EKB News

Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning stood nearly alone Wednesday in opposing Robert Gates as defense secretary, saying President Bush's choice offered criticism but no solutions to the ongoing Iraq war. Bunning joined fellow Republican Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania in voting against Gates, who was easily confirmed on a 95-2 vote. It was the second time this year that Bunning, a Bush ally, had parted with the president on a high-profile confirmation vote. Kentucky's other senator, soon-to-be Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, predicted that Gates would be a "strong leader" for the Pentagon and said he was "ready to hit the ground running." Bunning said he didn't view Gates as the best person to handle the Pentagon post at a time of war.