The Beltway Insiders and Pundits say the following about Gates retention:

1. He wants to go and at most will stay a year, and

2. That most of his Deputy and Assistant Secretaries he currently has will leave, and be replaced.

The concern is that Item #2 will leave him isolated and ineffective during his remaining tenure. I think Secretary Gates has done a great job and he should be treated as an outstanding resource by the incoming administration.