Senators got their first chance Friday to sit down with Robert Gates, President George W. Bush's choice as his new defense secretary, and ask him what he thinks about the war in Iraq, AP reported. Gates began making the rounds of Congress Friday morning, his first visit there since being named Nov. 8 to replace Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. His initial session was with Bill Frist, leader of the Senate's Republican majority. The nominee is expected to testify publicly before the Senate Armed Services Committee the week of Dec. 4. The former CIA director was serving as a member of an independent, blue-ribbon panel assessing options in Iraq when Bush asked him to replace Rumsfeld as Pentagon chief. Gates, 63, has served in numerous national security jobs under six previous presidents, including Bush's father, and is currently president of Texas A&M University. Gates planned to meet in the morning with Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist. In the afternoon, Gates was scheduled to visit Republican Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, and Republican Sen. John McCain. Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, in line to take over Warner's position as chairman next year, is expected to meet with Gates on Monday. Members of Congress often meet privately with high-profile nominees before public confirmation hearings to speak candidly and gauge where the political nominee stands on critical issues. The war in Iraq is expected to be a dominant issue for lawmakers as they speak with Gates. One day after the Nov. 7 elections, Bush said he acknowledges the lack of progress being made in Iraq cost Republicans votes and handed majority control of Congress to Democrats. In a bid to salvage American support, Bush said he would consider a change in course and asked Rumsfeld to step down. Democrats did not immediately oppose Gates.
