Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Urge a Hold on Gates Hearings Until New Senate Convenes

This is from VoteVets.org:

VoteVets.org, a group representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, urged restraint on hearings and a vote on the President's nominee to succeed Donald Rumsfeld at the Department of Defense, until the new Senate convenes.

Said Iraq war veteran and co-founder of VoteVets.org Jon Soltz:

"The Senate that is currently seated contains a number of Members, whose votes demonstrate that they have little to no grasp of issues our troops face in Iraq. It would be a disservice to our troops still in harm's way to allow these Senators to have a vote when it comes to the new Secretary of Defense.

"Mr. Gates has a number of serious questions to answer about how his tenure would differ from Secretary Rumsfeld's, and the current Senate has shown very little interest in asking the tough questions. Troops would be much better served by having the new Senate vetting Bob Gates.

"The American people spoke on Tuesday, and clearly want a new Senate to take oversight duties when it comes to the war and military issues, and that vote should be respected. No hearings or votes on Bob Gates should take place until the new Senate is sworn in."