Secretary of Defense Robert Gates isn't the only member of President-elect Barack Obama's national security team with ties to the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M.

Obama's pick for national security adviser, retired Gen. James L. Jones Jr., is a member of the Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs' advisory board.

Jones is president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy, a group that tries to unite policymakers and energy producers to secure U.S. energy supplies. He became commandant of the Marine Corps in 1999 and ended 40 years of active service in 2007.

He has previously said he opposed Obama's plan to withdraw troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office. In an interview with CNN, he said he would support the president's vision.

"At the end of the day, [on] the major issues, he will make the decision and everyone will salute smartly and carry it out," he said.

Gates served as interim dean of the school before he was president of the university. He became secretary of defense in 2006, and Obama asked him to remain in the position.

Comments

(Requires free registration.)

0 comment(s) found!