TPMDC Mike Mullen
Libya
Senate Hawks Berate Gates Over Handoff Of Libya To NATO
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates endured nearly six hours of grilling from Congress Thursday, with the most combative questioning coming from -- surprisingly -- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and a group of Senate hawks on the Armed Services Committee who support military intervention in Libya.
McCain expressed grave disappointment about the decision to have the U.S. military forces step aside and allow NATO to take control before Muammar Qaddafi has been toppled from power.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked why the U.S. couldn't simply bomb Qaddafi like President Reagan tried to do in 1986 when he sent cruise missiles into the Libyan leader's palace, killing one of his daughters, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said rebel setbacks over the last two days have been "unsettling."
Topics: Barack Obama, Claire McCaskill, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, NATO, Robert Gates, Senate Armed Services Committee, Susan Collins, pentagon
War Powers Act
Angry Lawmakers Grill Gates On Libya And War Powers Act
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, got a browbeating from Congress today over the White House's decision to ignore Congress and forge ahead with air strikes aimed at ousting Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi and supporting rebel forces.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Gates defended the administration's decision to intervene and retooled earlier comments that the U.S. didn't have a vital interest in the North African country after a rash of criticism.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Buck McKeon, House Armed Services Committee, Libya, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, Robert Gates, Walter Jones, War Powers Act
Libya
Senate Dems to Delay War Powers Resolutions Until After Briefing
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has asked his caucus to postpone any Libya resolutions until after they receive a classified briefing Tuesday evening.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to brief senators Wednesday night. Afterward, Reid said, all bets are off and Democrats can offer any type of War Powers Resolution they want.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Congress, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Libya, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, Robert Gates, Senate, War Powers Act, no-fly zone
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Saif Qaddafi 'Surprised' By Coalition Attack
Appearing on This Week, Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi's son Saif Qaddafi said the country was "surprised" by the multi-national air strikes on the country. "Step aside, why?" said the younger Qaddafi. "Again, there is a big misunderstanding. The whole country is united against the armed militia and the terrorists. Simply the Americans and the other Western countries, you are supporting the terrorists and the armed militia. That's it."
Mullen: Qaddafi's Future "Difficult To Know"
Appearing on Face the Nation, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said of Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi: "He's a thug, he's a cagey guy, he's a survivor. We know that. So it's difficult to know exactly how it comes out, but in the immediate future we're very focused on protecting, providing the environment in which the Libyan civilians cannot be massacred by him and that there can be humanitarian relief and particularly in and around Benghazi."
Topics: Carl Levin, Jeff Sessions, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Libya, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, Roundup, Sunday Shows
Dianne Feinstein
Feinstein Slams Middle East Intelligence, Urges Caution On No-Fly Zone
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, harshly criticized the CIA and the rest of the intelligence community for failing to forecast the uprising in the Middle East and warned the White House not to intervene in Libya without international support.
"Our intelligence, and I see it all ... was woefully inadequate. [The unrest in] Tunisia was the only intelligence we got right," Feinstein told TPM Tuesday, adding that U.S. intelligence completely missed the instability in Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain.
Topics: Bahrain, CIA, CIA/DNI/Intelligence, Dianne Feinstein, John Kerry, John McCain, Leon Panetta, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Middle East, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, Robert Gates, Senate intelligence committee, Tunisia, Yemen, no-fly zone
Libya
Pressure in Congress Mounts For No-Fly Zone In Libya
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
As air attacks against Libyan rebels grow more violent, calls for attacking Muammar Qaddafi's Air Force are growing in Congress.
Britain and France are drafting a UN resolution establishing a no-fly zone, which will be considered at a NATO meeting Thursday.
But some in Congress believe time is of the essence and are urging Obama to act independently.
Topics: Arab League, Carl Levin, John Kerry, John McCain, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, Robert Gates, no-fly zone, pentagon
Robert Gates
Gates and Mullen: Iran And Al Qaeda Biggest Losers in Middle East Fallout
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are optimistic about results of anti-government movements in the Middle East and called Iran and al Qaeda the "biggest losers" in the ongoing fallout.
"Iran is the real loser here whether they want to admit it or not," Mullen told reporters during a briefing Tuesday at the Pentagon. "They had no hand in the change ... except the one they used to slap back their own people."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: Al Qaeda, Iran, Libya, Mike Mullen, Muammar Qaddafi, Robert Gates, pentagon
Barack Obama
Obama: DADT Repeal Is Matter Of Months, Not Years
President Obama signs a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
When President Obama signed a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell today, he wasn't actually repealing the 17-year-old policy. The law directs the Pentagon to drop the policy -- but only after Obama, the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff all certify that the military is ready for it.
And the question has been how long that may take. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been purposely tight-lipped about a time line, refusing to publicly make even vague estimates.
Obama, though, gave a ballpark to The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Mike Mullen, Robert Gates
Barack Obama
Obama Signs DADT Repeal Into Law
President Obama this morning signed into law the bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
"I am just overwhelmed," Obama said as he took the stage among chants of "Yes we can!" and whoops from the audience. "This is a very good day."
"No longer will our country be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans who were forced to leave the military, regardless of their skills, no matter their bravery or their zeal, no matter their years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay," he said. "No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie."
Obama was joined on stage by Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Harry Reid and Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Patrick Murphy, an Iraq War veteran who had pushed for DADT repeal.
"In the coming days, we will begin the process laid out by this law," Obama said, adding that repeal will not go into effect immediately. "It is very important that servicemembers remember that."
He spoke directly to gay soldiers, and said he hoped those discharged under DADT will re-enlist once it is fully repealed.
"There will never be a full accounting of the heroism demonstrated by gay Americans in service to this country," he said. "As the first generation to serve openly in our armed services, you will stand for all those who came before you, and you will serve as role models for all those who will come after you."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Gay Rights, Gays in the military, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Mike Mullen, Robert Gates, Susan Collins
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
President Obama To Sign Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal This Morning
Marines aboard the USS Blue Ridge
President Obama is scheduled to sign a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, at 9:15 a.m. ET today.
The bill, which was passed by the House last Wednesday and the Senate on Saturday, was certified by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday in a ceremony that was attended by hundreds of supporters, including gay servicemembers.
The new law will, eventually, end the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers. The policy will be repealed 60 days after Obama, Defense Secretary Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen all certify that the military is ready for repeal. That won't happen until the military completes its implementation plan, which includes extensive training and education for all branches of the armed forces.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Gay Rights, Gays in the military, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Mike Mullen, Robert Gates, Susan Collins
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Gates: WikiLeaks Docs Posting 'Puts Our Soldiers At Risk'
Appearing on This Week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates denounced the WikiLeaks posting of documents about Afghanistan: "Well, I'm not sure anger is the right word. I just -- I think mortified, appalled. And -- and if -- if I'm angry, it is -- it is because I believe that this information puts those in Afghanistan who have helped us at risk. It puts our soldiers at risk because they can learn a lot -- our adversaries can learn a lot about our techniques, tactics and procedures from the body of these leaked documents. And so I think that's what puts our soldiers at risk. And -- and then, as I say, our sources. And, you know, growing up in the intelligence business, protecting your sources is sacrosanct. And -- and there was no sense of responsibility or accountability associated with it."
Mullen 'Appalled' By WikiLeaks Docs
Appearing on Meet The Press, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen denounced the WikiLeaks posting of documents on the Afghanistan war: "There is an ability to put this kind of information together in the world that we're living in and the potential for costing us lives, I think, is significant. I said when it first occurred I was appalled. I remain appalled and that the potential for the loss of lives of American soldiers or coalition soldiers or Afghan citizens is clearly there."
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, Arizona, Birthright citizenship, Carl Levin, Immigration, Jan Brewer, Jon Kyl, Lindsey Graham, Mike Mullen, Nancy Pelosi, Robert Gates, Roundup, Sarah Palin, Sunday Shows, WikiLeaks
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
• CBS, Face The Nation: Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, Council On Foreign Relations president Richard Haass, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Mexican American Legal Defense And Education Fund president Thomas Saenz.
• CNN, State Of The Union: Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
• Fox News Sunday: Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I), former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Alan Greenspan, Carl Levin, Ed Rendell, John Boehner, Jon Kyl, Lindsey Graham, Mike Bloomberg, Mike Mullen, Mitch McConnell, Robert Gates, Sunday Shows
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Mullen On DADT: Show Me The Data
Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said today that the Pentagon will continue to enforce the Don't Ask, Don't Tell ban on non-heterosexuals serving in the military, saying that, while he personally supports the policy's repeal, he still believes Congress should not pass any repeal legislation before a review is completed.
Mullen said the review must include all the "voices" of people affected by the potential repeal and that, once the review is done, he should be the one to "lead" the charge to implement the repeal. Mullen, who fielded questions from reporters and members of the defense community this morning at a breakfast sponsored by The Hill, said that he and other military brass still prefer "to wait until the review was through" before Congress passes the repeal because it's hard to know the impact because the "data that just doesn't exist."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Gays in the military, Gene Taylor, Mike Mullen, The Hill
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, National Incident Commander
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Adm. Thad Allen, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
• CBS, Face The Nation: Adm. Thad Allen, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).
• CNN, State Of The Union: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).
• Fox News Sunday: Adm. Thad Allen, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren.
• NBC, Meet The Press: Will not air, due to coverage of the French Open.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: BP, Bill Nelson, David Vitter, Gulf Coast Oil Spill, Haley Barbour, Israel, Israel/Palestine, Jim Webb, John Cornyn, John Kerry, Michael Oren, Mike Mullen, Oil Spill, Sunday Shows, Thad Allen
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama: Imperfect Climate Deal Better Than None
Speaking at the Copenhagen climate conference, President Obama declared that an imperfect climate deal would be better than no deal at all. "No country will get everything that it wants," said Obama, also saying: "We are running short on time. We are ready to get this done today. But there has to be movement on all sides."
Obama's Day In Copenhagen
President Obama arrived at 8:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. ET) in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the conference on climate change. He held a 9:30 a.m. bilateral meeting with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, delivered brief remarks at a 10 a.m. plenary session, and met at 11 a.m. with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. At 12 p.m., he participated in an official photo with heads of state and the heads of the U.S. delegation. He met at 2:15 p.m. with Brazilian President Lula da Silva. He will participate in a 3 p.m. afternoon plenary session. He will meet at 4:30 p.m. with President Dmitry Medvedev. Later, he will depart from Copenhagen, en route back to Andrews Air Force Base in Washington.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Climate Change, Copenhagen, Iraq, John Boehner, Lindsey Graham, Mike Mullen, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Senate GOP Accuses Parliamentarian Of Democratic Bias
Senate Republicans are accusing Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin of bias in favor of the Democrats, when he allowed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to withdraw his single-payer amendment in the face of a Republican push to have it read aloud and thus delay the legislation process for hours. "If there was any good faith, it's gone," said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), adding: "No one can say this is a fair process when they basically have a Parliamentarian in their pocket."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, will meet at 10 a.m. ET with members of the National Economic Council, and will meet at 11 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 6:50 p.m. ET he will depart the White House, taking off at 7:05 p.m. ET from Andrews Air Force Base en route to the Copenhagen climate-change conference.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Climate Change, Copenhagen, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Karl Rove, Mike Mullen, Nancy Pelosi, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
House Dems Eyeing More Possible Retirements
CQ reports that House Democrats could have more retirements on the horizon: "House Democratic leadership aides said that they expect more retirements soon, but only because the year is almost over and the House has already passed its top three priorities for the year: economic stimulus, climate change and health care reform legislation. Several older, long-tenured Members are being eyed as possible retirees in 2010, including Budget Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) and Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.)."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a 10:45 a.m. ET meeting at a Northern Virginia Home Depot, to discuss the economic impact of energy-saving home retrofits, and he will deliver remarks at 11:10 a.m. ET. He will have lunch with business leaders at 12:15 p.m. ET. He will meet with members of the Senate Democratic Caucus at 1:40 p.m. ET, and will make a statement to the press after the meeting at 3 p.m. ET. Obama and Vice PResident Biden will meet with SEcretary of Defense Robert Gates at 4:45 p.m. ET.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Mullen, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama Slams 'Fat Cat Bankers'
During his 60 Minutes interview, President Obama denounced Wall Street irresponsibility, in stark terms. "Now, let me say more generally I did not run for office to be helping out a bunch of you know, fat cat bankers on Wall Street," said Obama. "Nothing has been more frustrating to me this year than having to salvage a financial system at great expense to taxpayers that was precipitated, that was caused in part by completely irresponsible actions on Wall Street. And I've spoken out repeatedly about this."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. Obama will meet at 11:10 a.m. ET with members of the financial services industry, and he will deliver a statement on the economy at 12:10 p.m. ET. Obama and Biden will have lunch at 12:25 p.m. ET. Obama will meet at 1:30 p.m. ET with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman. Obama will meet at 3 p.m. ET with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Joe Biden, John Cornyn, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Mike Mullen, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Poll: Public Opposes Afghanistan Surge, Split On Obama's Decision-Making
A new CNN poll finds that only 40% of Americans favor the war in Afghanistan, with 58% opposing it. American also do not support sending more troops to Afghanistan, by a 42%-56% margin. The public is split on President Obama's decision-making process with 49% saying he is taking too long, and 50% who disagree.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and the First Lady will host a Veterans Day breakfast, at 9:05 a.m. ET in the White House. At 11 a.m. ET, he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and will deliver remarks at 11:25 a.m. ET. He will meet at 2:30 p.m. ET with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Health Care, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Mike Mullen, Robert Gates, Roundup
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