As I write this, Robert Gates has been unanimously approved by the Senate Armed Service Committee to be the next Secretary of Defense. His ultimate confirmation by the full Senate is certain.Many things have been written over the last twenty-four hours about the apparent candor of the nominee and his willingness to stray from the White House message. But the most damning statement is not being quoted at all. It came as Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) was questioning him.
From the actual testimony:
SEN. CLINTON: Based on your experience, which goes back quite a ways in this town -- do you believe the President, the Vice President, and the existing Secretary of Defense are intelligent men?
MR. GATES: Yes, ma'am.
SEN. CLINTON: Are they patriotic?
MR. GATES: Absolutely.
SEN. CLINTON: Do they care about our men and women in uniform?
MR. GATES: Absolutely.
SEN. CLINTON: Do they believe the decisions they have made for the last five years have been in America's best interests?
MR. GATES: I have not had that discussion with any of them, Senator.
************************************************************** So ... Mr. Gates clearly believes that the decision to invade Iraq was made by men who are intelligent and patriotic, and who care about our men and women in uniform. But he doesn't seem to think that Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld acted in America's best interest.
It's one thing for a left-wing blog to accuse the President and his top advisors of acting against America's best interest. It is quite another for the President's own nominee to admit it.
Of course, the so-called "mainstream media" either missed this completely, or refused to show it. So this illuminating exchange will have to find its way on to the blogs first. But make no mistake - Gates' refusal to say that Bush, et. al., acted in America's best interest will become a major discussion topic.
Copyright 2006, Dan Jacoby
For a PDF version of this document, click here.
To contact Dan Jacoby, click here.
Return to the Main Menu