Source: Army secretary resigns on Rumsfeld's demand

CNN.com ^ | 4/25/03

[Hipixs]

WASHINGTON (CNN) --Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld demanded U.S. Army Secretary Tom White step down Friday, a senior Pentagon official said, a move that follows two years of contention between the two.

The official said Rumsfeld called White into his office and demanded his resignation, which White provided.

[WOSG]

"but some of the bureaucrats at the Pentagon aren't happy, because the last administration pretty much left them alone, and Rummy is making them work, and holding them to account."

God forbid we actually get our money's worth out of a $400 billion / year department!

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

"Like I name-called, he's a [insert baseless acusation]. An arrogant one too." So there. (when in doubt, call someone arrogant)

Brilliant point Fred. Bet you're happy in just a few short weeks you'll be done, then next fall its on to High School.

[dufekin]

Although I share your elation over the progress thusfar made in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the United States of America has not won and still has much work to do. Reports indicate that the Saddam Hussein regime will either surrender unconditionally or be declared terminated next week. Until then, we still have fighting to do, although it is unclear at this point exactly where in Iraq, save for a few terrorists and paramilitaries.

[Hipixs]

Isn't that strange?

Just a little dig by the CNN reporter being true to form. He had to reach way back to find an expression of support by Rummy. Using the phrase, "a senior Pentagon official said" is often an indication of a reporter's vivid imagination or agenda.

[68skylark]

I can't say I've formed much of an opinion about Secretary White. I appreciate his willingness to serve his country, the same as I appreciate everyone in the military chain of command from each E-1 to the President -- it's not easy. And to the extent Secretary White played a role in recent U. S. victories on the battlefield I respect him even more.

[Fred Mertz]

Rumsfeld is mediocre at best. Too bad you don't know it.

[Cogadh na Sith]

The Army (at the policy/doctrine level) has certainly lost its way. This resignation should come as a surprise to no one....

The troops (I'm a troop) are second to none. The 'leadership', between White, Shitsacki and a few others have let us all down.

Hope it will change....

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Rumsfeld is mediocre at best. Too bad you don't know it.

More insightful analysis from Fred. I will encorporate it into my dramatically different apprehension of Mr Rumsfield tonight.

[Fred Mertz]

I don't know Secretary White personally, but everyone who knows him, that I know, says he's top shelf.

Unlike Rummy.

[justshe]

****Brilliant point Fred. Bet you're happy in just a few short weeks you'll be done, then next fall its on to High School.****

ROFL!!!!!!

[Minty]

Quite weird. I wondered too.

[Amelia]

Please read my #16, and see if your opinion coincides with what I've heard from other "troops"?

Thanks, and thank you for your service.

[fish hawk]

"Rummy is an idiot" I dont think so. The idiot is the guy that blew up an aspirin factory and some camels, and the others that advised him.

[Lauratealeaf]

What I hear is that most of the military loves Rummy, because he knows what he's talking about and he shoots straight -- but some of the bureaucrats at the Pentagon aren't happy, because the last administration pretty much left them alone, and Rummy is making them work, and holding them to account.

Exactly. Rummy has shaken up the Clinton installed generals and civilian political appointees. Soon Shinseki will retire and the climate in the army is going to be cleaned up. I suspect that White and some of his cronies might have been the un-named snipers of the war-plan, Franks and Rumsfeld that the media reported.

[mercy]

Ya see this Colin? This is how it's done. Now go out there and chop off some deserving heads. You whimp!

[justshe]

Thanks for being a 'troop'.

For your sake, I hope it changes too. With Rummy at the helm, it looks like some necessary changes are already being made?

[Cogadh na Sith]

You are 'dead-on'. White was a bureaucrat/manager--not a leader. He not only crossed Rummy, but gave no direction or course to the Army as a branch. I've seen this coming for 6 months, but you don't want to fire the Sec Army before a war, do you? This way: "Good job: Next!"

[Fred Mertz]

No, Rumsfeld has been given his second chance to try to get things right. He had the job 25 years ago.

He's doing better, but he's still a pompous idiot.

[Z-28]

"We have them surrounded in their tanks."

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/#quotes

[justshe]

"I suspect that White and some of his cronies might have been the un-named snipers of the war-plan, Franks and Rumsfeld that the media reported. "

That makes sense.....and would certainly explain a lot. We had a poster on these boards that was prone to 'leaking' classified info...partly for self-importance to the posters here, but he also published articles extremely critical of Rumsfield et al, and the war plan. Needless to say, he is gone from FR....and was reassigned OUT of the Pentagon.

Another one of those civilian 'military' know-it-alls.