Anti-war Activests pressure Obama to Fire Gates

Anti-war activists and arms control activists are pressurizing President-Elect Barack Obama to replace defense secretary Robert Gates with a more strident anti-war opinion.

Nominating Gates to stay “would be a violation of the mandate for change that Obama says he represents,” Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the large anti-war group Code Pink.

They say a better person the the postion is Sen. Chuck Hagel (Reb-Neb.) Someone who brings out what Code Pink likes about Gates such as his ability to deal with Russia, Iran, and Syria but with a position on the war that Code Pink finds more suitable.

Moderate democrats in congress such as Senator Harry Reid of Nevada support this move.

But when Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) promoted Gates appointment in a closed door meeting with Obama and House Democrats several months ago, he was booed by his colleagues.

“Senator Obama has talked about having a Cabinet of rivals along the lines of [Abraham] Lincoln, people who will not be intimidated to express a contrary view. He’s talked about the need to have a Cabinet that’s not an echo chamber, reflecting his own opinion.” Schiff said, adding Gates could bring such perspective to a young president’s inner circle, one that he may not have now.

Others suggest that Obama must appoint a Democrat so the party can shore up its national security credentials with voters. Among those being touted for the position are Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) , an Army veteran who traveled with Obama during his summer tour of Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

“The only reason Barack Obama is president today, the main reason Obama is president-elect, is because of his opposition to the war in Iraq,” and Gates, a former intelligence officer and Cold Warrior, was brought in to fix the war, not end it, a defense industry official said, adding, “He is so far outside the box of what Democrats want.”

The scenario most often floated by those closely watching Obama’s emerging defense team is this: Gates would remain at the Pentagon for six months to a year. Former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, or another Obama candidate, would be nominated as Gates’ deputy, who would take control of the Pentagon after Gates’ departure.