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Robert Gates Is New Defense Secretary

By Justin Gardner | Related entries in The War On Terrorism

It wasn’t even close, but the no votes may surprise you.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Senate voted 95-2 Wednesday to approve Robert Gates as President Bush’s choice to replace Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary.

The vote came a day after the nomination sailed through the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Gates, a former CIA director, will be sworn in December 18.

Two Republican senators — Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Jim Bunning of Kentucky — cast the only no votes.

So why did they vote against?

First Bunning…

“Mr. Gates has repeatedly criticized our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, without providing any viable solutions to the problems our troops currently face,” Bunning said in a statement entered into the Senate record.

Then Santorum…

“We are sleepwalking through the storm,” Santorum said. “How do those who deny this evil propose to save us from these people? By negotiating through the U.N. or directly with Iran? By firing Don Rumsfeld, (and) now getting rid of John Bolton? That’s going to solve the problem?”

He said he felt Gates is not “up to the task.”

Oh well, he’s in and hopefully he’ll provide a more reasoned voice in the WoT.

We shall see.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 6th, 2006 and is filed under The War On Terrorism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “Robert Gates Is New Defense Secretary”

probligo Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Hey!! Santorum!! You reckon that the policies of three years back, or even six months back, were working?

“Sleepwalking through the storm”? Sure you have - for the past three nightmares.

Time for a new way. ANY new way!
Bob J Young Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Didn’t the residents of Pennsylvania just decide that Santorum wasn’t up to the task? Thank god this is the last time we have to hear from this idiot.

Bunning on the other hand, is such an unethical piece of work he makes Santorum look good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Bunning
sleipner Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Those two voting against him actually makes me feel better about his selection…maybe he’s not as much of a loser as almost all of Bush’s other appointments…
statusquomustgo Says:
December 10th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
I don’t get it… these people are all recycled criminals that lied to congress during the 80’s. He was into Iran contra up to his azz.

Please somebody… READ HISTORY!!!!!!!!

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