I respect Bob Gates even if I don’t agree with every decision and statement he’s made. But I think it was, at least, an error to suggest that he won’t allow troops into Libya so long as he’s on the job.
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told a Congressional panel that he strongly opposed putting any American forces in Libya. Asked if there would be American “boots on the ground” — that is, uniformed members of the military — Mr. Gates swiftly replied, “Not as long as I’m in this job.”