The people most unhappy about Obama's decision to keep Gates at Defence are likely to be defence industry executives. This post from TPM's Yuri Applebaum outlines why the president-elect's choice to retain Bush's Sec Def is actually a signal that he intends to pursue bold change in that department. Gates is a tough, independently minded operator who knows the defence industry inside out, can't be bullied or hoodwinked, and has strong views on how to cut spending on unnecessary programs. Now he'll be able to have his way, with the full backing of his president.
In retaining Gates, Obama is sending a clear signal to the Pentagon bureaucracy that their usual strategy of stalling and out-lasting civilian appointees is going to fail; that he intends to pursue Gates' key reforms. And that's a decision which should make us all stand and cheer... Gates and his team have attacked a series of previously-sacrosanct weapons programs. They've done so in the absence of any material support from the Bush administration, and in the face of fierce opposition from the Democratic congress.
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