MSNBC just said Gates is about to speak about wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is this the Pentagon's

[Parker CA]

first attempt at hijacking the dialogue and setting their agenda? Yesterday there was an article about the WH having refuted claims from Betrayus that Obama had requested three time tables outlining an exit from Iraq.

This could be the beginning of their attempt to bully Obama into line with their thinking. Unfortunately for the Pentagon brass, the President they are dealing with now is not the idiot they worked for for the past eight years. I'm curious as to what will unfold with all of this.

[eleny]

1. Gates trying to bring Obama to heel?

He better not try it.

Do you know if it's being televised? I see that the only place I can get Bernanke right now is CNBC. There's so much going o today. I guess the web will carry Gates.

[nsd]

2. Gates works for Obama now.

I doubt there's anything nefarious going on -- anymore than when Geithner spoke about the bailout plan this morning.

[Thrill]

3. No, sounds like he was just saying Obama will make a decision

in the next days about troops in Afghanistan.

[Parker CA]

4. Looks like things were on the up and up, but after the memo yesterday about the WH denying

claims that they asked for three time tables, I'm guessing there are some balls already rolling in the Pentagon based on what THEY feel is best.

Time will tell, but regardless of their intentions, Obama is going to meet their efforts from a very solid perspective.

[Jennicut]

5. No. Gates will do what Obama asks of him.

He has no choice or he is out.

[Occam Bandage]

6. I have yet to see any evidence whatsoever that Gates is working against Obama.

Why surmise conflict arbitrarily?

[Rob Gregory Browne]

7. I believe Obama announced at his press conference

.. that Gates would be speaking today, which is why he didn't want to get into too many specifics about the wars, preferring to let Gates present his case today.

I could be wrong about that, but I seem to recall it.