Bush Says Rumsfeld Is Stepping Down

WaPo ^ | 11/8/2006 | Staff

[Dark Skies]

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.

[taxed2death]

...apparently your view does not represent that of the POTUS or the majority of those residing in the US. Deal with it.

[Leisler]

Less boots are the future. Fat, lazy soft Americans are not going to accept a draft of their little kids. The age demographics of potential labor supply for the military is declining. We are going to have to pay and pay more for a professional military. Right now we are living off gooey sentiment. Trust me, with out a draft, we'll be paying PFC's a 50k/yr. So Rummy trying, thinking ahead to the days when this American doesn't serve and doesn't have the money, was ahead of the curve. If it is between old folks, government unions, farmers and everyone else's who's snout in buried in the public trough, soldiers are going to lose.

I don't like it, but that's the trendline in America. Rummy was just dealing with reality.

[alnick]

I think Rumsfeld did a decent job, but he's a mere mortal. Will anyone tell me mistakes weren't made in Iraq?

Rummy himself would be the first to tell, as he's said many times before, that mistakes have been made in Iraq, as they are in any war. No one thinks otherwise. He is appreciated by many conservatives, but that does not translate into he's somehow higher than a mere mortal and can never make a mistake.

It seems, in fact, as though you're suggesting that he should step down so that someone who is incapable of making mistakes can replace him.

[RoadTest]

"I hope this isn't happening."

It doesn't ring true. I hope that's not just wishful thinking.

[mkjessup]

What's with this list stuff?
I'm making a list of those who dare to ask about The List.
You're on it.
; )

And I'M making a list of those who are putting people on The List, and YOU are on MY 'List'!! So there!!! ;)

[Paul Ross]

Finally, the Dems have been in a position to throw stones at the Republicans on every issue, crying and saying they have a better way. Well, now it's time to put up or shut up. The Democrats will have the chance to fix things, or they will be exposed.

We all know the Rats won't "fix" anything. But they will likely not be "exposed" therein. Not by the MSM anyways. And not by this "bipartisan" adminstration. W Already phoned and congratulated Pelosi for _____ sake!

[George W. Bush]

"Both those men (Cheney and Rumsfeld) are doing fantastic jobs and I strongly support them." --Bush, seven days ago

When he said that, he believed we'd hold the Senate.

Things have changed.

Do you actually expect pre-election predictions and statements to be true? What, this was your first election?

[RoadTest]

"I hope this isn't happening."

It doesn't ring true. I hope that's not just wishful thinking. Anyway, look at the source!

[ichabod1]

Zawahiri says "Our glorious fighters have broken the will of the Americans just as we have done (Allah be Praised) in Spain, England, Thailand, and France. I tell you Americans convert now before it it too late!"

[Paul Ross]

Yup.

Check this sentiment out: 7thSon

[George W. Bush]

And I'M making a list of those who are putting people on The List, and YOU are on MY 'List'!!

Oh, damn, now I'm screwed.

[prous]

I was actually wondering about Cheyney stepping down after the Rummy announcement because just last week Bush expressed his 'strong support' for both of them. And then suddenly Rumsfeld steps down. I'm sure they had this planned for a while now. So I'm wondering if we'll hear about Cheyney's retirement shortly.

But who would replace him?

[Lijahsbubbe]

I disagree. They lost so badly because the MSM portrayed the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld conduct of the war as a losing effort. Facts be damned.

I agree. And the soundbite fed of America gobble up every bit of it.

If Rumsfeld wasn't there, the media and liberals would have attacked someone else.

[rfp1234]

--They would impeach Cheney as well.--

You can't impeach the Prez. and VP simultaneously, so whomever is picked as VP by President Cheney would become the incumbent.

Let them try, if they want to look like freaking idiots.
Impeach a Prez. in time of war, rrrrrright. Just today there were reports of a big suicide attack against Pakistani Army.

Terrorists are dancing in the streets. So it goes.

[bcsco]

No problem. I didn't hear the beginning of Bush's news conference, so told my wife over the phone that Rummy resigned. Now I'll have to tell her when she gets home tonight it was a forced resignation. Oh, well.

I'm very sorry to see him go. The situation in Iraq is larger than one man's influence. So is the inability of this administration to influence policy.

What bothers me is that this resignation seems to fit the Democrat agenda. It looks like caving on the part of Bush (and it possibly may be). I sure hope we don't see further bowing to Democrat agenda issues by the WH. If so, Bush is toast as far as his place in history goes.

[Dark Skies]

Two word mandate: Bug and Out. We're bugging out of Iraq and Afghanistan. All done, war's over, declared loss and get out.

This war won't be over until the islamofascists say its over. If we pull out of Iraq, it'll either become the next Somalia or part of Iran.

[ichabod1]

Is Condi next?

We can only pray.

[mkjessup]

Oh, damn, now I'm screwed.
131 posted on 11/08/2006 2:37:11 PM EST by George W. Bush

I presume I don't have to point out the ironic similarity of your post #131 with what your namesake may have actually been saying early, early this AM?

Have to start a new List now. LOL

[taxed2death]

"You know nothing about Counter Insurgency..."

Apparently neither does Rummy.