Barack Obama has blasted nearly every element of George W. Bush's defense policy, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Iran. But the Democratic nominee for President, if elected, might very well keep Bush's Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates.
Yeah, I'm just as surprised as you are.
This Sunday's Times of London quotes Obama national security advsier and former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig as saying: “My personal position is Gates is a very good secretary of defense and would be an even better one in an Obama administration.”
That's quite a statement, from Danzig, a man who could himself "become the next secretary of defense," as NPR recently noted. So I asked him whether the quote was accurate, or had been taken out of context. Nope, Danzig replied. In fact, he had made it about ten days earlier, to the L.A. Times. And he hadn't changed his mind since.
So what gives here? How could Obama -- who's running to turn the page on the Bush White House's foreign and military portfolio -- look to keep that book in Gates' hands?
Obama's defense team certainly has serious beefs with Bush's military and diplomatic decisions -- to launch the war, to take resources from Afghanistan, to refuse serious talks with Iran. But, from my limited discussions with Danzig and others, the thing that really pisses them off was the management of the Pentagon during the Bush years. The spiraling budgets, the lack of accountability, the slipped deadlines, the circumventing of the chain of command, the politicization of policy -- to former Defense Department stewards like Danzig, those were the real horror shows.
But since Gates has been brought in, things have started to turn. Budgets have begun to return to reality. People lose their jobs when they can't do them right. Experts in their fields are being heard. Sound policy is often trumping adherence to political orthodoxy. And the Pentagon is slowly, slowly starting to focus on today's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. That's the attraction of Gates.
Folks like Andrew Sullivan have written about Obama's conservative, don't-do-anything-dumb-and-radical temperament. That goes for military policy, too.
Back in May, I wrote, "Look, I know no Democrat is going to keep a Republican Defense Secretary around. But if McCain winds up in the Oval Office, I vote that Gates stays at the Pentagon."
Gates insists he's done, either way, in January, 09: "The circumstances under which I would [continue on] are inconceivable to me."
But Barack Obama seems like a pretty persuasive guy.
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
Which wouldn't be a problem if GM made cars that could compete outside the US...
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
It might have more to do with the fact that they're not building any vehicles that people want. Two of their eight brands (Hummer, GMC) make nothing but SUVs and Large Trucks, the sales of which have dropped through the floor in the last 18 months. Furthermore, only three (Chevy, Pontiac, Saturn) of the other six brands make any fuel-efficient models - Buick, Cadillac, and Saab aren't really known for their cost-effectiveness.
Hedgethorn on
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HedgethornAssociate Professor of Historical Hobby HorsesIn the Lions' DenRegistered Userregular
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
If you look past just the current month, though, Toyota has been closing the gap with GM. GM's share has been dropping for many months, while Toyota has been gaining (or at least dropping more slowly).
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
If you look past just the current month, though, Toyota has been closing the gap with GM. GM's share has been dropping for many months, while Toyota has been gaining (or at least dropping more slowly).
because the Prius is the automotive sales equivalent of the Wii?
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
If you look past just the current month, though, Toyota has been closing the gap with GM. GM's share has been dropping for many months, while Toyota has been gaining (or at least dropping more slowly).
because the Prius is the automotive sales equivalent of the Wii?
I want one of those ridiculous tiny SMART cars. I got a picture of one on my cell in a parking lot. I've never seen one before. :P
Cantido on
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GoslingLooking Up Soccer In Mongolia Right Now, ProbablyWatertown, WIRegistered Userregular
edited July 2008
Phalla springs up, but the 538 momentum index rolls on. During my co-hosting, I'll only be doing a reduced version- I'll just count up the states in the state index rather than listing them, and we'll dump the notes of interest.
4%-plus: Florida- Down from 34% to 30%. New Hampshire- Up from 80% to 84%.
State index: Winning, gaining ground: 20 states. Losing, gaining ground: 6 states. Winning, losing ground: Nothing. Losing, losing ground: 7 states.
Overall: Up from 67.4% to 68.8%.
Gosling on
I have a new soccer blog The Minnow Tank. Reading it psychically kicks Sepp Blatter in the bean bag.
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
If you look past just the current month, though, Toyota has been closing the gap with GM. GM's share has been dropping for many months, while Toyota has been gaining (or at least dropping more slowly).
because the Prius is the automotive sales equivalent of the Wii?
I want one of those ridiculous tiny SMART cars. I got a picture of one on my cell in a parking lot. I've never seen one before. :P
I have only ever seen them on Top Gear, where they were ruthlessly mocked.
But then, Clarkson makes fun of anything that doesn't have powwwwahhh.
Phalla springs up, but the 538 momentum index rolls on. During my co-hosting, I'll only be doing a reduced version- I'll just count up the states in the state index rather than listing them, and we'll dump the notes of interest.
4%-plus: Florida- Down from 34% to 30%. New Hampshire- Up from 80% to 84%.
State index: Winning, gaining ground: 20 states. Losing, gaining ground: 6 states. Winning, losing ground: Nothing. Losing, losing ground: 7 states.
Overall: Up from 67.4% to 68.8%.
New avatar, huh? Who is that, Lisa Ling?
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HedgethornAssociate Professor of Historical Hobby HorsesIn the Lions' DenRegistered Userregular
I don't know what to think about the models, but there is no better site if you want to know what the present polling data suggests or if you just want someone who clearly understands statistics explain what the polls really mean.
That's... a pretty bad evaluation of why GM is failing, Cantido.
Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
If you look past just the current month, though, Toyota has been closing the gap with GM. GM's share has been dropping for many months, while Toyota has been gaining (or at least dropping more slowly).
because the Prius is the automotive sales equivalent of the Wii?
The Camry and to a lesser extent the Corolla. They're like the standard sedan anymore, rather than the impala or whatever. A Prius is more for the conspicuous hippie types with money.
The liberal blogosphere was aflame today with new accusations that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) is trying to win the 2008 presidential election.
Suspicions about Sen. Obama's true motives have been building over the past few weeks, but not until today have the bloggers called him out for betraying the Democratic Party's losing tradition.
"Barack Obama seems to be making a very calculated attempt to win over 270 electoral votes," wrote liberal blogger Carol Foyler at LibDemWatch.com, a blog read by a half-dozen other liberal bloggers. "He must be stopped."
But those comments were not nearly as strident as those of Tracy Klugian, whose blog LoseOn.org has backed unsuccessful Democratic candidates since 2000.
"Increasingly, Barack Obama's message is becoming more accessible, appealing, and yes, potentially successful," he wrote. "Any Democrat who voted for Dukakis, Mondale or Kerry should regard this as a betrayal."
Liberal bloggers said that they would be watching Sen. Obama's vice-presidential selection process "very closely" for signs that he is plotting to win the election.
"Barack Obama still has a chance to pick someone disastrous as a sign that he wants to lose this thing," Ms. Foyler wrote. "If not, he should brace himself for some really mean blog posts."
Phalla springs up, but the 538 momentum index rolls on. During my co-hosting, I'll only be doing a reduced version- I'll just count up the states in the state index rather than listing them, and we'll dump the notes of interest.
4%-plus: Florida- Down from 34% to 30%. New Hampshire- Up from 80% to 84%.
State index: Winning, gaining ground: 20 states. Losing, gaining ground: 6 states. Winning, losing ground: Nothing. Losing, losing ground: 7 states.
Overall: Up from 67.4% to 68.8%.
New avatar, huh? Who is that, Lisa Ling?
The sig gave it away, right?
Gosling on
I have a new soccer blog The Minnow Tank. Reading it psychically kicks Sepp Blatter in the bean bag.
I thought Toyota built cars in Tenessee. Or Alabama. Somewhere like that with crappy labor laws. Your comment makes me wonder where the heartland is commonly defined.
You can read automobile blogs (and history) and trace the creation of video game fanboys from automotive fanboys. I drove a crappy old Ford as a teenager, but I wouldn't translate the 1986 model experience to a 2009 model if I was buying a car.
I thought Toyota built cars in Tenessee. Or Alabama. Somewhere like that with crappy labor laws. Your comment makes me wonder where the heartland is commonly defined.
There's a Toyota factory in Kentucky, if that's what you're thinking.
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Might have something to do with the fact that the money from one out of every eight cars they make goes right to the lifetime healthcare they promised their unions.
You will not catch me, or anyone in my family, living or dead, in an American car.
interesting, but i really doubt he will
Which wouldn't be a problem if GM made cars that could compete outside the US...
And yet it was just reported that GM and Toyota have both lost around 20% of their market share.
Probably just a coincidence, rather than this far out idea that neither company correctly predicted the consumer demand for smaller cars.
Why don't you like Toyota? My Mom loves them.
It might have more to do with the fact that they're not building any vehicles that people want. Two of their eight brands (Hummer, GMC) make nothing but SUVs and Large Trucks, the sales of which have dropped through the floor in the last 18 months. Furthermore, only three (Chevy, Pontiac, Saturn) of the other six brands make any fuel-efficient models - Buick, Cadillac, and Saab aren't really known for their cost-effectiveness.
If you look past just the current month, though, Toyota has been closing the gap with GM. GM's share has been dropping for many months, while Toyota has been gaining (or at least dropping more slowly).
because the Prius is the automotive sales equivalent of the Wii?
I want one of those ridiculous tiny SMART cars. I got a picture of one on my cell in a parking lot. I've never seen one before. :P
4%-plus:
Florida- Down from 34% to 30%.
New Hampshire- Up from 80% to 84%.
State index:
Winning, gaining ground: 20 states.
Losing, gaining ground: 6 states.
Winning, losing ground: Nothing.
Losing, losing ground: 7 states.
Overall: Up from 67.4% to 68.8%.
Seriously?
I have only ever seen them on Top Gear, where they were ruthlessly mocked.
But then, Clarkson makes fun of anything that doesn't have powwwwahhh.
New avatar, huh? Who is that, Lisa Ling?
I don't know what to think about the models, but there is no better site if you want to know what the present polling data suggests or if you just want someone who clearly understands statistics explain what the polls really mean.
The Camry and to a lesser extent the Corolla. They're like the standard sedan anymore, rather than the impala or whatever. A Prius is more for the conspicuous hippie types with money.
And the Think is totally cuter than a Smart.
FiveThirtyEight is predicting the odds that Barack Obama will win the election in November, not if the election were held tomorrow.
If it were trying to predict who would win in an election tomorrow, it gives Obama something like 90% chance of winning.
This is why no matter how well either side is doing, at least for the next couple of months it will probably never break 80%.
dealerships must be making a profit since they are usually selling them above the price recommended by toyota
you mean 車株式会社 (,Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki-gaisha)?
yeah, that came straight from the heartland of the good ol' US of A
I've never heard of San Antonio or Fremont, California referred to as the heartland, but okay.
Huge chart of Americanness of a car: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-03-21-car-content-chart_N.htm
I thought Toyota built cars in Tenessee. Or Alabama. Somewhere like that with crappy labor laws. Your comment makes me wonder where the heartland is commonly defined.
You can read automobile blogs (and history) and trace the creation of video game fanboys from automotive fanboys. I drove a crappy old Ford as a teenager, but I wouldn't translate the 1986 model experience to a 2009 model if I was buying a car.
There's a Toyota factory in Kentucky, if that's what you're thinking.
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Does he hold the steering wheel with the hand he refuses to put over his heart?
~ Buckaroo Banzai
But people still don't want him at their barbecues.
What's arugula?
I'll admit, I laughed pretty hard at this.
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