Gates' straight talk "refreshing" after Rumsfeld
Edit: no friggin' kidding
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Robert Gates on Tuesday gave plain-speaking answers at a hearing on his appointment as U.S. defense secretary, winning over senators used to the convoluted and sometimes dismissive style of Donald Rumsfeld.
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No, the United States is not winning the Iraq war, Gates said.
Yes, the United States clearly had too few troops to control Iraq after the 2003 invasion, he said.
And, yes, if the United States leaves Iraq in chaos, America will face a crisis throughout the Middle East, the nominee told senators in comments roundly praised as candid and refreshing after Rumsfeld's testy appearances on Capitol Hill.
"Dr. Gates, thank you for your candor. That's something that has been sorely lacking from the current occupant in the position that you seek to hold," said Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, a long-time Rumsfeld critic.
"We need a strong secretary of defense -- but that doesn't mean strong-headed," said Clinton.
Sen. Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record), the Michigan Democrat set to take over the Senate Armed Services Committee in January, called Gates' statement that America was not winning "a necessary, refreshing breath of reality."
Republicans too praised Gates, and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner said the panel was impressed with his "forthrightness."
Gates' soft-spoken, nonconfrontational style contrasted sharply with that of Rumsfeld, who faced regular criticism and charges that his presentations about Iraq were rosier than reality.
In his characteristic style, Rumsfeld often brushed off questions about challenges facing troops, calling the answers "complicated." He would regularly ask himself broad questions, and then answer them, and verbally charge his questioners with finger pointed and eyes locked.
"Just back off...and relax," he recently told Pentagon reporters when pressed about benchmarks the Iraqi government could face for progress in reducing violence.
Gates offered a softer style in his first appearance in Congress since being named by President George W. Bush to replace Rumsfeld after Republicans were swept out of power amid anger about Iraq policy in last month's elections.
Senators asked whether Gates would continue to offer clear, independent assessments if confirmed to lead the Pentagon, and he guaranteed he would.
"I intend to listen closely to people. I intend to draw my own conclusions, and I'll make my recommendations. But I can assure you that I don't owe anybody anything," Gate said. |
