Are We, the People, going to fight the confirmation of Robert Gates?

[More Than A Feeling]

If we are, now is the time to start. Democrats might succumb to the media calls for bi-partisanship unless we remind them that now is not the time to settle for any schlub Bush throws up there who doesn't attend the hearings in prisoner's garb. We need a real Secretary of Defense, not a CIA director with experience at intelligence-fixing pretending to be one. Would we confirm George Tenet to replace Rumsfeld if Bush nominated him? Gates doesn't even have the medal of freedom!:sarcasm:

[stepnw1f]

1. Nah... Let's "Keep Our Gun Powder Dry"

[More Than A Feeling]

4. The people voted for change, and a Bush family retainer

with a questionable past is not a change. If we made it clear we were setting a higher standard for confirmations in the wake of appointees like Chertoff and Brown, the American people might appreciate that. It's not like Bush can't do it. Hank Paulson was a well-qualified replacement for John Snow.

[stepnw1f]

6. I'm In Total Agreement with Your OP

I was being sarcastic when I typed: "Let's Keep Our Gun Powder Dry"

[More Than A Feeling]

8. oh, that's cool then.

:thumbsup:

[kenny blankenship]

2. Just enough to remind America what a scumbag he is

Hey we have to get through the next 2 years somehow. Bush can't nominate someone who isn't evil, he doesn't have any friends like that.
He's on his way out, let's kick him as hard as we can and try to enjoy ourselves a bit in the time he has remaining.

[sam sarrha]

3. if Gates answers the questions he refused to answer at the Iran Contra hearings he can stay.

[pauldp]

5. Don't forget the fact that he is tied to Iran Contra.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/09/1444242

Of course so is half of the Bush administration.

[Pepperbelly]

7. does anyone here know anything about this yahoo beyond the broad strokes?

I know he was in the CIA as an analyst. I know he was a cold warrior. Neither of those things are prima facia inidictments of anything in particular. The President deserves consideration as the hiring authority in the matter. and We, THE PEOPLE, deserve the best person for the job.

Does anyone know anything in particular about this asshole Gates?

[More Than A Feeling]

9. The post before yours has a good interview

with someone who testified against Gates before, laying out why he shouldn't be confirmed now.

Also, check out this diary about him on Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/11/9/34541/0328

[BR_Parkway]

10. Filibuster him until Jan, dare Frist to use the "Nuclear Option"

[yellowdawgdem]

11. I'm thinking along those lines

as well. Not only is it crucial to our getting out of Iraq, but it matters that we can trust the democrats not to cave in. What is the point in voting in democrats who go along with their agenda so easily. I worry that if the dems start wimping out this early in the game, voters will not be as energized for the 08 election. Btw is there anything good about this guy at all that we could be overlooking?

[lapfog_1]

12. I think the new Senate leadership should make it clear

that he isn't acceptable, before confirmation hearings.

It's the drawing the line in the sand thing. Rolling over and approving the very first person that Bushco submits is like rolling over and exposing your belly before the current pack leader. And we need to neuter the rest of Shrubya's time in office... to the point of making him irrelevant. So we reject Gates and suggest a list of names that we think would be better. And, of course, all 49 Dems and our two Inds (Lieberman should be constantly reminded that after the 2000 election, those same new repuke friends of his all made up those "Sore Loserman" signs) need to be solidly with Harry when he becomes the beach master. All it takes to to utterly reject *'s lame duck crap and push back on Gates.

Bush 41's team is not the one we need running the show... they are just another division of the BFEE or BCF. We need to tell Dimson that new blood is needed, not Daddy's fixit team.

[More Than A Feeling]

17. For true humiliation potential, nothing beats Gen. Eric Shinseki (Ret.)

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_digbysblog_archive.html#116319487715320678

[lapfog_1]

25. I think there is a rule that

the a SecDef candidate has to be out of the military X years before he or she can be considered.

I don't know how many years the rule states (hell, I'm not sure there is a rule, it's just a net rumor).

But, Shinseki would be great!

[Ringo84]

13. I dunno

I'm of two minds like I am about impeachment. On one hand, it might make us look bad to question Pres. Jackass' new choice for Secy of Defense. On the other hand, you might have a point about there being no change in this choice.

My opinion about Gates is still neutral. I don't remember the Bush I years too well and I don't really know the facts about this guy. If he's truly a Rumsfeld clone, then I guess I'll support a fight against the confirmation.
Ringo

[Lars39]

14. DU threads and articles that give the history of Robert Gates:

Iran-Contra
Robert Gates
Master Thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=bookmark&forum=364&topic_id=2665635


Robert Gates: A criminal from the Iran/Contra days…NNN0LHIs thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2643425

Iran-Contra Robert Gates? That Robert Gates?... Solly Mack’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2639900&mesg_id=2639900


Larry Johnson (ret. CIA) warns of Robert Gates..... Postmans’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2645115


Larry Johnson:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-c-johnson/bob-gates-hes-back_b_33660.html

"From the Shadows" (Gates' Autobiography)…H2O Man’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2640997&mesg_id=2640997


Gates was heavily implicated in a 'secret' program in the '80s providing satellite info to Saddam:…bigtree’s thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2651062


http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Iraq/Saddam%27s_Hidden_History.html


Robert Gates - one of most consequential CIA operations: Funneling $ to Mujahhadin…The Straight Story’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2653478


Old Names, Old Scandals: Robert Gates was a controversial figure in the Iran-contra affair…struggle4progress’ thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x245031

Robert Parry: The Secret World of Robert Gates…reprehensor’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2664185



Robert Gates’ Main Qualification for Secretary of Defense…Time for change’ thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2669025


The Cheney-Gates Cabal by Ray McGovern (ret.CIA)…Postman’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2673557#2673755

1980: Robert Gates Prevented Iran Hostage Release…DiktatrW’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2955329

Poppy with Robert Gates on Nov. 4, 2006 – pic…Kadie’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2675393#2675424

We need to fight the Robert "Trojan Horse" Gates appointment as SOD…bobbie’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2955605

The Secret World of Robert Gates…0007’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2955821

Gates' views have differed from Bush…Kadie’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2678025


Blast from Past: New Defense Secretary Gates is same Gates in '97 Schwarzkopf video!... Mugsy’s thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2682259


prisonplanet article: Well I didn't know bout this...Robert = Trojan Horse Gates…:Buttercup McToots’ thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2685913

[Lars39]

15. Media List:

Media List


[e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; 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[More Than A Feeling]

19. Much obliged!

:D

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. Poppy's pals

including Uncle Jimmie, who made sure Dimson was selected in 2000, have been behind the Invasion of Iraq and the bankrupting of the US economy since day 1.

It is unacceptable for any of them to think they've got anything to say about how we proceed from here. They made this mess. The DEMS won, now shut up and get out of the way.

Bush is going to have to try again and as soon as possible please.

[pdxmom]

18. I was listening to some RW radio over the past few days, and I'm

starting to hear rumblings that Gates isn't acceptable to the base. They're mad about Rummy, and they see Gates as an appeaser and someone who might actually (gasp!)promote negotiation.

Maybe we let them continue to eat their own for awhile. The RW base is out for blood and they seem to want Bush's right now. I think Gates' confirmation hearing will be popcorn-worthy viewing.

[Lars39]

20. Write your Representatives and Senators:

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[More Than A Feeling]

21. How about some talking points?

- Bob Gates is George Tenet without the Medal of Freedom.
- Resurrecting bureaucrats with shady pasts is not a new direction.

As we move farther along, Dems should come up with alternatives who would accept the post, and proclaim them to be far superior, then let the American people judge whose nominees they like better.

[IntravenousDemilo]

22. As I said in another thread...

...you should hold out for William S Cohen, and accept no one else. Spurious George should have no trouble with him, since he's a Republican, and he served ably under Clinton; if he's good enough for Big Dawg, he should be good enough for Bush, as well as find favour with Democratic and Republican senators alike. Pelosi should say, "Mr President, this is the candidate we will confirm."

[More Than A Feeling]

23. Nice!

That is a great idea!:thumbsup:

[IntravenousDemilo]

24. Thanks.

Yeah, and what's more, Cohen's probably free right now.

I wonder if Pelosi and any of the other Democratic leadership ever visit this website.