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Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday he has decided to replace the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff rather than see contentious renomination hearings before Congress.
Speaking to reporters, and referring to the debate over the war in Iraq, Gates said he had wanted to renominate Marine Gen. Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff but then concluded doing so would create "a confirmation process that would not be in the best interest of the country."
Originally posted by JIMC5499
Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to be confirmed by the Senate when they are selected, there is no such requirement for their dismissal. Gates is well within his rights as the Secretary of Defense. It's a shame that Civics classes have been removed from our education system.
Gee, I didn't know that. I only have a masters degree in political science, and I'm nearly done a law degree. But, no, I've never read that Const-me-tooshun thingy. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Originally posted by JIMC5499
Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to be confirmed by the Senate when they are selected, there is no such requirement for their dismissal. Gates is well within his rights as the Secretary of Defense.
It's a shame that Civics classes have been removed from our education system.
Gates said he had recommended that President Bush nominate Adm. Mike Mullen, chief of naval operations, to replace Pace, whose term expires in September.
Gates said his choice of Mullen required him to also not seek the renomination of the vice chairman, Adm. Ed Giambiastiani, since it would create an imbalance among the armed forces, which each get a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He will instead recommend to Bush that Gen. James E. Cartwright, currently the commander of the Strategic Command, become vice chairman.
Gates said while he wanted Pace to continue as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he decided a bruising confirmation battle was not worth it. "The focus of his confirmation process would have been on the past rather than the future," Gates said. "There was the very real prospect the process would be quite contentious."
abcnews.go.com