appointees. Source

Why? because under the circumstances its the wisest thing to do.

[acidhead]

The American government is ten times as worse right now than the Five mafia families at their height

[The Silver Thong]

Why? because under the circumstances its the wisest thing to do.

I agree, might as well keep the guys in place that really know whats going on over there. Maybe with a new Commander and chief they can try something new and different. I won't hold my breath though.

[sleepyhead]

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who has been named to the same Cabinet post in the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama, is asking experienced members of the Bush war team to stick around to smooth the transition in the Pentagon. (File photo)

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has asked most Bush administration political appointees except those targeted for dismissal to stay on in the Pentagon until replaced by the Obama administration in the coming months.

"I have received authorization from the president-elect's transition team to extend a number of Department of Defense political appointees an invitation to voluntarily remain in their current positions until replaced," Mr. Gates said in an Dec. 19 e-mail to political appointees.

___________________________

This and the facts that 30k more troops are to be sent to Afghanistan and Dr. Condoleezza Rice has said Obama might have "little option but to follow George W. Bush’s approach on a range of foreign policy issues, including Iran", means that 'change' isn't coming anytime soon people. At least in foreign policy.

Re-read the bold and consider the fact that he's not even officially in office yet.

[Cleomenes]

The American government is ten times as worse right now than the Five mafia families at their height

[MasterPo]

The American government is ten times as worse right now than the Five mafia families at their height

I'd be ROTFL if that wasn't such a screwed up POV.

[Pinky Floyd]

Re-read the bold and consider the fact that he's not even officially in office yet.

Reread my comments and consider that all that he said was going to happen to foreign policy (one of his points on the election trail that actually got him elected), isn't going to happen...In fact, instead of change, we will probably get more of the same (just coming from a different face). He went from saying 'immediate withdraw' from Iraq to saying 'strategic redeployment'. Essentially rubber stamping the withdraw timetable that 'W' was going with already (totally unacceptable per the far-left then but now they are accepting it).

And now instead of talking meeting with Dinnerjacket, he's talking tough with Iran as well.

A shot at Iran via Iraq

By Kaveh L Afrasiabi

Last week, at an international conference on Persian Gulf security, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed that the Barack Obama administration's policy toward the region lacked any new vision and would continue the main contours of the George W Bush administration's policy, above all, containing Iran.

This is hardly surprising, given Gates' role and the absence of any significant sign of a new vision for Persian Gulf security on the part of Obama. So far, rhetoric aside, meaningful novelty with respect to burning Middle East issues is in short supply on the part of Obama's foreign policy team and, as a result, any high or even above moderate expectations of a US change in the Middle East are likely to be frustrated.

source

"would continue the main contours of the George W Bush administration's policy, above all, containing Iran." That does not sound like the 'coddling' approach that he was talking about on the campaign trail. Even the World Socialists agree:

In the course of his election campaign, Obama increasingly hedged with caveats and qualifications his original proposal for direct talks with Tehran. Gates's comments underscore the fact that there will be no easing of tensions under the Obama administration. The opposite will be the case. Any offer of negotiations will be on Washington's terms and will be accompanied by a sharp intensification of diplomatic, economic and military threats designed to bludgeon the Iranian regime into accepting US demands.

Obama summed up his policy in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" on December 7. Asked under what circumstances he would open up a dialogue with Iran, he explained that before any talks, "I think we need to ratchet up tough but direct diplomacy with Iran, making very clear to them that their development of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable, that their funding of terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah, their threats against Israel are contrary to everything that we believe in."

source

Just wait till Ahmadinezad starts up with the 'blow Israel off the map' rhetoric and nonsense after Obama takes office. You can bet the farm he will in order to test Obama's 'mettle'. Sure, Obama wants to talk, but once Dinnerjacket starts ranting, Obama will find out that Dinnerjacket is really out of his mind and that peaceful dialog will be impossible with him and the entire idea thrown out the window. My prediction is that Gates-the one that Obama will be listening to more than anyone else (at least for the time being) will be staying on much longer than is spoken of right now...

Edited December 24, 2008 by Pinky Floyd

[D1CKY D1AMOND]

To me it makes sense to keep people around who know what's been going on for the last 8 years.

[MasterPo]

To me it makes sense to keep people around who know what's been going on for the last 8 years.

So you're saying Obama doesn't have the experience in these matters? Wow.

[Thanato]

Given the fact that the United States Military is currently engaged in two conflicts in two different nations it makes logical sense to keep people around in the early stages of his administration who know about it and have a relationship with teh Military.

~Thanato

[InHuman]

As long as they don't stay.

And also, is it true that he chose that preacher who compared abortion to the holocaust and talks crap about homosexuals to speak at his big day?

[MasterPo]

Given the fact that the United States Military is currently engaged in two conflicts in two different nations it makes logical sense to keep people around in the early stages of his administration who know about it and have a relationship with teh Military.

(not a jab at you Thanato)

I love it when liberal ideals crash and burn so openly and quickly!

The only thing better is the media's spin on it.

[The Silver Thong]

So you're saying Obama doesn't have the experience in these matters? Wow.

I would say Obama doesn't have over 40 yrs of family experience in the art of war. So whats the point? Keep on with the old? Bush gave birth to this war and the men that have been conducting the war would obviously know more than throwing in fresh meat and then all of a sudden Obama takes the heat for Bush's mess. Obama is a good poker player I imagine.

[SilverCougar]

drum roll please....

*facepalms*

[The Silver Thong]

drum roll please....

*facepalms*

LOL

[Thanato]

(not a jab at you Thanato)

I love it when liberal ideals crash and burn so openly and quickly!

The only thing better is the media's spin on it.

What the hell is that suppose to mean? lol

~Thanato

[sleepyhead]

Reread my comments and consider that all that he said was going to happen to foreign policy (one of his points on the election trail that actually got him elected), isn't going to happen...In fact, instead of change, we will probably get more of the same (just coming from a different face). He went from saying 'immediate withdraw' from Iraq to saying 'strategic redeployment'. Essentially rubber stamping the withdraw timetable that 'W' was going with already (totally unacceptable per the far-left then but now they are accepting it).

I think it would be too dangerous to immediately withdraw. I also believe it's totally unrealistic to expect most of the gov't to be replaced by Obama and for the troops to be home before the man is even in office.

[Stardrive]

First, I would like to wish all my arguing buddies and their families a Merry Christmas.

Secondly, and this isn’t a knock on you Pinky, this topic is a no-brainer. Which is why most who disagree with the Iraq war have’nt reacted in the predicted manner. In other words, only a total dumbass would replace the Sec. of Defense during a time when there are military conflicts in progress. Unless of course he did something horribly wrong which he has not.

And lastly, since we’re name calling and labeling, I’d like to say to the blockhead cons on here that the “change” people wanted to see was a change in the Darth Vader “either you are with us or against us” mentality, which does not encompass keeping informed people like Gates on board with the new administration. Very simple really so there is no need to overthink this decision.

[MasterPo]

And lastly, since we’re name calling and labeling, I’d like to say to the blockhead cons on here that the “change” people wanted to see was a change in the Darth Vader “either you are with us or against us” mentality, which does not encompass keeping informed people like Gates on board with the new administration. Very simple really so there is no need to overthink this decision.

So you're either with us all the way, with us a little, not with us or with the terrorists, with the terrorists a little more than with us, with the terrorists a lot more than with us, with the terrorists completely all the way.

Good change in policy. Gotcha.

I'll sleep better tonight for sure.

[MasterPo]

Bush gave birth to this war <snip>

Wrong! The terrorists fired the first shot. Years and years ago. Just the first rounds hit Main Street USA on 9/11/01.

We can either deal with it as a war for our survival or as an occational nucance that may kill a few thousand to a few million in one soop.

Your call. You know where I stand.

[acidhead]

Wrong! The terrorists fired the first shot. Years and years ago. Just the first rounds hit Main Street USA on 9/11/01.

We can either deal with it as a war for our survival or as an occational nucance that may kill a few thousand to a few million in one soop.

Your call. You know where I stand.

alone?

[ninjadude]

Obama is a good poker player I imagine.

No need to imagine. He is indeed. I forgot where the link is.

[Stardrive]

So you're either with us all the way, with us a little, not with us or with the terrorists, with the terrorists a little more than with us, with the terrorists a lot more than with us, with the terrorists completely all the way.

Good change in policy. Gotcha.

I'll sleep better tonight for sure.

That's about the funniest load of horsecrap I've heard in a long time. Tell you what Po, you just keep alienating yourself and supporting those who are painting our friends and allies into a corner with these asnine and haughty statements and watch what happens. THEN, what you fear most will transpire because the haughty attitude will backfire. But then again what did I expect from a Darth Vader "I will overcome hate with fear" mentality.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy black and white thinking but for entertainment purposes only.

Something tells me you sleep with one eye open anyway...