according to John Deutch, director of central intelligence and a deputy secretary of defense under President Bill Clinton, in a November 15, 2006 New York Times op-ed:

....In particular, we must take a new approach to Iran....Two years ago, Mr. Gates and the national security adviser in the Carter administration, Zbigniew Brzezinski, led a Council on Foreign Relations committee that recommended a more active approach to Iran centered on a “compartmentalized process of dialogue, confidence building and incremental engagement.” Mr. Gates’s work on the committee demonstrated his pragmatic approach to foreign policy and his ability to work effectively with those of differing ideologies.

...a few will raise questions, based on Mr. Gates’s involvement in the Iran-contra affair, about his ability to control covert operations. In this, I have full confidence in Mr. Gates’s judgment. When I was the C.I.A. chief, my job was made easier by the way Mr. Gates had structured the partnership between the directorate of operations and the directorate of intelligence during his tenure in order to ensure that operations were launched only after disciplined analytic thinking of consequences.

To President Bush, for his choice of Robert Gates, I say “bravo,” a word I’ll bet he has not heard a lot recently. Congress should confirm the nominee promptly, thank him for his willingness to serve, and tell him we expect great results.

Related:

News Release: Council on Foreign Relations:

Lack of Engagement with Iran Threatens U.S. National Interests in Critical Region of the World, Concludes Council-Sponsored Task Force

July 19, 2004

Policy Based on Regime Change Not Likely to Succeed; New U.S. Approach Needed

The lack of sustained engagement with Iran harms American interests, and direct dialogue with Tehran on specific areas of mutual concern should be pursued, concludes a Council-sponsored Independent Task Force, Iran: Time for a New Approach....

Co-chaired by former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski and former Director of Central Intelligence Robert M. Gates...

by Matthew Yglesias on his blog. Interesting reader comments so far, too.

While reading election analysis, especially a lot of the anecdotal quotes from those who said they changed their voting habits this time, I have been at times more reminded of ROSS PEROT's presidential race than of a pro-Dem or pro-progressive "blue wave."

Lots of those swing types casting deciding votes sound like Perot voters did, the same concerns, the same disillusion with both parties. They just want someone to "do something, damn it, try something." Perot used to play that tune big time, i.e. "what's the big deal, just get to work and fix the problem," quit this politics stuff. I do see a little of the "we're going to get to work and do something" meme in Pelosi's recent statements.

It would be so interesting to know how many former Perot supporters helped Democratic candidates this time. Can someone do it?