FedTracker: Defense secretary meets Obama's team

The Defense Department confirms that Defense Secretary Robert Gates has met with president-elect Barack Obama's transition team, reports AFP.

According to Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, the meeting was a briefing for Obama's team. Gates offered his insights on the likely early challenges might be for the next secretary, Morrell said. However, it has been widely rumored that Obama might ask Gates to stay on as Secretary for at least part of the Obama administration.

Morrell declined to comment on the rumors, but said the Nov. 20 meeting is likely the first of several as the Pentagone tries to bring Obama's people up to speed on the nation's defense challenges.