From the AFP:

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates chose not to comment Monday on a magazine article that says the commander of US forces in the Middle East may soon be replaced because of his opposition to war with Iran.

"He's read the article in question and will not be commenting on it," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell, referring to Gates.
I have no idea how bureaucracies work at that level. Is Gates not dignifying a silly claim by responding to it? Or is he pointedly not supporting a subordinate publicly?