Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : CIA Nominee Gates Near Confirmation

Robert M. Gates appeared headed for confirmation as director of the Central Intelligence Agency as the Senate debated his nomination. “The question is no longer whether he will be confirmed, but by what margin,” said a Democratic aide to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Gates picked up endorsements from Sens. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.) and Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tex.). Two other Democrats, Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York and J. James Exon of Nebraska, said they would vote “no.”