Bush just said Rumsfeld was here to stay last week. That was dumb.
I was thinking the same thing!
It makes Bush look like he can be cowed.
Why now???
That statement probably cost a few of those House seats.
He obviously made that statement in order to squelch the rumor that Rumsfeld was out. They apparently did not want to give the impression of weakness before the election.
They obviously did not consult with Rove on this. Or maybe Rove has been demoted from the coveted position of "Magnificient Bastard" to just plain "Bastard."