Pressure builds on Rumsfeld

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's prickly self-confidence and faith in the moral imperative of American leadership have earned him detractors around the globe - while also making him one of President Bush's closest advisers on national security.

This may also explain why the scrappiest cabinet member has survived one flap after another: He embodies many core Bush administration values. "Rumsfeld has been pivotal to this administration," says Loren Thompson, a defense expert here. "The president agrees with most of what Rumsfeld believes about the world, and he's much more dependent on Rumsfeld for advice" than on other cabinet members.

Yet with the latest armor uproar, the Pentagon chief, who seems to flit to controversy like a moth to a porch light, has managed to alienate not only some senior Republicans but, increasingly, military members who blame him for faulty decisions on the Iraq war that are now costing US lives. In the long run, it is a lack of faith within the military establishment - from ordinary troops to US commanders - that could prove the most serious threat to Rumsfeld's tenure. Indeed, if conditions in Iraq continue to worsen, and key military constituencies lose confidence in Rumsfeld, he could become practically ineffective.

I took a survey this weekend of the people I know in the military who have served under Donald Rumsfeld. Active duty and retired, regular Army to NG, all ranks from an E2 through SSG to a Full Bird.
Some having served in Iraq, some having served in Afghanistan, some about to go.

Every man and woman in my sphere, supported Secretary Rumsfeld.
The following are a sample of the sentiments I received from those who actually served in Iraq-
unlike Hagel, McCain, Kristol, Lugar, Collins, Warner, Dowd, etc.

"Re Rumsfeld, I didn't think much of the resignation calls until I read Bill Kristol's column today. I'm now wondering if there is going to be a groundswell.
I personally like him."

" Those calling for Rumsfeld to step down are weak."

If a Senator has a problem with the way the SecDef is conducting business, take it privately, but, never ,never go public during a time of war.
It only emboldens the enemy and demoralizes troop morale.
Unless of course, that was the intended purpose of the criticism.
And unfortunately, with too many of these Senators, on both sides of the aisle, it's hard to tell what is their motivation.

On Capital Gang Saturday night, Al Hunt, Margaret Carlson and Mark Shields agreed that Rumsfeld should go because of the way he treats reporters.

Kate O'Beirne was on fire :

O'BEIRNE: "These aren't party regulars that are criticizing George Bush. The combination of John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Trent Lott and Susan Collins are
unlikely to get the administration to change its mind about the important job and good job they think Rumsfeld's doing.
The only question they raise is where's Lincoln Chafee? And these are all supporters of the war.
I didn't hear a single one of them say, Wait to invade Iraq until you're ready to fight a sustained urban insurgency.
None of them said that.
And I don't know if any one of them has up-armoring vehicles been their top priority for the past year?
I don't think so."

O'BEIRNE:" Excuse me! As the only person who's defending the secretary,
might I point out to the critics, to the armchair generals, you have to make one of two arguments.
You have to argue either General Casey, General Abizaid and before him, General Franks,
are either incompetent or cowardly because they haven't asked for more troops.
They've all been asked.
In fact, they're tired of being asked, they tell people -- constantly being asked,
Do you have everything you want and need, including number of troops, and they constantly say yes."

This bunch in DC would have hated George Patton.

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