we have visited with bob gates. bob gates is a very special friend.were on the iraq study group together before then. he was vectored over to this. so when we visited with him we said, you know, if we can't... if kent conrad of the budget committee, chairman, couldn't get the figures out of the pentagon as to what they're doing with contractors who don't do their job and then two years later they hire them again, how many contractors are there and there's no record of it. if i remember they said it was between 250,000 and a million. we said, well, we'll just cut 250,000 contractors. i'm sure that are that will get a keening wail out of segments of society, but bob gates very beautifully was taking the saving and restructuring... put iting it back... >> rose: and that's what you were saying. the savings you're already trying to engender and putting back into the military we want to take out and eliminate the deficit. >> that's right. >> but don't forget about what admiral mullen said who's head of the joint joint chiefs. he said the debt is the biggest

also in asia were hillary clinton, bob gates and joint chiefs chairman mike mullen striking agreements with nations from australia to tonga. here to explain the importance of the trip is bud cole, prohe isor of war and just releasing the second edition of his book, great wall of sea. bud, welcome to the show. >> so is this the trip some commentators say it was. >> well thank you for having me back, vago. no i, don't think so at all. i think this is the last six months of dedication administration efforts to emphasize the importance in east asia of the united states presence both military and economic. and i think if we look at the country the president visited, particularly india and indonesia, as well as korea and japan, we see some marked success, very much at the grand strategic level between the united states and those countries. >> what specifically do you point to that in terms of the advancing of the u.s. message? because the entire team was over there canvassing the entire region, it wasn't just the president. >> i think when we go back to june when the secretary of state was i

secretary of defense we would need somebody else to say it was a new plan so then introduced to bob gateshas an option. then that her levying -- fled to meeting you generals but with good 2006 campaign, i feel very strongly the commander-in-chief should not we making key military decisions in the midst of a political campaign to send signals to the troops you're being used for a political purpose in that would be a major mistake. analysis for future presidents and fortune of the few were commander in chief don't play politics with military strategy. [applause] >> host: three more questions they are getting ready to put the haqqani. >> host: handling hurricanes in florida and 2004 and 2005 you said they had a call bank governor at that time. [laughter] [applause] >> guest: what do expect me to say? [laughter] >> host: then comes katrina you were accused by a black singer about not caring about people to when it was not just one person it was the opportunity for people to use the response to katrina as a way to label me as a racist. i did not like it one bit and express significant displeas

that if there is something i'd like to say i will simply call up and say to secretary clinton and bob gates and others. i think we are very, very tough on our president. i will make two separate statements about presidents in general and one about our politics. we're tough on president's the day they are inaugurated this market is most amazing human being and one year later how did we ever elect him? i have watched it happen over and over it is still loneliest job in the world. it is now get tougher than being president of the united states. the people that we lacked to that office affair for the right reasons and sometimes i disagree sometimes i agree but i will tell you i think is going on in apart from the of fenestration that what use the n these grass roots movement and i do not agree with everything that is said and dead tea party i am more pro free trade and immigration but what they are saying, the conversation in washington and around out here is not the same conversation per. and saying it across the board to washington d.c. and that is a healthy development because what concerns

colin powell and bob gates and dick cheney, they'll all be here.was a proud moment for our country and we did the right thing. we had use for us to put down a dictator. and we set a goal. the goal was to kick them out of kuwait and we did and then we left. we didn't have mission -- we didn't expand the mission. >> larry: you don't want to think about a legacy, you do? >> only just that the children are decent and the grandchildren, honest and that they're giving and caring and they know that they owe a lot. that they're blessed and they owe a lot. >> larry: may i say something? i don't like to get personal but one of the great honors of doing this show for 25 and a half years is knowing you. >> oh, that's so sweet, thank you. >> larry: and you.

it was introduced to bob gates as an option. hedblom that led to needing new generals.o a lot of things happened. really what happened was that he does a six campaign interceded. i feel strongly the commander in chief should not be making key military decisions in the midst of a political campaign. you are being used for political purposes. that would be a major mistake. and so one of the lessons for future presidents should they choose to read this book if you, unfortunately, our commander in chief, don't play politics with military strategy. [applauding] >> mr. president, three more questions. >> okay. >> getting ready to put the hook on me. >> and the book you account have you had experience in handling hurricanes in florida in 2004 and 2005 were you say you have a competent governor. [applauding] and -- >> what did you expect me to say >> then, sir can katrina in 2005. you were accused by a singer of not caring about black people. >> yeah, look. it was not just one person. it was an opportunity for people to use the response to katrina as a way to label me a racist,

but the republican secretary of all of that money, bob gates, who president obama held over from george bush's second term, he keeps giving speeches about how the pentagon cannot keep having budgets this big. last month 57 members of the house and senate wrote to this commission of elder statesmen thing, saying, if you guys are going to be talking about how to get our financial house in order, then you really have to consider defense. everybody billed that as a bipartisan letter, but honestly, you want to know who the republicans were who signed on to it? there was republican congressman ron paul of texas and ron paul. also, ron paul. and ron paul. yeah, that's it. but they did get ron paul. but this is the hard part. even as defense spending has completely busted the budget for decades now, republican attacks on anyone who would propose even flattening defense spending, even slowing the rate of increase, let alone cutting it, is such a finely honed attack now, through years and years and years of repetition. >> john kerry and the liberals in congress voted to slash america's intelligen

i know them well enough, if there's something i want to say, i'll call up and say, particularly bob gates, secretary clinton and others. i think that we are very, very tough on our presidents. i'm going to make two separate statements here. one just about the presidency in general, and then one on politics. i think we're tough on presidents. the day they are inaugurated they are the smartest most amazing human beings we've seen, and a year later, how did we ever elect him? [laughter] i've watched it happen over and over and over again. it's the loneliest job in the world. it doesn't get duffer than being -- tougher than being president of the united states. i do think that the people that we elect to that office are elected for they is taken office for the right reason trying to do the right things, and sometimes i disagree, and sometimes i agree, but i'll tell you something that i think is going on in politics quite apart from the administration, and that is that what you're seeing in these grass root movements, and look, i am not one that agrees with everything being said in the tea par

when bob gates, a republican by the way, and a career national security expert, wants equality in the military, and the commander in chief in chief himself does, and now if this survey is correct, the rank and file troops do, it's kind of hard to say somehow this is going to hurt the military. >> i really do disagree with you, paul, about this idea that president obama can simply decide. i mean, don't ask don't tell is a law. >> right, but he can issue a stop loss order. >> well, he can work around the edges and limit the impact of -- >> he can enforce the court ruling instead of appealing. >> bottom line, though, you think it's dead in the water. >> i think don't ask, don't tell will survive into the next year. >> you still think there's a possibility? >> i think one way or the other it's gone over time. it may not be before new year's but it cannot sustain. discrimination doesn't last forever in america. it doesn't. >> erick, want to put you on the spot. >> you know, i think long-term in this country we're headed towards more open tolerance in the military of gays in the military bu

by republicans deserve thoughtful answers, and everyone in the administration stands ready from bob gates to jim clapper, the head of the -- director of national intelligence. because we all see it in the same way, and we're in the tradition of both republican and democratic presidents going back to ronald reagan, who famously said "trust but verify." we have no verification without a treaty about what's going on inrussia's nuclear program. so i think whether you're already convinced or can be convinced, i think we want to get our inspectors back on the ground, and the only way to do that is by ratifying this treaty. >> is there an issue, though, of american prestige? the president was dealt a setback on fair trade whene was in seoul. when it comes to trade or economic policy, there's a feeling america can't always get what it wants. is thisoing to be a problem with the president not getting what heants on the world stage because of republicans? >> well, first of all, i think that the president didn't agree to a trade deal in seoul because he didn't feel like it was enough in america's in

they've brought up, this is a treaty that is supported by henry kissinger, jim baker, condi rice, bob gates, george schultz. i mean it's bipartisan republicans across-- it is quite frankly passed the committee 14-4. you know t is in the interest of the united states and they are just, i can only conclude this is about embarrassing the president. i really can. >> i sport of agree with that. i don't see the big deal. i don't see the big deal about the treaty. if you look at the reduction in warheads it is a drop from like 1750 to 1550. it not a huge thing. the substance is not huge. but the atmospherics help us deal with russia. it helps us deal with our allies, so it is not that important a thing. why make a big opposition to a thing that isn't that important. unless are you motivated with some sort of cold war memories or you just want to oppose the president. so i think it's unfortunate. >> remember the mantra of the greatest warrior of all, ronald reagan, trust but verify that is what this treaty does is allow inspection which we haven't been able to do. >> woodruff: the other piece of op

by republicans deserve thoughtful answers, and every one of the administration stands ready, from bob gates because we all see it in the same way. and we're in the tradition of both republican and democratic presidents going back to ronald reagan, who famously said, trust, but verify. >> and a couple of sunday no-goes to scratch off your list of 2012 presidential players. firmly and apparently happily ensconced in the diplomatic world, secretary clinton dropped the knnuance on this one. >> i am committed to doing what i can to enhance the security and traditions and values of the united states of america. i'm very proud and grateful to be doing it. >> so you're done with elective office? >> i am. i am very happy doing what i'm doing and i am not in any way interested in or pursuining anything in elective office. >> on the republican side, cross out the name rick perry. seems his texas-sized job is plenty big enough for him. >> i think being the president -- or excuse me, being the governor of a state like texas, or for that matter, arizona or new mexico, is a more pivotal job in the future.

it was given by bob gates the secretary of defense at duke university where he stood up in front of duketudent body and to their credit has rotc on the campus and said we are now embarked upon a society where those who serve are separated from those who don't. i'm challenging you who are advantaged and gifted and talented to consider joining the military to serve your country. it's something that neither of the presidents under whom he has served, either george bush or barack obama has ever said. they talk about service. but they never say join the military. to a select and privileged group. i just think it's a terrible admission that we haven't confronted that reality. david makes the point 1% of all the fighting, suffering and sacrifice, that one percent of our population. they're the ones who are doing it. the other 99, nothing. nothing. >> lehrer: we'll be back in a few moments with more. >> ifill: joining me now are david chalian stewart rothenberg of the rothenberg political report. lo and behold we actually have results. let's talk about the indiana senate race which has been call

off but it's not going to go on skates, and i don't know if republicans are going to think that bob gates who is none of the above, i think it is inevitable. .. its own separate category in the budget so it would not be counted. as for an eight, a prospect that horrify some of the folks at aipac and other supporters of aid for israel. so that will be -- that will be a fight. third? >> keeping in mind that miserable fiscal condition of this country and energy as well, do you think there's any likelihood for a major excise tax on fuel, for example, $3 a gallon for gasoline? >> know. i'll stop there. [laughter] part of the challenge going forward is that opposition for new taxes has really become a litmus test for republicans, so that the pledge and americans for tax reform conservative group puts out every senate once been a once and into post-tax increase under any circumstance, virtually every house challenger. think all but one house challenger find it. and it is just hard to see how you get past that in a variety of areas. social security is another worth imminently possible to imagine

you also have seen secretary of defense bob gates order not only the massive review of pentagon contractsaking it clear what we simply cannot afford. he has been fighting many of the generals there who simply don't want to scale back in those areas, because he sees a train that is coming, that if he doesn't do it, somebody else is going to do it, because if you see senator mcconnell cave on this issue, you can expect to see other folks cave, but here's the one thing you must watch out for, john, and we always see it. members of congress start saying, oh, no, you can't cut that because that means jobs. le the one thing we have to own up, whenever they throw out jobs, that causes everybody to pause and freeze and stops them from making necessary cuts. >> i want to shift subjects here. you thought you were being book odd john king usa, but really this is our edition of "family feud." alisamurkowski, and she's likely leading in the count of votes. they haven't counted them all up yet, but she's had a long-running feud with sarah palin, and tonight she did an interview william katie couric. 20

i think he will try to drawn down a little bit in summer of 2011, but what bob gates said we're taking the war to the taliban and doing damage and taking casualties ourselves, unfortunately and we have a strategy to have david petraeus to succeed, not to exit. i think president obama crossed the bridge in his own mind. he's not interested in an exit strategy in his first term from the afghanistan, interested in success strategy. >> chris: juan, the white house tried to play down the shift saying no, no, we still plan to begin the drawdown in july of 2011 as the president said in his west point speech. but they acknowledge that now it's going to be a very gradual drawdown and at least to 2014 before we turn things over to the afghans. how big of a deal do you think that is? >> a big deal in this sense. the way the white house would portray this, a shift in strategy. what we're talking about is a post-2011 strategy for afghanistan. and here are the diplomatic economic efforts that we're going to be making post 2011. i think that's all semantic. i think the reality is that there has been

and, what it meaps, i think he'll try and draw down, in the summer of 2011 but what bob gates said ise're taking the war to the taliban and doing a lot of damage and taking casualties ourselves, unfortunately but we have a strategy now, under general petraeus to succeed, not to exit and barack obama has crossed the bridge and is not interested in exit strategy, during the first term from afghanistan, he's interested in success strategy. >> chris: juan the white house tried to play down the shift, saying we still plan to begin the draw down, in july 2011 as the president said in the west point speech but acknowledge now it will be a gradual draw down and we are there at least to 2014 before we turn things over to the afghans. how big a deal is that. >> a big deal, in the the way the white house would portray this, it is a shift in strategy and what we are talking about is a post-2011 strategy for afghanistan and here are the diplomatic, economic efforts that we are going to be making post 2011. but i think that is all semantics and the reality is as bill described it. there is a shift

that if there is something i would like to say i will simply call up and say you know, particularly bob gatesand secretary clinton and others. i think that we are very, very tough on our presidents. i am going to make two separate statements here. won just about the president and general and one of our politics. i think we are tough on our presidents. the day they are inaugurated they are the most amazing human beings we have ever seen and a year later how did we ever elect him? and i watched it happen over and over and over again. it is the loneliest job in the world. it doesn't get comfort -- tougher than being president of the united states. i do think that the people that we elected elect in that office are elected -- they have stood for office for the right reasons and they are trying to do the right thing and sometimes i disagreed and sometimes i agree. but i will tell you something that i think is going on in our politics quite apart from the administration, and that is that what you are seeing in these grassroots movements and look, i'm not one who agrees with everything that is being

necessarily a new plan unless there was somebody else saying this is a new plan and was introduced to bob gates as an option. and then that led to needing new generals, and so we needed a lot of things to happen. really what happened is the 2006 campaign interceded, and i feel very strongly that the commander in chief should not be makingco key military decisions in the midst of a political campaigncii because it sends signals to our troops, you're nothing but, you know, you're being used for tr political purposes, and that would be a major mistake. and so one of the lessons for future presidents if they choose to read this book if you, unfortunately, are commander in chief, don't play politics with military strategy.n't [applause] >> [inaudible] we had, mr. president, we'll do three more questions. okay. >> mitch is getting ready to the hook on -- put the hook on me. >> in the book you recount how you had experience in handling hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 where you say they had a competent governor at that time. [cheers and applause] and i'm -- >> what do you expect me to say? [laughter] >> th

now it is bob gates and secretary clayton, working together and recognizing that the justification of defense spending -- there is not only cross pollination but prevention versus direct action. gates has been a very effective spokesperson on this and has formed partnerships in other republican and democratic environment. i think that continues as long as secretary gates is there, which may not be much longer. it has started within that kind of rubric and context. that may be some clues to the future, but it will depend to a large extent on the next choice possibly in both positions. this is a typical time when those kinds of changes occur. >> every dollar that gets spent is going to be reviewed and looked at closely. it may not often be as a parent if a dollar spent on foreign aid is important to stability and security here at home. i have always believed that it is. there is an education process that will have to go on. apparent.t often be as a paren >> looking out to the faith community, who understands the importance of what we do in africa, dealing with aids and malaria, and a sp

. >> an interesting partnership that started in the last administration with bob gates and condi rice now it's bob gates and secretary clinton working together recognizing or at least their premise is that, you know, the juxtaposition of defense spending and security spending vis-a-vis a foreign policy and foreign affairs spending that there's some not only cross-pollination, but prevention versus a direct action. i think gates has been a very effective spokesperson on this, and he's formed partnerships both in a republican environment and a democratic environment. i think that continues as long as secretary gates is there which -- >> not much longer. >> yeah. which may not be much longer. so i think it has started within that kind of rubric and context, and that may give you some clues to the future, but i, it will depend to a large extent on the next choice possibly in both positions, you know, not making any announcements. but this is a typical time when those kinds of changes occur. >> in these difficult economic times, every dollar that gets spent is going to be reviewed and look

we know that bob gates is thinking about leaving.erested in. >> i take him at his word when he says he doesn't want to come back. he is a soldier first. he deflected those questions. he was pushing. >> yes, sir. thank you, john. >>> it was a cliffhanger vote. another state moves to legalize medical marijuana. and a movie role for the former president, bill clinton. wraurts going on? ♪ but i really love my bank ♪ i hate-- didn't quite catch that last bit. i said i really love my bank. right... is there a problem ? it's not really raging, man. uh, we were hoping for more raging ? well, you said write from the heart. yeah... don't do that. at ally, you'll love our online savings account. named the best of 2010 by money magazine. ally. do you love your bank ? ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] here's hoping you find something special in your driveway this holiday. ♪ [ santa ] ho ho ho! [ male announcer ] get an exceptional offer on the mercedes-benz you've always wanted at the winter event going on now. but hurry -- the offer ends soon. >>> the newl