The Pathos of Robert Gates (Admits US Has No Strategy in Libya)

NYSlimes ^ | 4/1/2011 | Ross Douthat

[mojito]

In his testimony on Capitol Hill yesterday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made what amounted to an eloquent, even impassioned case against United States involvement in Libya. He highlighted the weakness of the rebel forces: Calling them an opposition is “a misnomer,” he suggested, describing the rebels as “very disparate, very scattered,” “lacking command and control and lacking organization,” and “pretty much a pickup ballgame at this point.” Their “governance capacity” for a post-Qaddafi Libya, he added, is “limited, if not nonexistent.” He put great stress on America’s pre-existing commitments: “I am preoccupied with avoiding mission creep, avoiding an open-ended, very large scale commitment in this respect … The last thing this country needs is another exercise in nationbuilding.” And he basically threatened to resign if the White House somehow decided to send ground forces into Libya: “Not as long as I’m in this job,” he said, when asked about the possibility of putting (non-C.I.A.) boots on the ground.

Unfortunately, Gates lost the original argument over intervention, and we are involved in Libya — which means that the Secretary’s insistence on the most limited military intervention possible leaves the United States without a credible strategy for achieving its political objectives.

[mojito]

Shockingly, these remarks, despite being delivered to Congress and containing the bombshell that Gates might resign over the Libyan involvement, were not widely reported by the MSM.

Strange, isn't it?

[boomop1]

Stuck on stupid.

[org.whodat]

I’m sure they will get around to reporting it on fox just as soon as Gretta gets back from aruba.

[Judges Gone Wild]

Trump is correct. He said if the Arab League wants Khadafy replaced, let them pay for the mission. It’s not clear what Obama wants, other than for all Libyans to join hands together.

[TexasCajun]

At least Gates got to testify without Hillary around to shut him up.

[Sacajaweau]

Gates said he would retire in 2011...I'd say sooner rather than later. Gates is furious....and I'd say embarrassed that Obama didn't listen to him. After all, the Secretary of Defense is privy to mucho info...AND GATES HAS A LOT OF INSIDERS INFO FROM HIS PREVIOUS POSITIONS.

I'd say Obama has thrown Gates under the bus.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Quagmire.

[mojito]

I'd say Obama has thrown Gates under the bus.

I'd say you're right. Gates has been shown the door. He'll be gone by September. I thought Hillary would be gone too, but she seems to have a new lease on life as a parrot of the Valerie Jarret/two Susan's view of the world.

[SoCal SoCon]

Better for Mr. Gates to resign with dignity than have to serve under 0 until 2012 or, God help us, 2016.

[Sacajaweau]

I think Hillary will be right behind Gates. I really think she hates what she’s doing right now....and wants out. Her support for Obama and this attack is a red herring.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks mojito.

"I am preoccupied with avoiding mission creep, avoiding an open-ended, very large scale commitment in this respect ... The last thing this country needs is another exercise in nationbuilding." And he basically threatened to resign if the White House somehow decided to send ground forces into Libya: "Not as long as I'm in this job,"

If this isn't widely reported, well, it's because it's not their scoop. Y'know, in the same way that Monica's semen-stained dress, the missing FBI files, various Clinton rapes, and anything other than Ken Starr's budget were not their scoop during the 1990s.

Gates is going to be handed a cardboard box to clean out his tent pretty soon.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Maybe this will on the Sunday Morning shows....HA!!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lost a be:

**************

Maybe this will be on the Sunday Morning shows....HA!!!

[Marine_Uncle]

I watched in full both hearings by the HR and the Senate. CSPAN is a valuable service in this regards. One can watch and hear each Congress Person actually ask their questions, as well as what the guests have to say. In a pinch what is written in this article pretty much reflects what went on in those two hearings. And for the record...Gates did literally say "not on my watch" during the HR session when asked if there would be any boots on the ground. He did not use that term but emphatically answered no regarding the boots on the ground question posed more then once during the Senate hearing.
In both hearings he and Mullins looked completely drained as well as irritated to no end.
I felt sorry for them. The Pentagon was pushed into a bunch of crap it wanted no parts of since day one.

[slowhandluke]

He said if the Arab League wants Khadafy replaced, let them pay for the mission.

I'd go further down that line of thinking. Let the Arab League put their own lives at risk, as well as their own money. The USA armed forces should not be used as mercenaries.

[happygrl]

The USA armed forces should not be used as mercenaries.

The Saudis have been referring to our Armed Forces as their "white, Christian Army" ever since The Gulf War.

Modern day Jannissaries.

After the blow up in Afghanistan over the Koran-burning, killing innocent UN workers, I want no part of any saving action for Muslims.

I want a quarantine with their part of the world.

The fact that Petraeus has been put in a position to rail against the First Amendment in defense of a priviledged "religion" makes me ill.

Last week six American soldiers were killed there, and March's total deaths were double February's.

I want our men home.