he seems to have the confidence of the white house. although gates really was uniquely close to this president. >> he was. >> the bond they forged. >> it is, and you don't envy anyone who would replace robert gates. they feel like unfillable shoes, but the sense is if anyone can, it would be leon panetta. i'm told it was robert gates himself who recruited pannetta, picked his successor and said this is who it should be. and as far as i can tell, there was never really any other serious candidate considered. the president called panetta monday and offered him the job on tuesday. panetta accepted. and then the other big piece of it, of course, is general david petraeus. petraeus was -- did a solid for the administration in terms of taking over the mission in afghanistan at a time when mcchrystal -- stanley mcchrystal firing happened. and in some ways, i think the white house knew they kind of owed him one. he wanted to come back stateside, and so he'll land at cia. >> and take off the uniform and leave military service with what a distinguished career. thank you, savannah guthrie.