Warnings

Gates: Don’t ‘Test’ Obama

Defense secretary says Obama is prepared.

In Bahrain today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates issued a stern warning to those planning on “testing” Barack Obama. “Anyone who thought that the upcoming months might present opportunities to ‘test’ the new president would be sorely mistaken,” he said. “President Obama and his national security team, myself included, will be ready to defend the interests of the United States and our friends and allies from the moment he takes office on Jan. 20.” Gates, who later made a surprise stop in Iraq, went on to say America’s commitment to the war on terror hadn’t changed: “I can assure you that a change in administration does not alter our fundamental interests, especially in the Middle East.”