[facedown]

Q: Mr. Secretary, for the average American, the continued U.S. casualties, and the U.N. bombing and what the General says about more foreign terrorists coming into Iraq probably suggests that things are going badly; that they're getting worse instead of better. Is that a wrong perception?

Rumsfeld: Well, I don't know that you or anyone else can speak for the average American. (Laughs, laughter.) I don't think people would say that the Washington press corps is typical of the average American; now really, do you? (Laughter.)

Absolutely classic.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

(^:

I rather liked this summary from SOD Rumsfeld to the quagmire peddlars:

These accomplishments are victories for the Iraqi people and defeats for the Ba'athists and their terrorist allies. This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back. The coalition will not be dissuaded from its mission, not by sabotage, not by snipers and not by terrorists with car bombs.

Do you think he was addressing the press here?

The vast majority of the Iraqi people want peace. They want democracy, and they want the chance to build a free society. They deserve that chance, and a small minority in that country or individuals coming in from other countries are not going to be permitted to take it away from them.

[Coop]

Rumsfeld: Well, I don't know that you or anyone else can speak for the average American. (Laughs, laughter.) I don't think people would say that the Washington press corps is typical of the average American; now really, do you? (Laughter.)

Geez, I just love this guy!!