it's a virtual certainty that there will be at least 1 republican in obama's cabinet. above all, gates is competent....which is exactly what was needed after the first 5 + years of 'rumsfeldian' fuck ups. however, i wouldn't be totally surprised if he didn't want to step down in january....my feeling at the time was that he took the job not because he wanted it, but rather felt duty bound to take it.