Yes, letters are "machine-signed". When I worked on Capitol Hill 25 years ago, I had to work one of those infernal machines. It sounds insensitive, I know, and that's the reason the press has latched onto this, but the Sec. of Defense is really, really busy--doing things to save lives--and often away. I think he probably did what has always been done in Washington, but now that it has hit the press, he has said he would personally sign the letters. He is responding to the public. He is a wonderful man. Someone said this morning on the radio that Sec. of Defense are never popular in wartime. It goes with the territory and, fortunately, Rumsfled knows that. We are blessed that he consents to serve at an age where he could be enjoying life on the ranch with his wife. God bless him!
Agreed! And Bush will stick by him, and the Dems and the MSM will move on from this target, especially once it starts to backfire, like it always does . . .