The Anti-Rummy?

**Hosakawa Tito** · 02-12-2007, 00:43

One Cold War Is Enough.

Now if Bush and Cheney will just shut up and let him do his job....time will tell.

**The Black Ship** · 02-12-2007, 00:50

Humor is a very powerful weapon, just ask Bush.

I do find it rich that the man most responsible for the Iran nuclear program blames the US, and not his customer. Convenient that.

**Vladimir** · 02-13-2007, 02:17

Originally Posted by The Black Ship

Humor is a very powerful weapon, just ask Bush.

I do find it rich that the man most responsible for the Iran nuclear program blames the US, and not his customer. Convenient that.

I agree. The hypocrisy is colossal. I wonder what he really wants.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 02-13-2007, 02:40

The pot accusing the kettle of being black, no doubt.

Amazing that no one else wishes to comment, but then bad news does seem to sell better...

**Redleg** · 02-13-2007, 07:21

Gates should do very well. However he also has a tendency to get rather blunt, which might not set well with some politians in the near future.

However I did like his response

**Xiahou** · 02-13-2007, 08:10

I don't understand the 'anti-Rummy' bit. Is this to imply that had it been Rumsfeld, he would've drawn a pistol and shot Putin in response or something similar? Their competencies aside, I think Rumsfeld was probably the more charismatic of the 2... Gates seems a bore by comparison.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing- it just "is".

**Geoffrey S** · 02-13-2007, 08:26

Presumably Rumsfeld would have been more along the lines of 'mind your own business'; Gates seems to be seeking actual diplomacy. A good sign.

**KukriKhan** · 02-13-2007, 14:26

Originally Posted by Xiahou

I don't understand the 'anti-Rummy' bit. Is this to imply that had it been Rumsfeld, he would've drawn a pistol and shot Putin in response or something similar?...

the Article: "...Without mentioning Rumsfeld's name, Gates said some people have tried to divide the allies along lines such as East and West, North and South.

"I'm even told that some have even spoken in terms of 'old' Europe versus 'new,'" Gates said. "All of these characterizations belong in the past."...

My worry there is that Mr. Gates seems to have taken on 2 portfolio's, Defense and State. Both may be too much for one guy to handle, and could engender more intra-staff political infighting between DoD & Dept o'State; we've seen that before, with cross-signals and other bad results.

**Redleg** · 02-13-2007, 18:04

Originally Posted by KukriKhan

My worry there is that Mr. Gates seems to have taken on 2 portfolio's, Defense and State. Both may be too much for one guy to handle, and could engender more intra-staff political infighting between DoD & Dept o'State; we've seen that before, with cross-signals and other bad results.

Yep - Mr Gates at times gets very blunt and to the point. From the Defense Department side of things its a good thing - but however when it gets into foreign politics it can be overstepping his office.

But nevertheless - I like Gates because of this trait. A blunt man is rarely dishonest in his approach.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 02-14-2007, 00:15

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Presumably Rumsfeld would have been more along the lines of 'mind your own business'; Gates seems to be seeking actual diplomacy. A good sign.

Xiahou, this sums up my feelings on it too. In the public eye, this was the way to handle it, and not rise to the bait while the cameras are rolling. In private conversation I would expect him to be as blunt as needed. I don't think Rumsfeld handled the "on the record" diplomacy bit very well.