Meet The New Boss...
...same as the old boss. Like most Navy folks, I've been waiting around to see who President-elect Obama is going to nominate to be the new Secretary of the Navy -- I've been predicting someone who's GLBTTQ, as a way of making some sort of political statement. This story from the Navy Times, however, reveals who Obama's first SecNav will be -- Donald Winter. He's agreed to stay on the job for up to 2 months until his replacement is named. I guess the incoming Administration thinks he's been doing an OK job. [The article also discusses why he thinks it's OK to have a 3 year gap between decommissioning USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and commissioning the Gerald Ford.]
What scuttlebutt have you heard about who's going to be the next SecNav?
posted by Bubblehead at 5:32 AM
18 Comments:
A stint as SecNav might be a holding position for Rich Danzig prior to a move up to SecDef. Danzig has a strong history in the E-Ring Navy, most recently as Navy Under Secretary in Clinton years.
The Great Mentioner had Danzig lined up as SecDef until Gates was asked to stay. But no one expects Gates to stay more than a year and this scenario for Danzig fits that timeframe.
Press accounts suggested that he is a player for this. He was one of the incoming Commander In Chief's kitchen cabinet on defense matters and by all accounts is exceptionally well suited to the job.
1/19/2009 6:38 AM
Seriously, I have heard Ted Turner's (yes that Ted) name mentioned.
1/19/2009 7:11 AM
Word in the building is that Danzig won't be showing up as either.
CDR Salamander has a good thread on this. Bottom line, though: everyone is pretty sure SECNAV will be Bob Work (likely) or Juan Garcia (dark horse).
1/19/2009 9:15 AM
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1/19/2009 12:16 PM
GLBTTQ ??
This seems to have a few more letters on it than the last time I have seen it written.
I wouldn't call it scuttlebutt since I am not really in a position to hear anything from actual naval personnel, but a name that showed up in print a few times is William White.
He is openly gay, which doesn't violate any military rules as SecNav is a civilian position. He is the Chief Operating Officer of the Intrepid Museum Foundation and has done a lot of work for the families of fallen and injured troops. This seems to be in line with Obama's desire to care for our returning veterans. White has also received support for this position from some retired Joint Chiefs and some congressmen.
I haven't seen much in the news about this lately, but judging from the articles that I have read about this last month, William White is a serious contender for the job.
1/19/2009 12:21 PM
GLBTTQ stands for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit and Queer.
That pretty much sums up anyone from the democratic party! When they repeal DADT this year, they will all be flocking to the sub force!
And bisexual? Give me a break...that's just someone who can't make a decision.
1/19/2009 2:43 PM
And bisexual? Give me a break...that's just someone who can't make a decision.
Nah, more like any port in a storm...
1/19/2009 2:49 PM
Stick with the GOP morons, they've done such a great job of taking care of the vets...Some of y geedunk boys couldn't handle the real (read: WWII) navy. A few invasions and you'd all be running home to mommy's port...
1/19/2009 3:00 PM
The Intrepid CEO was a non-starter when he was initially vetted.
1/19/2009 3:43 PM
"Stick with the GOP morons, they've done such a great job of taking care of the vets...Some of y geedunk boys couldn't handle the real (read: WWII) navy. A few invasions and you'd all be running home to mommy's port..."
Hmmm. Sounds as if you've "ported" in San Francisco a few times.
1/19/2009 5:26 PM
Geez, I thought this was a thread about a SECNAV job...and how quickly it degenerated...
Danzig has the credentials and the experience. I think Winter will be, like many other W. appointees in the job just until soon after his replacement is confirmed.
I think it bodes well for the country that the Obama folks asked a large number of Bush people to stay on until they could be replaced, and that many of those folks have chosen to do so.
I don't recall that happening in a while, I think it is a good idea.
1/19/2009 6:24 PM
I think part of the reason for asking folks to hang around was realizing just how badly the Bush administration was hurt by not having the second stringers in place while awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
It will be expected that they make no major policy decisions while in this caretaker status, but it will keep things rolling along. And from what I've seen, they've taken this approach in several departments.
1/19/2009 7:06 PM
I thought Zoe Brain was Australian. At least she knows submarines...
1/19/2009 7:43 PM
In consideration, let's not forget Sestak. -Rex
1/19/2009 9:16 PM
Re: Sestak
Yes, I'd like to see him and Mullen beat each other to death.
1/20/2009 6:31 AM
I really don't know who the next SECNAV will be...and at this point, I really don't care.
All I know is that we're in for a serious ride.
1/20/2009 6:59 AM
All democrats are evil...ooooh.
All republicans are smart...hmmm...
Nothing is ever that clear cut.
I have met republicans who cared about people, and democrats who have been strong on national defense.
I just hope the new SECNAV likes building ships, unlike one of our recent CNOs.
1/20/2009 12:22 PM
Vern Clark.
Wow.
Wow.
Now Roughead. He's committed to procurement in meaningful quantities.
It'll be very interesting to see what happens to submarine and ship procurement rates under this Congress and POTUS. I bet it goes UP as Teh One realizes that blue collar union workers are building ships and standing by to build more.
1/20/2009 1:01 PM
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