Defense Secretary Bob Gates has been talking recently about how to rebuild America's national security architecture so that it fits the 21st century. The next president should think about assigning Gates to fix what he rightly says is broken.
Gates is an anomaly in this lame-duck administration. He is still firing on all cylinders, working to repair the damage done at the Pentagon by his arrogant and aloof predecessor, Donald Rumsfeld. Gates has restored accountability in the military services by firing the secretaries of the Army and Air Force when they failed to respond forthrightly to problems. And he has been an early and persuasive internal administration critic of US military action against Iran.
Amazingly for a defense secretary, Gates has been arguing against the "creeping militarization" of foreign policy. In a speech last month, he urged more funding for the State Department and other civilian agencies, saying they have been "chronically undermanned and underfunded for far too long." In Washington, that's almost unheard of -- sticking your neck out for the other guy -- and it's one reason Gates's reputation has been steadily rising...
More to include a proposal for a 'Gates Commission' to revise the basic framework of the National Security Act of 1947.
Comments
I'm not at all sure what actions at Guantanamo are either unfortunate or embarrassing but I suppose that's attributable to one's perspective. My personal view of all IGs (with which I've had long experience) is that the more lethargy from them, the better for all concerned -- they have a disconcerting ability to rattle on about minutia and ignore problems. All of them. Waste of time and money.
That aside, I essentially agree with your statement that there's plenty of talent in this country and would suggest that most of it lies outside the beltway. Unfortunately, we are confronted with the problem that most of that talent wants nothing to do with public service due to the effective efforts of our totally clueless media to trash anything and everything to do with that service while paradoxically calling for MORE government involvement in everything.
I routinely vote out all incumbents, for only three three people have I not done so in hundred or more votes but I also suggest that if a person is doing a better than usual job -- in itself unusual (pun intended) -- he or she might well be retained or otherwise employed.
I think that means that a patent discard and renew is no better than a keep them all until they atrophy.
If you'd ever plowed, you'd know that one does constantly look back...
That there remains unfortunate and embarrassing actions occurring at GITMO and continued lethargy within the DoD IGs would not indicate the promise of a "fixer".
There is broad talent resources for positive "fixing" within this country grown outside the Beltway salon elite upon which the nation can tap for a much needed change.
"Do you intend to look back as you drive the plow?" This would be a better question for a Presidential debate.
<I>"The next president should think about assigning Gates to fix what he rightly says is broken."</I>
This is great. I hope that people across the political spectrum keep raising this issue. I would like to see this become such a non-controversial, no-brainer of a good idea that both candidates feel the need to pledge to ask Secretary Gates to remain on board for at least the first couple years of their administration.
I hope it is a question asked in one of the "debates." "Senators, a question for both of you. Will you pledge to ask Secretary Gates to remain as Defense Secretary for the first two years of your administration?" That would be sweet.