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.

[Fred Mertz]

I'll bet you love the cameras too.

[MEG33]

Please explain the attitude of those who disparage success.Is it possible to? I sometimes get confused about the mind set..or is it best to ignore ?

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Rumsfeld is mediocre at best.

If Rumsfeld is mediocre, Bush needs to find exactly how mediocre he is and demand the same kind of mediocrity from each of his other cabinet secretaries.

[justshe]

Interesting Rumsfield thread! White resignation. Anyone else want to 'opine'?

[Amelia]

His morning meetings are before 7 a.m.

And P.T. is at what time?

[Cogadh na Sith]

Fred, I respect you and your experience greatly.

I generally agree with your analysis on subjects and I know that you are a "Been There, Done That" guy. Unfortunately, regardless of your opinion of Rumsfeld, White was a pogue.

He did no good for the Army. He lost every budget battle, provided no direction, and was a liability as Secretary....

[justshe]

Thank you....I couldn't have said it better myself.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Are you saying that those dead were all killed by the enemy or friendly fire and accidents? Most were not from enemy actions. The fact is, even Rummy was surprized that the enemy caved. We had firefights, you bet, but our advatage was incredible and the enemy primarily refused to fight.

Rummy micromanaged the war according to generals that threw a fit about it, especially about supply lines. That makes Rummy a politician no better than MacNamara. Even Powell, the commanding general of the first gulf war is at odds with Rummy, or does Powells accomplishment then not count.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"He did no good for the Army. He lost every budget battle, provided no direction, and was a liability as Secretary...."

Probably so, but Rummyis still someone who is not fit for the job.

[Iwo Jima]

What we need to remember about Fred Mertz is that he supports Larry Klayman 100%. Enough said?

While anyone is free to disagree with Rumsfeld or anyone else about any decision which has been made, to declare Rumsfeld an "idiot" is to expose one's self as that very thing.

[Fred Mertz]

I think Rummy was assigned to get it right on his second go 'round.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Rummy is a show hound. How many executives can spend two hours each day giving press briefings on national TV?

I'd hesitate to contemplate what our military can accomplish if Rummy spent four hours a day giving press briefings.

[Hipixs]

Rummy is a show hound. How many executives can spend two hours each day giving press briefings on national TV?

Rumsfeld generally has two press briefings a week of about 35-45 minutes in length. For proof, consult News Archive.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Oh yes, the Sec. of DEFENSE, during a war "

Well, that shows your lack of current events. He has held press briefings long before the war. Besides, he has a staff of public relations folk who are to do the job, even Bush has those. Sure, Rummy and Bush should get out and saya few things here and there, but daily?? Get real. He is a camera hound.

[Fred Mertz]

What rock did you crawl from under?

[Cogadh na Sith]

Rummy micromanaged the war according to generals that threw a fit about it, especially about supply lines. That makes Rummy a politician no better than MacNamara

No. The difference is that Rummy has actually fought in wars and our generals have not. The generals we have now are political animals and Rummy has 'Been there--Done that'.

Quite simply: McNamara was a pogue, his generals were warriors--now, the generals are pogues and the secretary is a warrior. Huge difference!

[PatrioticAmerican]

"chastises them in private"

Sure, that makes sense, but were talking about a firing not a chastising.

[Cogadh na Sith]

History may show that some day, but White was unfit Right Now.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"His morning meetings are before 7 a.m. "

I don't get it.

[cyncooper]

I sometimes get confused about the mind set..or is it best to ignore ?

I'm confused, too.

I started reading certain replies here and started hearing Twilight Zone music. And they are so vicious with their lies.

I'm going to vote for ignore. There's no reasoning with insanity.