Former CIA Director Robert Gates' close relationship with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described in internal recollections

Former CIA Director Robert Gates' close relationship with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described in internal recollections The passage offers only anecdotal commentary about Gates' personal rapport with Clinton and his lobbying for a larger State Department budget. It lacks concrete allegations, transaction details, dates beyond general tenure, or evidence of wrongdoing, making it a low‑value, speculative lead. Key insights: Former senior CIA analyst Paul Pillar criticizes Gates' self‑promotion.; Gates reportedly courted Hillary Clinton after she became Secretary of State in 2009.; A lunch meeting was held at a historic table formerly used by Jefferson Davis.