Does Bob Gates count as a Republican?

Posted By Blake Hounshell Sunday, November 9, 2008 - 7:13 PM Share

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has indicated that he wants to appoint Republicans to his cabinet, and rumor has it negotiations are underway to keep current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in office past January 20. But would Gates really count as a bipartisan pick if he's technically not a Republican?

Below is an exchange between CNN's John King and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Sunday's Late Editon: 

KING: There's been some talk of keeping Secretary Gates on for some time. Is that acceptable to you?

REID: Sure. I think we need a good transition there. I am confident that Senator Obama has somebody in mind for secretary of defense but Gates -- you know, it's interesting, my conversation with Secretary Gates, he's not even a Republican. Why wouldn't we want to keep him? He's never been a registered Republican.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

EXPLORE:OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
 

KEITH114

3:13 PM ET

November 10, 2008

So, you show bipartisanship

So, you show bipartisanship by being excited that a man you want to appoint is not a Republican, and that is a good thing?

This is what we are to expect?

Also, according to Washington Post voting records, there were two Democrats that voted against the nomination of Robert Gates to the Secretary of Defense position.

One of those was Joseph Biden, Vice-President Elect.

 

KEITH114

3:25 PM ET

November 10, 2008

Apologies, read the website

Apologies, read the website wrong..

Two Republicans did not vote for him. Joseph Biden 'did not vote'.

 

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