Gates Says He Hasn't Seen Sen. Clinton's Original Letter

[journalist3072]

So we learn from today's Washington Post that Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he has not seen Sen. Clinton's original letter to him, in which she requested details for U.S. plans to withdraw from Iraq.

From the Washington Post:

In a statement, Gates said that he had not seen Clinton's original letter, but he added that he welcomes congressional involvement.

"I have long been a staunch advocate of Congressional oversight, first at the CIA and now at the Defense Department," Gates said. "I have said on several occasions in recent months that I believe that Congressional debate on Iraq has been constructive and appropriate. I had not seen Senator Clinton's reply to Ambassador Edelman's letter until today. I am looking into the issues she raised and will respond to them early next week." (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/20/AR2007072002124.html)

This revelation, in my mind, raises one major question: just who is in charge at the Department of Defense?

Robert Gates needs to ask himself why is it that he has not seen a letter from a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which has oversight of the Department of Defense?

You would think that, as Secretary of Defense, he would ensure that he sees all correspondence originating from members of Congress, and especially one on the Armed Services Committee.

And he needs to ask himself why an Undersecretary was allowed to respond to that member of Congress, with a purely political response, and not a response that addresses the serious policy questions posed.

Just who is running the Department of Defense?

[acmavm]

1. Who's running the DoD? The same evil bastard that's running

everything else. Cheney, of couse.

They just name people to head agencies. They're the front men for the handful of criminals in the White House who are pulling the strings and claiming executive privilege.

[saltpoint]

2. I'm thinking, hey, if I were runinng the Pentagon, I'd at least read my damn mail.

Maybe even hire some administrative assistants to sort it and prioritize it. Who knows -- maybe let fly and get a date-stampe and a mail room.

But that's just me.

[journalist3072]

8. Exactly right! You know, when this first came to light a few days ago

I was thinking that Gates read Clinton's original letter, and he delegated it to Edelman to respond.

I was truly floored this morning after reading that he never even saw the letter. That's just unacceptable.

[blondeatlast]

3. does the buck stop with you, Secretary Gates? It's a supervisor's job to GEt the letter

or be shown for the incompetent, ineffectual, bootlicking crony you are.

Your choice, sir...

[eleny]

4. To your questions....

He got caught with his pants down and now he's using the Sgt. Schultz defense. "I know nothing!"

[atreides1]

5. "Just who is running the Department of Defense? "

The Emperor is running the DoD, just like he's running the DoJ and all of the other parts of the Executive Branch, and let's not forget that he also controls most ot the Judicial Branch and parts of the Legislative Branch as well.

In other words, King George is a unitary executive, just ask Samuel"I'd sell out the Constitution" Alito!!!!!!

[Bongo Prophet]

6. Gates should know that Edelman is his KEEPER

Edelman = Cheney's boy.
Like Powell had a keeper, and others not quite BFEE level1


Gee, shouldn't that trouble old Bob Gates that the family he has served for so long needs to keep an eye on him?

Irony abounds.

On edit: Yeah, that was a babylon 5 reference. :hi:

[KharmaTrain]

7. Good Cop/Bad Cop Game

This regime played it with Colin Powell. He was the assumed "voice of reason"...the adult among the juveniles in the executive. He was never directly tainted to anything and the corporate media turned to him as a "calming" voice...the ultimate non-denial denial. And what was Colin's usual defense? He didn't know. And we know he didn't. It was a deliberate ruse that allows a political hit to go down unchallenged and a regime mouthpiece left holding the bag where the "controversy" is smooth-talked away.

After Powell left, Rove must have noticed that he didn't have s useful foil...despite attempts to make Condi into one (she was just too inept for even that role). Well they got one in Gates. He comes across as such a "reasonable" fellow. He talks "reasonable" talk...he is a contrast to Rummy's intense and a "darn nice guy". He's the perfect screen for a goon like Edeleman to shoot memes now that will become talking points next year.