Gates: Military looks to accelerate Iraq pullout

[cal04]

http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=9446210

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is signaling a willingness to forge ahead with two key priorities for the incoming Obama administration: accelerating the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and shutting down the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Gates, the only Republican Cabinet member asked to stay on by President-elect Barak Obama, says that military commanders are looking at ways to more quickly pull troops out of Iraq in light of the 16-month timetable that was a centerpiece of the Democrat's campaign.

He also says it will be a high priority to work with the new Congress on legislation that will enable the U.S. to close Guantanamo, where more than 200 detainees suspected of terrorism are still being held.



Gates softens opposition to 16-month Iraq timetable
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081202/pl_afp/uspoliticsobamamilitarygatesiraq_081202213249
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Tuesday softened his opposition to a 16-month timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq advocated by president-elect Barack Obama.

"I am less concerned about that timetable," he told a news conference at the Pentagon a day after Obama announced Gates had agreed to stay on as defense secretary in a Democratic administration.


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aY8c1OtmFD_w
“It is possible to close” the facility, he told reporters. “It should be a high priority.”

He said ending detention for terrorist suspects at the base may take legislation from Congress.

[SE_Ohio_Dem]

1. Picking Gates may have an unobvious advantage...

He's the only guy so far (including Obama) who can actually do something NOW. Interesting strategy to effectively to get Bush/Chaney out of the way sooner versus later on Iraq. Bush may be "The Decider" but it feels like Gates has gotten the message that there's already a new boss in town. Like Obama says - there's only one president at a time. I'll bet what he told Gates was "you better realize that it's me!".

Now...if we could only get EPA and Dept of Interior out from under Bushie before 1/20, maybe we could quarantine his environmental screw ups too.

[Az_lefty]

2. Good, lets ramp it up and get the hell out of there!

[blueclown]

3. I am starting to like this Gates' guy.

If nothing else, he takes to orders fairly quickly and is 100% behind Obama's plans.

[lebkuchen]

4. The rabid winger Marine officer corp is also turning pro-Obama

because of his choice of Marine General Jim Jones as National Security Adviser, so that's a smart Obama pick as well. Jones had not thought the Iraq invasion was a good idea, and he's no "parrot," so he and Gates can help get us out of this mess under Obama's watch, and the Marines can feel proud to have their label on the endeavour. A double-score would be their 2012 votes harnessed for the democratic ticket so we don't get into these messes again.

[Cults4Bush]

5. He had better be willing!

It may have been a smart move on Obamas part to keep this PNAC twerp around but I hope Obama gets rid of him as soon as he figures he can.