Gates In

Robert Gates was sworn in today as the new defense secretary replacing Ronald Rumsfeld who had held that post since the beginning of the Bush Administration.

Robert Gates was sworn in Monday as secretary of defense at a crucial juncture in the Iraq war, a conflict that cost Donald H. Rumsfeld his job and likely will define Gates' Pentagon tenure. Gates took the oath of office in a private event at the White House, and later planned to attend a public swearing-in ceremony at the Pentagon, where the military brass and senior civilian officials are eager to see what changes he may bring.