Clinton, Gates interview fuels job rumors

3gzylon 2010-11-10

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09:11, November 10, 2010

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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Tuesday appeared in a nationally televised interview, responding to questions weather Clinton can take over the Pentagon after Gates' planned exit next year, fueling rumors about Clinton's possible job switch.

Responding to a question as whether Clinton can do his job from ABC's Cynthia McFadden, Gates responded with "sure." He then went on to explain Clinton's current job as "spokesperson for the United States" is quite different from the one he has now.

Clinton, who sat beside Gates in the interview, said she didn't want Gates to go. "We're hoping that that timeline keeps moving further and further beyond. We came in together, we should go out together," Clinton said, noting she loves the job she has. The interview aired in ABC's "Good Morning America."

Gates told Foreign Policy magazine in an interview published in August that he would quit his job next year. Gates said by 2011, they will know if the strategy the administration is implementing is working in Afghanistan, and "it seems like somewhere there in 2011 is a logical opportunity to hand off."

The Obama administration has not chosen a successor to Gates, but rumors that Clinton might be the next Pentagon chief have been circulating in Washington in recent days.

Source: Xinhua