Robert Gates actually said...

He would be candid and honest, willing to tell the President straight from the shoulder what he needs to hear.

Gates describes Tillerson's qualities as an advisor to the President.

01/10/2017

More Robert Gates Quotes

I think part of the problem is that at the end of the Cold War, we were affected by triumphalism or hubris, whatever you want to call it.

The President does not like having countervailing opinions, he does not like being disagreed with.

I'm kind of pessimistic for the near term.

Allies are a huge asset and in not understanding that I think is a real problem.