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A Tale Of Two Chiefs

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The Associated Press

Published: March 2, 2009

WASHINGTON - Tell us, Robert Gates, what's the difference between working under Barack Obama and working under George W. Bush?

"That sounds like the subject of a good book," Gates said with a smile.

"It's really hard to say," he continued during an interview aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

As for Adm. Mike Mullen, who serves as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he demurred talking about the differences.

"Well, I think individuals are always different," Mullen, the nation's top military officer, said on "State of the Union" on CNN. "But, you know, I mean, I wouldn't characterize them one way or the other."

OBAMA

"I think that probably President Obama is somewhat more analytical. And he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don't speak up, he calls on them." - Gates

"He's anxious to get the military's input to all his decisions. The discussions have been broad and deep, and I've been very comfortable both with the access and the ability to give that advice." - Mullen

BUSH

"President Bush was interested in hearing different points of view but didn't go out of his way to make sure everybody spoke if they hadn't spoken up before." - Gates

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