The Gates Nomination

My take of the Robert Gates Confirmation Hearings and how he received a unanimous vote from a panel consisting of 13 Republicans and 11 Democrats can be seen in a variety of ways:

1 - ANYONE is better than Don Rumsfeld. This rationale isn't that far from the truth I suppose except for the fact that Gates himself was mired in scandal during the Iran-Contra hearings when he served as CIA Director. Gates, who is well known for his supreme memory, somehow "couldn't recall" answers to certain questions ask of him during the hearings, not once or twice, but THIRTY-THREE times. It is very interesting that Gates' Iran-Contra involvement was not a major theme at the hearings if touched on at all.

2 - Democrats didn't want to cause a ruckus immediately after the stunning mid-term election turnaround just one short month ago. One theory is perhaps they don't want to be perceived as those who will rock the boat at every turn in the eyes of centrists and moderate Republicans who voted Democratic this time around. Another theory is that maybe there is a strategy revolving around future fights being planned once the new Congressional Session begins in January. Now was not the time to come out with guns blazing.

3 - Did Bush make a deal? The Dems wanted Rumsferatu out. Maybe they sign off on Gates in return for Rumsfeld's boot out the door. Or perhaps it was Bolton's ousting. Even though "Mr. Diplomat" had no chance of being confirmed, it was somewhat surprising that W had a bit of a defeated look on his face during the Bolton resignation news conference, instead of his usual pompous air. Bush: "They chose to obstruct his confirmation..." Hmmm...

Only time will tell. I'm sure the "tell all" books will be in abundance in 2009.