Gates to sit out Obama inauguration

[WeDidIt]

Gates to sit out Obama inauguration

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US Defense Secretary Robert Gates will sit out Barack Obama's inauguration at an undisclosed location as the "designated successor" in the event of a catastrophe, the White House announced Monday.

While the eyes of the world are glued Tuesday to Obama's historic swearing-in, attended by outgoing US President George W. Bush and both outgoing and incoming senior aides, Gates will stay away, said spokeswoman Dana Perino.

"In order to ensure continuity of government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been designated by the outgoing administration, with the concurrence of the incoming administration, to serve as the designated successor during Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20th," Perino said.

It is common practice for one senior US official to sit out major events, like the annual State of the Union speech, to ensure that the US government has clear leadership in the event of a disaster or terrorist attack.

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[SteppingRazor]

1. What a lame headline for the article.

It makes it sound as if he's snubbing Obama, when that's clearly not the case.

[WeDidIt]

2. Agreed

Personally, the fact that it's Gates that will be at an undisclosed location makes me want to pray nothing happens tomorrow.

[SteppingRazor]

4. 20 hours and 25 minutes, my friend.

And counting...

[cynatnite]

3. Very misleading n/t

[bdamomma]

5. for some reason this doesn't sit well with me.

do I have this on :tinfoilhat: