12/4/2014 Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership | Washington Times Communities

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014 - A-List on Americanism by Rich Valdes

NEW YORK, NY, January 7, 2014 — Former head of the CIA andSecretary of Defense Robert Gates, who served under the administrationsof both President George W. Bush and President Barak Obama,questions Obama’s leadership in his new book Duty: Memoirs of asecretary at War scheduled for release on January 14th, 2014.

Gates criticizes Obama for a lack of commitment to the mission of theAfghan War, and for allowing President Biden to sway his opinion ofsenior military leaders. One quote from ‘Duty’ says, “As I sat there Ithought: The president doesn’t trust his commander, can’t stand Karzai,doesn’t believe in his own strategy and doesn’t consider the war to be his.For him, it’s all about getting out.”

Gates goes even deeper in his critique of the president’s leadership. Hewrites, “The president was “skeptical if not outright convinced it would fail,”also writing that he never doubted Obama’s support for the troops, he onlydoubted Obama’s support for their mission, according to a WashingtonPost Book Review

With regard to Vice President Joe Biden, Gates, quipped, “I think he hasbeen wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national securityissue over the past four decades.”

The white house responded in a statement disagreeing with Gates andtouting Biden’s record.

Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership

Photo: AP

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12/4/2014 Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership | Washington Times Communities

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It seems that differences in opinion with the two past commanders-in-chiefdid less to wear down Gates than did dealing with a polarized Congressand Washington bureaucracies that put self before country.

In an essay published by The Wall Street Journal, Gates wrote: “All toooften during my 4½ years as secretary of defense, when I found myselfsitting yet again at that witness table at yet another congressional hearing,I was tempted to stand up, slam the briefing book shut and quit on thespot. The exit lines were on the tip of my tongue: I may be the secretary ofdefense, but I am also an American citizen, and there is no son of a bitchin the world who can talk to me like that. I quit. Find somebody else. Itwas, I am confident, a fantasy widely shared throughout the executivebranch.”

About the Author:

Rich Valdes is a regular writer for The Washington Times Communities,entrepreneur, and a former official in New Jersey Governor ChrisChristie’s Administration. As a leader, communicator, and strategic coach,Rich has a track record of success in leadership, marketing, eventplanning, and government service. Learn more about him atwww.RichValdes.com and follow on Twitter @richvaldes

This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com.Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC

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12/4/2014 Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership | Washington Times Communities

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• Reply •

Richie Nearsen • a year ago

Might Obama's "weak leadership" apply to his electing to keep the now-blubberingback-stabbing Gates on as our president's and our nation's secretary of defense?

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• Reply •

Richard Kuenstler • 10 months ago> Richie Nearsen

haha... you're an idiot. △ ▽

• Reply •

MiamiEddy • a year ago

A little late Gates, why didn't we hear from you earlier, was it the better retirement???? 1△ ▽

• Reply •

JoninMaryland • a year ago

This is such a ridiculous right-wing lie. I heard Gates interviewed this morning by JoeScarborough. He didn't come anywhere close to "blasting" President Obama for"weak leadership." Instead, he expressed approbation for nearly every decisionPresident Obama has made as it affects foreign policy, and he repeatedly pointed outthat many of Obama's decisions have been courageous. The idea that Gates is"blasting" Obama in this book is just false. More, it's a lie the right-wing noise machineis trying to gin up into a frenzy of more Obama hatred. Sickening behavior from certainelements of the right, as per usual.

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• Reply •

MiamiEddy • a year ago> JoninMaryland

That why every nation in the Middle East is falling apart and the area is in totaldisarray and Iran poise to take over.

2△ ▽

• Reply •

HollyRae101 • a year ago

"weak leadership"?

Incompetent Obama is the weak leader of liberal fools. 3△ ▽

• Reply •

Guest • a year ago> HollyRae101

When you base on all the lies, this prez is a shame. Wake up people. 3△ ▽

• Reply •

Guest • a year ago> HollyRae101

I wonder how you characterize the opposition that he has cornered, now forabout five years ?

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• Reply •

Odayman • a year ago

In his book Gates agrees with Obama's policy decisions - he just didn't like hisattitude or style. Gates' endorsement of Obama's policies is an important affirmationfrom a well respected analyst and practitioner of national defense and foreignrelations.

1△ ▽

HollyRae101 • a year ago> Odayman

Liberal fool,... please explain some of Obama's important policy decisions...

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12/4/2014 Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership | Washington Times Communities

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/-list-americanism/2014/jan/8/robert-gates-blasts-obama-weak-leadership/ 4/6

• Reply •

Liberal fool,... please explain some of Obama's important policy decisions...Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Israel, North Korea,... ?

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• Reply •

Facebuooksucks Guitarz • a year ago> HollyRae101

If he explains Obamas policy decisions that were right youd still look asconfused as a puppy you make fart noises with your tongue at

1△ ▽

• Reply •

Odayman • a year ago> HollyRae101

Reading comprehension is not your forte'. I said that in his book Gatesstated agreement with Obama's policy decisions. I didn't say that I did.Read the book.

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• Reply •

Mark O'Neill • a year ago

I know quite a few people in the intelligence community and in Special Operations.Most of them say that morale is pretty low under Obama.

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• Reply •

Facebuooksucks Guitarz • a year ago> Mark O'Neill

Im sure he captains you know in the salvation army have low moral what withChristmas over and having to hang up their bells

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• Reply •

Guest • a year ago

Gates is a coward. He took over from Rumsfeld and managed a disastrous war policy.If he had had any integrity he would have resigned himself, rather than resigning somany US troops to massive injury or death.

This pathetic attempt to escape responsibility is pretty despicable. △ ▽

• Reply •

Guest • a year ago> Guest

Idiot △ ▽

• Reply •

Guest • a year ago> Guest

No,I think coward is better. His management was a failure. One has toassume that if he was out of his depth he would have resigned. So nowhe wants to point his finger at someone else.

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• Reply •

Alan Sabrosky • a year ago> Guest

Agree in theory, but I cannot remember the last time a political appointee inany department, or any senior officer, ever resigned over a difference in policy.Some resigned at a president's direction, and some to evade being fired if theydid not resign. But resignation on principle? Don't think it happens.

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• Reply •

GeoWashington1787 • a year ago

If you saw the movie, "Lone Survivor" this week and realized who our Heroes are inAmerica, then you look at Benghazi and realize that Obama wouldn't do all he could tosave our Seals there, it really shows that Obama is not only weak but he's a sadexample of poor leadership in everything he does. God bless our military.

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• Reply •

Turbo_lancer • a year ago

Gates unlike his bosses was not elected to his position. Will there be a book writtenabout Gates from critics? I doubt it, not much known about him . Maybe he should runfor an elected office. Not that I generally agree with Democrats in National politics, Idon't. There are always 2 sides of a "coin".

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Washwill • a year ago

There is no leadership in the Whitehouse. Vindiction rules the day. It is a form ofjustice, a way of getting back for so-called injustices of days gone by. This is a facet

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12/4/2014 Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership | Washington Times Communities

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• Reply •

justice, a way of getting back for so-called injustices of days gone by. This is a facetof liberal philosphy having origins in the 1950s and 60s. A skewed philosophy of thelate 20th century that now dominates America in the absence of any other viablemodern day philosophy and plays on a false sense of guilt.

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• Reply •

ThinkingGuy • a year ago

Before this group tries to turn Gate's book into a right wing wet dream, you shouldknow it also contains these comments about Obama and Clinton.

"I believe Obama was right in each one of these decisions (Afghanistan)." He also hasstrong praise for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In another section, Gates commends Obama's intelligence and character.

I am sure Clinton will appreciate his comments as gets ready to announce hercandidacy for 2016.

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• Reply •

Bedouin2015 • a year ago> ThinkingGuy

Nice job trying to circle the wagons around your false Messiah. Just too badthat the reality is that he's an incompetent fool in way over his head as Gatesastutely points out.

7△ ▽

• Reply •

ThinkingGuy • a year ago> Bedouin2015

Watch for Gates comments being made public today. He is now sayinghis depiction of Obama and Afghanistan is being totally misrepresentedby the press.

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• Reply •

guest • a year ago> ThinkingGuy

Hey Thinking Guy, You must drink that Kool-Aid that the Dem's and Lib's mixup and send out free hugh????????????????

4△ ▽

• Reply •

flicker66 • a year ago> ThinkingGuy

Obama does not have the intelligence or "CHARACTER" to be President. He'shas all the attributes of a liar conniver and schemer. What a shame . He wasvoted into office because of his skin color. not because he could lead thegreatest nationi. the world

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• Reply •

daisyness • a year ago

"The president doesn’t trust his commander, can’t stand Karzai, doesn’t believe in his own strategy and doesn’t consider the war to be his. For him, it’s all about getting out.”

Sounds like we are talking about a confused teenager, not a president of the USA anda commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The current results are proof.

10△ ▽

Edward E • a year ago> daisyness

“Multiculturalism” is a program that is FORCED upon EVERY & ONLY Whitecountries.

“Multiculturalism” is a program to turn EVERY White country into a non-Whitecountry.

This IS geNOcide. WHITE geNOcide.

If you are White, and you object to your own geNOcide, you are called aRACIST!

Well guess what, my people, White people, are catching on very quickly to thefollowing two things:

1 – Multiculturalism is a code for White geNOcide.

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12/4/2014 Robert Gates blasts Obama for weak leadership | Washington Times Communities

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• Reply •

2 – Anti-racist is a code for anti-White. 2△ ▽

• Reply •

daisyness • a year ago> Edward E

How about being a human being who's worth lies in honesty, humility,honor and individual responsibility regardless of pigmentation? Howabout being an American who values our Constitution and freedom andour military who has been responsible for maintaining our freedom? Globalization, internationalism, multiculturalism = all designed todestroya national entity who surrenders freedom for promises of false security.

. . . just my opinion. 1△ ▽

• Reply •

Ralphiec88 • a year ago

Think anyone in Congress will listen to his criticisms of them? Or will they go straightto picking out the quote that best suits their story line and spin it for all it's worth?Everyone knows the answer.

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• Reply •

generationpolitics • a year ago

Sounds like a bitter old man who wants some attention. He was let go for a reason. △ ▽

• Reply •

Guest • 10 months ago> generationpolitics

Fools rush in where wise men fear to trend and you are not a wise man ! △ ▽

• Reply •

Sonshine • a year ago> generationpolitics

Obama asked Gates to stay on after taking office; Obama needed Gatesbecause he know Gates was not political and only served to protect anddefend the US against her enemies.

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• Reply •

Ralphiec88 • a year ago> generationpolitics

Get a grip. He wasn't "let go". He served his country with integrity doing one ofthe most challenging, stressful, and frightening jobs in the world.

9△ ▽

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