What a relief..
.
Even if Obama were to pick the best possible replacement, whoever that may be, this is not the time to have a vacuum of leadership at the top for several months. Too much going on.
.
Prudence, phronesis — one of the four cardinal virtues, and the most important one for a political leader. Obama is showing signs of having it. Let’s hope he does.
Plato taught that another of the cardinal virtues, temperance or sophrosyne, was the essential virtue for an individual or a society that was not to be at war with itself, cf. Republic IV.
A smart move by President-elect Obama. Good for the country, the military and even for Obama, politically. His team gets to warm up on the war without having to start by diving into the deep end.
Whether Obama will demonstrate virtu as president remains to be seen but this was certainly an auspicious start.
It speaks well of both of them. Gates has been around the block.
Jonathan:
November 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
It speaks well of both of them.
I hope so. I suspect that Obama is signaling that he will continue Bush’s post-2005 accommodationist foreign policy. This may be the best outcome that we can expect under the circumstances.
Smitten Eagle:
November 26th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Change I can believe in.
.
S/F,
SE
Lexington Green:
November 26th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
What a relief..
.
Even if Obama were to pick the best possible replacement, whoever that may be, this is not the time to have a vacuum of leadership at the top for several months. Too much going on.
.
Prudence, phronesis — one of the four cardinal virtues, and the most important one for a political leader. Obama is showing signs of having it. Let’s hope he does.
Dave Schuler:
November 26th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Plato taught that another of the cardinal virtues, temperance or sophrosyne, was the essential virtue for an individual or a society that was not to be at war with itself, cf. Republic IV.
zen:
November 26th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
A smart move by President-elect Obama. Good for the country, the military and even for Obama, politically. His team gets to warm up on the war without having to start by diving into the deep end.
Whether Obama will demonstrate virtu as president remains to be seen but this was certainly an auspicious start.
Sean Meade:
November 26th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
aww yeah!
Ski:
November 27th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Thank God Gates decided to stay on, and thank God Obama had the wisdom to ask him.
Jonathan:
November 29th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Does Obama’s decision to retain Gates reflect well on Obama or poorly on Gates?
zen:
November 29th, 2008 at 5:57 am
It speaks well of both of them. Gates has been around the block.
Jonathan:
November 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
It speaks well of both of them.
I hope so. I suspect that Obama is signaling that he will continue Bush’s post-2005 accommodationist foreign policy. This may be the best outcome that we can expect under the circumstances.
zen:
November 29th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Sometimes you hope for maximum gains. Other times, to minimize losses or costs 🙂