MSNBC/AP Bulletin: Rumsfeld Steps Down

MSNBC/AP | 11.8.06

[mhking]

This is just crossing my desk now; nothing follows yet. According to some sources this is the subject of the noon presser.

[RushCrush]

If you write an opus will you ping me to it? :)

[MineralMan]

Well, I predicted in 2004 that Cheney would resign so a VP that could run for President in 2008 could be in place.

Too late for that now, actually, I fear. Nobody good could get confirmed. If Cheney resigns, it will be because President Bush asks him to, and that would be because President Bush felt that Cheney had led him down the wrong path.

You may have noticed that Cheney isn't talking nearly as much as he did in the first term.

[ilovew]

I don't think I trust him anymore. What happened to the strong leader I voted for?

[moehoward]

No kidding. He is looking panicked.

"I'm not making decisions based on politics/popularity"

Then why the sudden Rummy departure?

[prairiebreeze]

I hear ya. Timing has never been this adminstrations strong suit.

Maybe they decided since everybody was feeling like hell anyway, be better to get this done and then start rebuilding.

One can hope.

[uncbob]

Now, he has to resign right away so Bush can get his replacement through a majority-Republican Senate in the lame-duck session.

DEMs can filibuster judges why not SOD

[Irish Eyes]

Maybe GWB wants to appoint a new sec. now though while the Repubs are still in control because when Dems have their Senate majority he probably wont be able to get any nominees through.

So they filibuster until then.

He stands a better chance now than if he waits until Jan. I believe

[moehoward]

"Boy, Bush isn't very loyal is he? For someone that demands it, he certainly doesn't return it. Rummy is/was/will always be terrific. I am soooooo disappointed in Bush."

Shocking isn't it?

[DesScorp]

Rush is right...we should refer to them from now on as MSDNC. That's what they are.

[guinnessman]

He looks very frustrated.

[RushCrush]

Not really, they usually drop out after the first of the year or the first term, and that turnover already happened.

It's not the normal course of events to have the SOD resign the DAY AFTER election day.

[auto power]

The democrats are the party of evil...the republicans are the party of stupid...we just proved that last night.

[Salvation]

Question. Will Bush accept it?

I don't think so.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Ok, so did Bush jusst admit he lied?

Yes, he did. I heard the same thing.

The only way to answer that question and get you on to another question was to give you that answer.

Why does he do press conferences? He's not a fast enough thinker to do them well.

[RushCrush]

Just a little late, I would say. It's never wise for a chief executive to tolerate and reward incompetence for this long.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me what EXACTLY Rumsfeld did wrong.

[BigEdLB]

As I asked earlier, what if Cheney no resigned during a congressional recess? Could Bush recess appoint someone?

Or Cheney could resign, effective with the swaring in of his successor, then if congress doesn't act, recess appoint his choice when congress goes on their break. They do take so many...

[snarkpup]

He is looking panicked.

I'm listening to this on the radio so I'm not sure how he is looking; but he sounds like he's ready to collapse and give up on everything.

[dinodino]

I really feel horribly for Misters President and Vice-President for having to work with these arseclowns for the next two years.

I hate to say it, but Mr. Bush really made his bed. Now he has to lie in it.

I'm so disappointed I could spit. Why didn't they do this a couple of days ago?

[RinaseaofDs]

bingo

[GraniteStateConservative]

Oh, and then he began his next statement with "And the truth of the matter is..." which suggests what he had said previously was not the truth of the matter.