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.

[liberty_lvr]

It's your type of bull-headedness-thinking that will keep us in that damn Iraq another 10 years...

Yeah. So how's that occupation of Germany/Japan going, Slick? 61 years and still counting?

Anybody who thought we were just going to slip in, oust the bad man, and slide right out again needs to go back to playing their XBox. You don't give up a strategic position in the heart of the enemies' territory so weak-willed mushbrains like you can sleep with a clear conscience at night.

Gawd you people have no understanding of military strategy at all.

[Long Island Pete]

Hate to say it but if he did it 2 weeks ago maybe we would have won.

[BigEdLB]

So, how about Rudy?

[uncbob]

Bush better start pushing for some results, because his dilatory prosecution of the war is heading towards disaster.

Iraq is just a reflection of Bush's Compassionate Conservative personality .

Oh I I guess we won't be hearing that BS Cliche " Don't play poker with George Bush " on this site anymore

[Democratshavenobrains]

This election isn't even Bush's fault. Its the fault of all the retards we had running as Republicans who are under indictment or being homos.

[kenth]

lol. That may be one of the few bright spots to look forward to the next few days; the lengthy and ranty opus.

[concerned about politics]

W needs to find his balls...this is looking bad.

The poor guy has to battle the terrorists, the democrat's pro-enemy propaganda, the ACLU stealing all his weapons, and AlJaherraABCNBCCBSCNNMSNBC. Enemies are coming against him from every direction, and he's the only one trying to protect the American people.

He's had to dea with more attacks inside as well as outside than any other American president in history, because the anti-American legions are many.

[linear]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the President is free to choose his VP - there is no need for congressional confirmation for VP.

[TexKat]

Bush says Rumsfeld is stepping down

By DAVID ESPO and LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Wednesday Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is stepping down and former CIA Director Robert Gates will take over at the Pentagon and in prosecuting the war in Iraq.

Rumsfeld, architect of an unpopular war in Iraq, intends to resign after six stormy years at the Pentagon, Republican officials said.

The development occurred one day after midterm elections that cost Republicans control of the House, and possibly the Senate, as well. Surveys of voters at polling places said opposition to the war was a significant contributor to the Democratic victory.

Bush described Rumsfeld as a "superb leader" in a time of change, but said his defense chief recognizes the value of "fresh perspective." He said Rumsfeld is a "trusted adviser and friend," and that he's "deeply grateful" for his service to the country. Bush said he and Rumsfeld agreed that "the timing is right for new leadership" at the Pentagon.

Last week, as he campaigned to save the Republican majority, Bush declared that Rumsfeld would remain at the Pentagon through the end of his term.

Rumsfeld, 74, was in his second tour of duty as defense chief. He first held the job a generation ago, when he was appointed by President Ford.

Gates is the president of Texas A&M University and a close friend of the Bush family. He served as CIA director for Bush's father from 1991 until 1993.

Gates first joined the CIA in 1966 and served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century, under six presidents.

His nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.

Whatever confidence Bush retained in Rumsfeld, the Cabinet officer's support in Congress had eroded significantly. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House speaker-in-waiting, said at her first post-election news conference that Bush should replace the top civilian leadership at the Pentagon.

And Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who had intervened in the past to shore up Rumsfeld, issued a statement saying, "Washington must now work together in a bipartisan way — Republicans and Democrats — to outline the path to success in Iraq."

[jpsb]

sounds like total denial to me, I think he's cracking up.

[BigEdLB]

Has to be confirmed by a majority of both houses of congress... Amendment 25.

[CedarDave]

After the disappointment of last night..I just wish I didn't have to have another one so soon...(feeling sorry for myself..lol)

Best to get it over with all at once! LOL

[guinnessman]

If he fired Rumsfeld two weeks before the election, it would've been interpreted by the DBM as an admission of failure. The media would've smelled blood in the water, and the losses would've been greater.

[FFIGHTER]

When is everyone at the RNC going to resign? Wait, that would take leadership, and they have none.

[MinuteGal]

I feel like jumping on myself, LOL.

However, look for the clues. The first one came a few minutes ago in the President's presser....."I'm going to work very closely with the Baker committee."

I don't think this needs amplification.

Leni

[The Bronze Titan]

-"So how's that occupation of Germany/Japan going, Slick? 61 years and still counting? "

You're disclosing your intelligence.

- How much destruction was conducted on Germany/population before the Allies arrived?

- Did this have anything to do with the German's ulitimate 'will to fight' when the Allies arrived?

- How large an invading/occupation force was used then / now?

Yep. Keep thinking you're right. I hope your kind is not taking us into war again with your mentallity!

[BigSkyFreeper]

Hate to say it but if he did it 2 weeks ago maybe we would have won.

I think the losses would have been much more significant in the election if this happened two weeks ago. The media has been trying for the longest time to get him to admit failure in his administration.

[daybreakcoming]

Well just crap. I am stuned. Where do we sign up for surrender?/sarc

[FreedomNeocon]

Meanwhile... last week we had this from Nasrallah, the leader of Hamas. I'm so glad he is being proven right.

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1734798/posts

When I talk about an [American] failure, I'm not saying that the Americans' plan for the region has collapsed, and that they are packing up their things and leaving, like what happened in the final days in Vietnam.

But I would like to tell you clearly... I am one of those people who see a very clear picture. In our childhood... When we were young boys... I cannot forget the sight of the American forces leaving Vietnam in helicopters, which carried their officers and soldiers. Some Vietnamese, who had fought alongside the Americans, tried to climb into these helicopters, but the [Americans] threw them to the ground, abandoned them, and left. This is the sight I anticipate in our region. But I am not saying it will happen in months. It will take years. The Americans will gather their belongings and leave this region - the entire region. They have no future whatsoever in our region. They will leave the Middle East, and the Arab and Islamic worlds, like they left Vietnam. I advise all those who place their trust in the Americans to learn the lesson of Vietnam, and to learn the lesson of the South Lebanese Army with the Israelis, and to know that when the Americans lose this war – and lose it they will, Allah willing - they will abandon them to their fate, just like they did to all those who placed their trust in them throughout history.

[TexKat]

Robert M. Gates, who served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under President George H. W. Bush