Comments on: At The Gates http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2008/11/11/gatesanotheryear/ Just another Firedoglake weblog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:56:23 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Aaron http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2008/11/11/gatesanotheryear/comment-page-1/#comment-3527 Aaron Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:20:46 +0000 http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2008/11/11/gatesanotheryear/#comment-3527 <p>I’m not sure that possible meme-reinforcement should be anywhere near the top of the list of the priorities to be addressed by an incoming Defense Secretary. To whom does it matter that “Dems don’t have any national security testicles”? If Obama delivers on his promises, the party affiliation of his first Defense Secretary won’t matter in two or four years. Likewise, if he doesn’t make good, a Republican Defense Secretary isn’t going to give him any cover. If Gates is the best choice independent of this meme-reinforcement business, he should stay. If not, not. Worrying what conservative Republicans will say about the choices Obama makes is largely counterproductive. They lost for a reason.</p> I’m not sure that possible meme-reinforcement should be anywhere near the top of the list of the priorities to be addressed by an incoming Defense Secretary. To whom does it matter that “Dems don’t have any national security testicles”? If Obama delivers on his promises, the party affiliation of his first Defense Secretary won’t matter in two or four years. Likewise, if he doesn’t make good, a Republican Defense Secretary isn’t going to give him any cover. If Gates is the best choice independent of this meme-reinforcement business, he should stay. If not, not. Worrying what conservative Republicans will say about the choices Obama makes is largely counterproductive. They lost for a reason.

]]> By: jimportlandor http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2008/11/11/gatesanotheryear/comment-page-1/#comment-3511 jimportlandor Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:46:44 +0000 http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2008/11/11/gatesanotheryear/#comment-3511 <p>Well, the points you make are sensible, but you didn’t mention that it reinforces the meme that Dems don’t have any national security testicles. </p> <p>On balance, I’d rather see an interregnum: Gates as Secy (Regent), SOMEBODY NEW as Vice Secy (a new post) with a Big D tatooed on his/her chest. Why Vice-Secy? Deputy Secretary is a ‘household management job’ in DoD, and we need a Big Dog working as Dauphin for the Regent (Gates). </p> <p>Gates’ job should be specified as ‘get us firmly on the way out of Iraq’, and then he can retire to the Defense Policy Board Chair. The Vice should clearly be the Dauphin, ready for his spurs as Emperor of DoD when daddy finishes his job.</p> Well, the points you make are sensible, but you didn’t mention that it reinforces the meme that Dems don’t have any national security testicles.

On balance, I’d rather see an interregnum: Gates as Secy (Regent), SOMEBODY NEW as Vice Secy (a new post) with a Big D tatooed on his/her chest. Why Vice-Secy? Deputy Secretary is a ‘household management job’ in DoD, and we need a Big Dog working as Dauphin for the Regent (Gates).

Gates’ job should be specified as ‘get us firmly on the way out of Iraq’, and then he can retire to the Defense Policy Board Chair. The Vice should clearly be the Dauphin, ready for his spurs as Emperor of DoD when daddy finishes his job.

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