Posted on 11/08/2006 10:27:18 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I was on another thread and was told not to critize, it was some kind of Rumsfeld love fest. Is this the same deal?
I think Rumsfeld did a decent job, but he's a mere mortal. Will anyone tell me mistakes weren't made in Iraq? Most serious challenges are not met without mistakes. I think the lack of communication of the progress in Iraq and Rumsfeld's strong favortism of technology over infantry cost him. I wish him a good life. I hope the country recognizes his contribution, and that Mr. Rumsfeld is satisfied with his work. But I am one who think it was time for him to go. (In fact, it's about 2 months too late).
Bush said earlier in his news conference that Rummy convinced him to accept the resignation yesterday.
"Both those men (Cheney and Rumsfeld) are doing fantastic jobs and I strongly support them."
--Gee W. Bush, seven days ago
Hillary beat you to it. She has a string of Burqua stores planned. And, the female surgery the Moslems like will be covered under Hillary care.
Good call, chief. Rummy's penchant for autopenned letters of condolences to the families of fallen loved ones, his "go to war with the Army you have" when armor is scarce and IEDs are exploding everywhere didn't much help is statue.
Hahahahahaha. This has to be a JOKE. He couldn't make this move a month ago? 2 Weeks ago? No, he does it the day AFTER they loose their power. Hahahahahaha
He should have done this 2 immediately after the last (2004) election. Doing it now makes the whole administration look bad. Is Condi next?
The prez should keep Rummy around. He's a good man. Maybe he could alternate press briefings with Tony Snow. That would be a blast!
Hillary is going to have her hands full carrying a cross, bible, koran, budha and a Ron L Hubbard book.
Great move... now the Dems will be on our side when it comes to voting on Social Security Reform and the Fair Tax.
That said, throwing Rumsfeld under the bus will only whet the appetite of the Dems who will now start calling for Cheney's resignation. I only hope that the Baker/Hamilton group is not just another way to retreat gracefully rather than running to the helicopters.
I am not worrying about impeachment. If clinton taught us anything, it is that the impeachment ceremony does not matter to anyone.
Would he be able to accept the change in his role this would involve ("As a loyal supporter of the President, of course I support this re-evaluation 100%)?
Would anyone believe him if he said it?
I think that dumping Rummy is political and unfortunate because of his efforts not only in Iraq, but in reshaping the military from fighting only huge intensive strategic conflicts to being able to effectively fight counter-insurgencies. Nonetheless, the fellow replacing him is a bad choice. He is an admin type at best as Ops and CS CIA folks don't make it to be a director. We need soldiers in charge, not people with fancy degrees.
Anyways, it doesn't bode well for a vast number of things. W's word is now in the toilet, and a lot of allies will see that. Furthermore, our military will now be dubious of any orders they get...as they can expect to be the fall guys for the failure of the President's policy. And they can also expect to get no help or defense if they are prosecuted for some damn war crime that the jihadists or the Communists hoax up...and the RATs demand Hearings and Impeachment of the President over...
"Take a break people..."
I see some positive in all this.
Iraq is going slow, maybe a new perspective, a different plan will work. I know it will take time, but I had hoped to be a bit further along by now, perhaps more into a drawdown of troops.
I'm in Ohio... Ohio Republicans did a lot of harm. Maybe this will inspire some integrity in the Republicans here.
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.
If they fix things... how can that be bad? Fixed is fixed, right?
If they fail, and expose themselves as the power hungry, vison-less hacks we all know they are, then the Republicans will be in great position for the presidency in '08.
A week? Took precisely one really rotten day...November 7th.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.