[Museum Twenty]

MNJohnnie, thank you for your well-thought-out comments.

I have grown so tired of Conventional Wisdom kicking Bush and Rumsfeld for their work on the war.

If I recall correctly, excepting the start of the war, there was never broad Congressional support. Bush and Rumsfeld did all they could do to put as much force into Iraq as possible.

If they could have sent in more strength, I am sure they would have done so. As it was, they showed great political skill in walking a very narrow tightrope on the issue.

And when Bush “threw” Rumsfeld under the bus, I expect that it was Rumsfeld who wanted it done, seeing the act as a way to keep our effort going forward.

PS: I have no position on McCain's actions.

Regards,

[MNJohnnie]

After the 2006 election Rummy knew he was gone. Too many Congresscritter wanted his scalp for cutting too much of their pork out of the Defense budget. He was a dead goose politically.

He knew it.

He and Bush simply made the smart political play. Rummy put his ego 2nd and fell on his political sword for the good of the Nation. He let himself be the scapegoat for Iraq taking longer then planned. Gave the President the time to change the media template on Iraq

Rummy was a different kind of hero and he will never get the credit he deserves from the Dincons nor the Left. Maybe history will be kinder. He is, after all, the longest serving Sec Def to date.