Obama expected to keep Robert Gates

I'm sincerely pleased with this choice - he's a pragmatic man and he can help allow for a smooth transition from the Bush administration in a department that very much requires experience in the long-existing issues in Iraq and Afghanistan (hopefully not ones caused by such experienced bureaucrats however).

He's one of the few people from the Bush administration I still have respect for.

I think that any good manager looks at the incoming office and evaluates the quality of each individual person. Obama is simply think practically. He recognizes the few successes of Bush and is working to ensure he doesn't break functioning systems.

I'm not a fan of any defense secretary appointed by Bush.

Although I'm led to believe gates has been one of the only forces keeping us from war with Iran.

In any case, I hope Obama knows what he's doing and isn't just attempting to reach across the aisle.

Expected??????What the hell does that mean??? Lets keep it real guys!!!!!

Oh yes, anything Obama does is pure gold. Even if he were to state Bush did no wrong , doesn't deserve impeachment or accountability for his crimes, and anyone he selects is absolutely perfect. Bah. We are simply now on a war footing as we have been for the last five years with Gates staying. He will simply work to move more troops from Iraq to Afghanistan now and anywhere else Obama wants to continue the Bush doctrine. War will not end. We needed to wipe the slate from the last eight years clean. We need someone with the courage to do it. I am tired of capitulation for the sake of putting party over country so that we don't ruffle any feathers. I was flipping channels Sunday morning and actually saw James Baker of all people fawning over Obama.... when Bush's brood start doing that you know Obama has sold his soul. I don't happen to think that is anything to commend. And this is what I have been wary of: Bush woulnd never be able to put forward any of the other parts of the war agenda of the PNAC crowd because he is now hated worldwide.... they need someone in there the world 'loves'...So again, should this war even escalate, would those who continue to placate this war now that Obama will be president agree with that? Is war OK if it is Obama running it? There should be NO Bush appointments left in any incoming administration after what Bush and his cronies did to this country for the last eight years. Period.

I don't trust Obama anymore, he is some of the same, the first thing he did is back peddle on taxes for the rich, keeping Rubin whom the corporations love and now Gates. He lied to us right from the first move. Looks like I am being fooled again. I thought we had a chance at an honest leader, he was going to change Washington and all I see is more of the same. He joined the club faster than most, before he was sworn in, maybe I can rescind my vote. We need a no confidence vote. He wants to borrow more money and put us deeper in debt. He is a great bs artist it seems!

Hey Paddlenround I wish you were right and I would love to have a great president whom I thought Obama was going to be. We'll tax the rich, end the war, and put the budget in place. let me back up no we won't tax the rich, we'll keep the war going with Gates, and we'll borrow money to get out of this mess. Sounds like a lot of back peddling to me. He sold out to the rich when people like James Baker and Liberman love what he is doing I smell a rat. I backed him and I hope I am not sorry, but lies are lies and he is starting off as a liar. I hope you are right and I am wrong. But my gut is usually right and that scares me.

Change?

everyone being cynical about this needs to look at the big picture here. obama is doing a great job jumping on what is most important right now and that is the state of our economy. as far as the tax cuts, the war etc....those are sure to come. he has to prioritize then execute. additionally gates is only guaranteed the first year as defense secretary....after that obama can opt to change or stay the course.

for some reason, its much easier as a society to complain than to embrace

I don't embrace traitors.

What Obama is choosing about his cabinet is very questionable, and could lead us back where we started, but please don't complain until he hits presdient, then you could...

Actually, Gates is viewed by both parties as a intelligent and has been credited (again by both parties) in getting Rumsfelds mess under control. And if he follows Obamas policies then there shouldn't be any issue. Also, considering that our entire country is a mess I think Obama is changing what needs to be changed and keeping what he needs to so that he can address other equally important matters (like the economy). Changing things just to change them doesn't make any sense. I think this shows that he is thinking about things and isn't just going in there like the Bush administration did and hire people solely based on party alliances. This sure seems like change to me. Go Obama!

How quickly we forget. His hands were all over the Iran Contra fiasco.

i like what Obama is doing with his cabinet choices. I think the basis for everything that was wrong with the Bush admin. is groupthink. Everybody pushed him in one direction without offering enough differing opinions and debate before decisions were made. Good healthy debate and differing opinions is always good.

what a terrible decision.

Obama is just appointing a bunch of seasoned
politicians.

There is no change happening.
Washington is not getting rattled.

Just more of the same.

Probably all the appointees would have been the
same if Clinton had won.

Time will tell all no doubt. It will all come back to bite him or he will enjoy the applause of the American people if he is making the right choices. Only time will tell, personally I hope he is one of the greatest president our country has ever had. I could not live through another repeat of the last eight years of misery we had to indure by a man who rigged the elections and should be in prison along with his co-horts. I would much rather have a winner to lead this great country. Time will tell!

I have a hard time believing in anyone associated with bush 43 but i don't want to cast to much judgment because i haven't found enough evidence to be against gates and other appointees. I don't like the fact that Obama is pushing the bailouts because that saves the rich and hurts everyone else though i have some feeling that Obama must be a little careful because we are being ruled by a dictator right now.