Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and moderator David Gergen led a question and answer discussion in the Hughes-Trigg Ballroom on Tuesday as part of the SMU Tate Lecture Series.
The audience was comprised of over 250 SMU students, faculty and alumni as well as students from local high schools such as Greenhill School and The Hockaday School.
Gates served under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama as the 22nd U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Gates was the first person in the history of the United States who was asked to remain Secretary of Defense by a newly elected president. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, from President Obama after retiring in June 2011.
Gates began his career in the CIA, where he spent 27 years as an intelligence professional. He also served as interim dean and then president of Texas A&M University.
Gergen, a senior political analyst for CNN, served as an adviser to four U.S. presidents and expressed only praise for Gates.
“[Gates] is the epitome of what a good public servant and patriot of this country is,” Gergen said. “You are lucky to be here today.”
Students were invited to ask whatever questions they had for Gates. Topics ranged from national security and technology to space exploration. One student asked about service in the military.
“Everybody owes the country something — some kind of service,” Gates said, who emphasized that Americans should be expected to pay back the country for their freedom and liberty they have been given, regardless of the means of service.
Gates expressed how much confidence he has in eliminating terrorism in the United States post 9/11 thanks to those fighting as well as the government. However, he explained that when failed attempts to avoid terrorist attacks produce the sort of political criticism in our society, he believes America needs to get a grip.
“It [harsh criticism from the public] suggests that America is living in fear, and that’s not the America I grew up in,” Gates said.
Regarding the Obama administration’s success in the death of Osama Bin Laden, Gates said, “It was one of the most, if not the most courageous decisions I’ve seen a president make, and he’s [Obama’s] the eighth one I’ve served.”
