this characterization of him shouldn't come as a surprise. >> this is more from gates on the "today" show this morning. take a listen. >> i don't vilify anybody. i make clear that i have a lot of respect for both president bush and president obama and just like on afghanistan, i think that what has been lost in the news media is that -- i actually agreed with virtually every decision president obama made on afghanistan. >> again, we should note for viewers he's wearing a neck brace as a result of a previous accident. >> he fell on a hallway rug apparently according to a report in the "washington post" today. >> i read that. that was one heck of a fall. >> you get through afghanistan then the rug gets you. >> what he just said about folks are taking away from the book, is that an accurate characterization? >> personally, i find that to be correct. it's a common theme, executive branch members, leaving washington with a lot of rancor