Politics: USA: Gates to stay on as Defense Secretary in Obama's initial Cabinet

Yahoo! News carries a report by Associated Press's Beth Fouhy and David Espo, "Officials: Obama to ask Gates to stay at Pentagon," Nov25,2k8. The re-appointment, however temporary, underscores the remarkably astute moves President-Elect Barack Obama is making generally in shaping his Cabinet and Adminstration for its unprecedented tasks. Robert Gates is a registered Independent, appointed first by Pres. George W. Bush to replace the erstwhile Donald Rumsfeld, whose strategy is largely claimed to have failed in Iraq. Gates now has been appointed to the same post, by Bush's successor.

Meanwhile, former Republican candidate for President, John McCain, will continue to serve in the US Senate. He will be traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan soon, according to a Yahoo! News video report.

Update:
Gates to stay on for a year.
AP Analysis: Obama opts for establishment advisers. Excellent pix of Gen James Jones (retired Marine) as the new Administration's National Security Advisor in the Whitehouse.

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