GATES/REMARK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000301270068-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2012
• Sequence Number: 68
• Publication Date: February 19, 1987
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

STAT
Li Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/10: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301270068-2
rtt..C.J3 LINILKARILUDIAI,
19 February 1987
FILE ONLY
GATES /REMARK
WASHINGTON
Acting CIA Director Robert Gates apparently fell victim to a live
microphone when he made an off-the-cuff remark while being photographed before
his second day of confirmation proceedings to be CIA director.
Asked Wednesday about a report that he had said, "You can take this job and
shove it," Gates told reporters, "That's not so.'
But then he said, "I made a joking remark and should have covered the
microphone. I should say that I think that's most unfortunate frankly that it
was heard. That was an offhanded attempt to make a joke with photographers."
A radio reporter listening to the pool feed of the hearing said reporters
heard Gates laughing and joking before the proceeding began. At one point, he
said, "Remember that old country and western song, 'Take This Job and Shove
It.'"
Singer Johnny Paycheck popularized the song in the late 1970s.
President Reagan unknowingly was picked up by a live microphone prior to one
of his Saturday radio broadcasts. in a reference to the Soviet Union, he was -
heard saying, "We begin bombing in five minutes."
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/10: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301270068-2