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 Home > News & Policies > December 2006

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 5, 2006

President Bush Meets with Secretary of Defense Nominee Robert Gates
Diplomatic Reception Room

7:48 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I just had breakfast with my nominee to be the Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates. Bob Gates will be a fine Secretary of Defense. I appreciate the fact that he's getting a hearing today in the United States Senate. I hope for a speedy confirmation so he can get sworn in and get to work.


President George W. Bush and Robert Gates, the President's nominee for Secretary of Defense, stand before the press Tuesday morning, Dec. 5, 2006, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. Said the President, "Bob Gates will be a fine Secretary of Defense. I hope for a speedy confirmation so he can get sworn in and get to work." White House photo by Eric Draper Those who wear the uniform know they'll have a friend in Bob Gates in the Defense Department. He admires our military; he respects those who have volunteered to serve our country. He is -- he's going to do an excellent job for us.

Again, Bob, I thank you for agreeing to serve.

MR. GATES: Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT: Best of luck up there on Capitol Hill. Good luck to you.

MR. GATES: Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all.

END 7:49 A.M. EST