I am very concerned about the notion of Bush’s Secretary of Defense Robert Gates staying on at the Pentagon. Gates has vocally opposed Obama’s withdrawal plan for Iraq. Gates also has become the leading voice in the Bush administration pushing for an aggressive nuclear weapons posture.

And even many conservatives have argued he has a habit of skewing intelligence to fit his predetermined policy preferences.

Obama’s desire for a diversity of views around the Cabinet table is refreshing. But Robert Gates’ support for the policies of the past makes him the wrong person to lead U.S. military and foreign policies in a new direction.

Melissa Hughes

Stockton Springs