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DEL.ICIO.USObama team confirms Nunn’s role as defense advisor on transition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A spokeswoman for Barack Obama this morning confirmed that former Georgia senator Sam Nunn will have a key role in the shift to a new administration, but said that a report that he would oversee a Pentagon transition team was overstated.
“Senator Sam Nunn will play an informal senior advisor role throughout the defense transition process. His expertise and the respect he has earned will be invaluable to ensure a smooth transition,” said transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter. But he won’t be paid, and won’t have a formal position on a Pentagon transition team, as the AP reported.
The Associated Press article also said Warren Christopher, the former secretary of state under President Clinton, would also be a leader in the switch of administrations.
“However, he is not playing a role in the transition process,” Cutter said. “There’s a lot of disinformation out there. We’re working hard to put the agency review teams together and expect they’ll be announced this week and inside the agencies by the end of the week.”
Whether formal or informal, paid or unpaid, it’s clear that Nunn will be a significant part of the transition process on defense and national security matters. Not a suprise, given that Nunn appeared at Obama’s side during a Virginia press conference, a week or so before the election.
Here’s a quick review of what Nunn’s involvement might mean:
— First, what it doesn’t say that Obama has named a secretary of defense. On the eve of the presidential election, from the King & Spalding office in Atlanta, Nunn declared himself uninterested in any cabinet position or permanent post in government. There’s no reason to disbelieve him, and his background role in the transition reinforces this. But Nunn is a reassuring figure to those in the Pentagon who don’t know what a Barack Obama administration might bring.
— In Nunn, you get a defense expert — the former head of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee — who’s expressed skepticism about the ramping up of hostilities toward Russia, and NATO’s extension of mutual defense membership to countries like Poland and Ukraine on the Russian border. NATO, Nunn has said, should be wary about making promises it can’t keep — not when its own defense forces are busy in Afghanistan.
“We need to understand that when you make military commitments, you’ve got to back it up with military capability,” Nunn said three months ago. “And right now, NATO is in danger of turning itself into a political organization rather than an effective military organization, and making political commitments which cannot be backed up with current forces.”
— Included in Nunn’s concerns about Russia is that country’s reaction to Eastern Europe as a platform for a U.S. missile defense system. “For us to deploy a missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland - the system itself is not yet mature, and the Iranian threat is not yet mature. So we’ve got some time. Russia offered their territory, and it seems to me we ought to be working with Russia on missile defense,” Nunn said in the same interview.
— Though he did not often speak of it publicly, Nunn was highly critical of the U.S. decision to invade Iraq. (As a senator, he voted against the first Gulf War.) The former senator has blamed President Bush’s go-it-alone policy in Iraq for the souring of diplomatic relations on a number of other, perhaps more important fronts.
Like Obama, he has said that the U.S. needs to renew its emphasis on diplomacy. “Although it’s really not accurate, we’ve given the impression in the world that the military is our primary and only tool. And the military are the first ones to say that we can’t be the only tool. There has to be a whole array of tools in the arsenal, ” Nunn said last year.
At the same time, Nunn has not advocated an immediate skedaddling — to use a technical phrase — out of Iraq, if only for logistical reasons. “We have something like 44,000 track vehicles over there. It would take, probably, 12 months —- nothing but flying C-17s and other cargo aircraft back and forth to get them out, ” he said.
— During the debate over running mates this summer, gay groups targeted Nunn for his support of the U.S. military’s don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy that permits gays to serve — as long as they keep their sexual orientation a secret.
Barack Obama’s involvement of Nunn in the transition of the nation’s military command would seem to be, if not a dismissal of this objection, then a recognition that — in the face of two wars on the other side of the globe — that open service by gays and lesbians may not be an immediate priority.
Remember that the topic of gays in the military was the first fight picked by Bill Clinton when he assumed the presidency in 1992. Earlier this year, Nunn said “don’t-ask-don’t-tell” deserves another look, but said any change in policy should bubble up from within the Pentagon.
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Comments
By wes
November 12, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
When prompted to name one democrat they say they like, most of my Republican friends usually say SAM NUNN.
Just ignore this decision by Obama, Republicans. I’m sure we’re all on our way to a communistic society under Obama (yawn).
By Robert
November 12, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
The choice of Sam Nunn for this job is reassuring not only to the Pentagon, but to a quasi-liberal like me. I hope that Sen. Nunn will change his mind and serve if asked by the new President. I trust the man and his judgment.
By Robert
November 12, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
The choice of Sam Nunn for this job is reassuring not only to the Pentagon, but to a quasi-liberal like me. I hope that Sen. Nunn will change his mind and serve if asked by the new President. I trust the man and his judgment.
By DirtyDawg
November 12, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Why in blazes don’t the Democratic Party in Georgia and the Jim Martin campaign get Sam to some spots for him?
By Georgia Gal
November 12, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
I do think initially Obama needs to keep Gates as SoD, but when he inevitably steps down I hope that Obama will ask and Sam Nunn will accept the position.
By Robby
November 12, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Heaven help the military over the 4 to possibly 8 years the Obama Administration will be running the show.
By EagleLander
November 12, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
It becomes ever increasingly apparent to me that President Obama will make sound decisions regarding the military, as well the overall well being of the country. And as a former military person myself I feel very confident in being able to say that. I think it’s high time that we can the unfounded rhetoric. Surely the mismanagement of the military of the past 8 years under George Bush cannot be overlooked can it?? Let’s begin with the false justification for going into Iraq in the first place, shirfting focus from Afghanistan, improperly equipped troops, coverups from friendly fire deaths (like Pat Tillman), Abu Grahib, etc.
I think “heaven” is sending help to the military finally. Gee.. a commander in chief who actually reaches out to the military and speaks of implementing policies that will greatly serve them as veterans when they return. Someone who will actually deploy them to the proper theatre. This as opposed to “watch this chip shot” while young soldiers, sailors and airmen who are someone else’s family member get blown to bits because of the “chip” ‘W’ carries on his shoulder.
Yeah, the Republicans are so great with the military. Yeah right. Let’s all resurrect the Hollywood actor again.
By rosie
November 12, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Robby - You are correct, if heaven is helping I’m beleiving things will work out. Heaven’s help will be better than the current administration’s judgement.
By LMS1965
November 12, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Hey Robby,
I don’t know what the Obama administration will do with the military, but its not like the Republicans have done such a great job with it either the last years since they have effectively just run it into the ground.
By KLS1
November 12, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
We can only blame ourselves for letting our leadership frame-up the the war by playing the “all muslims are the same” card, which us Americans post 9-11 bought hook, line, and sinker.
Better hope Hugo Chavez doesn’t pull off some terrorist plot before Bush leaves office, we’ll flatten Mexico City.
By citizen
November 12, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
America doesn’t need to support a ‘military industrial machine’ in the traditional sense. We have become a ‘police force’ for the world. Our future conflicts will no longer call for boots on the ground to fight another armed force. Our future enemies will use technology, financial resources and opportunities and demographics to overwhelm our weakening national spirit. An emphasis on history and economics in our educational system will be the only way to put our great nation back on track. I hope it’s not too late! My worry is that we are beginning to have the notion that ‘Government’ is the employer and we are being led to believe that ‘Government’ will just print more money.
By matt
November 12, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Sam Nunn wanted to be President in 1992. He thought sanctions would get Saddam out of Kuwait. He left office with his “defense expert” reputation in tatters. These are facts. There weren’t many people right or left who opposed dislodging Saddam from Kuwait. Some “expert” …
By BPJ
November 12, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Nunn would be ideal as National Security Advisor.
By Jeanette
November 12, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
We already have a “savior,” we need a President! Obama seeks advice from passive people who are naive about today’s world. Nunn is a great charcter guy, but historically has been dead wrong on key strategic issues.
By Terry
November 12, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Sam Nunn was one of the last Georgia Senators with any common sense, Wyche Fowler and Max Cleland were the other two. While not crazy about Nunns conservative views on many subjects you have to respect his experience and knowledge. The gop has lost touch with America, they think that their lies and half truths will get them by and it is up to US to prove to them we are more intelligent than they believe we are. The first step in Georgia is to throw Saxby out on his butt in shame and disgrace for supporting a moronic President while the country suffered, except the wealthy of course, which Saxby represents. President Obama will be the leader to restore America’s rightful place in the world and restore our reputation.
By Terry
November 12, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Sam Nunn was one of the last Georgia Senators with any common sense, Wyche Fowler and Max Cleland were the other two. While not crazy about Nunns conservative views on many subjects you have to respect his experience and knowledge. The gop has lost touch with America, they think that their lies and half truths will get them by and it is up to US to prove to them we are more intelligent than they believe we are. The first step in Georgia is to throw Saxby out on his butt in shame and disgrace for supporting a moronic President while the country suffered, except the wealthy of course, which Saxby represents. President Obama will be the leader to restore America’s rightful place in the world and restore our reputation.
By GHunt
November 12, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Jeanette, since you feel Sam Nunn is out of touch with today’s world, you apparently feel the current adminstration, which has lost face globally, is on the right track.
Where is Bin Laden? Two oilmen running the country in pursuit of oil. Starting a war where 4200 American men and women have lost their lives and an untold number of others seriously wounded tells me you really know how to assess what our country’s defense strategy should be. Most Americans want change. Sam Nunn brings sanity and well rounded visionary experience to our rescue.
By Republicans4Martin
November 13, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Excellent choice. Sam Nunn has helped with keeping Lockheed here in Georgia. He is someone we can depend on to do right by us Georgians.