Rumsfield Is Stepping Down

Hurricane · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbforrest45

Unless the war is ended next week one way or the other the Hippycrats will continue to attack him no matter what ever he does

I will probably continue to Bash bush even if the war ends.

cat's meow · #12 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCF24

This Reported By A.p. That Rumsfield Is Stepping Down,see The Dems Are Already Making Progress

Link...I gotta see this!!!

cat's meow · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levelheaded

Last night on ABC coverage of election night John McCain was blasting Rumsfeld and Bush on Iraq.

Hmm...when McCain does this stuff it seems a bit odd, I had written his office and I got this letter back about how he supported Bush and the war...that was within the last year...you have to question that...

GoRightAndYouCan'tGoWrong · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob

is the president of Texas A&M University and a close friend of the Bush family. He served as CIA director for Bush’s father from 1991 until 1993.

Texas A & M via Getty Images fil

Former CIA Director Robert M. Gates

Gates first joined the CIA in 1966 and served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century, under six presidents.
His nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.
Whatever confidence Bush retained in Rumsfeld, the Cabinet officer’s support in Congress had eroded significantly. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House speaker-in-waiting, said at her first post-election news conference that Bush should replace the top civilian leadership at the Pentagon.
And Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who had intervened in the past to shore up Rumsfeld, issued a statement saying, “Washington must now work together in a bipartisan way — Republicans and Democrats — to outline the path to success in Iraq.”

Here is what I could find out about him, sure wish he had some military experience.

Rob, thanks for the info. I agree with the military issue, would be benificial, but I accept it as it makes me happy to do so

For now...

cat's meow · #15 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 03:05 PM

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST I HAVE BEEN ABOUT THIS SITUATION IN A WHILE...hopefully more positive changes like this are coming...

Quote:

Bush announces Rumsfeld stepping down
President taps ex-CIA chief Gates to replace embattled defense secretary
Image: Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld

Updated: 14 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stepped down as defense secretary on Wednesday, one day after midterm elections in which opposition to the war in Iraq contributed to heavy Republican losses.

President Bush said he would nominate Robert Gates, a former CIA director, to replace Rumsfeld at the Pentagon. The three were expected to appear in the Oval Office at 3:30 p.m. ET, according to NBC News.
Story continues below ↓ advertisement

Asked whether his announcement signaled a new direction in the war that has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 U.S. troops, Bush said, “Well, there’s certainly going to be new leadership at the Pentagon.”

Bush lavished praise on Rumsfeld, who has spent six stormy years at his post. The president disclosed he met with Gates last Sunday, two days before the elections in which Democrats swept control of the House and possibly the Senate.

Military officials and politicians dissatisfied with the course of the war had called for Rumsfeld’s resignation in the months leading up to the election. Last week, as Bush campaigned to save the Republican majority, he declared that Rumsfeld would remain at the Pentagon through the end of his term.

Source: Cheney stuck by Rumsfeld
But sources told NBC News’ military analyst Bill Arkin that prior to the election, Vice President Dick Cheney argued with other politicians over whether Rumsfeld should stay. White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and others said Rumsfeld should be removed, the source said. Both sides agreed the decision would be made after the election, when Bush would make the final call based on how Republicans did.

According to the source, Bush agreed Rumsfeld should be removed after seeing election results favoring Democrats. Cheney then lost another argument, protesting Gates’ nomination as Rumsfeld’s replacement.

Rumsfeld, 74, was in his second tour of duty as defense chief. He first held the job a generation ago, when he was appointed by President Ford.

Whatever confidence Bush retained in Rumsfeld, the Cabinet officer’s support in Congress had eroded significantly. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House speaker-in-waiting, said at her first postelection news conference that Bush should replace the top civilian leadership at the Pentagon.

And Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who had intervened in the past to shore up support for Rumsfeld, issued a statement saying, “Washington must now work together in a bipartisan way — Republicans and Democrats — to outline the path to success in Iraq.”

The Pentagon offered no date for Rumsfeld’s departure.

The school is home to the presidential library of Bush’s father. Gates is a close friend of the Bush family, and particularly the first President Bush.

He served as deputy national security adviser from 1989 to 1991 and then as CIA director during the first Iraq war, from 1991 until 1993.

Gates joined the CIA in 1966 and is the only agency employee to rise from an entry level job to the 7th floor director’s office. He served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century, under six presidents.

Bush has considered Gates for jobs before, including in 2005 when he was searching for a candidate to be the nation’s first national intelligence director.

His nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., who is expected to chair the House Armed Services Committee next year, said Rumsfeld’s resignation “presents an important opportunity for our country to begin a new policy direction in Iraq and in the war on terrorism.”

He encouraged the Bush administration to take advantage of the fresh start.
NBC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

GoRightAndYouCan'tGoWrong · #16 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 03:46 PM

Glad to see you smile Cat

Areyouforreal · #17 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurricane

I will probably continue to Bash bush even if the war ends.

That is because you can't make intelligent arguements on your on

Areyouforreal · #18 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 08:06 PM

I for one am glad the Crummy Rummy stepped down. I disliked the man ever since he agreed with Clinton an how to deal with NK and and cutting the military. He would never have gotten my vote if he was in an elected position.
All I have to say is watch out Chenney

cat's meow · #19 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Areyouforreal

I for one am glad the Crummy Rummy stepped down. I disliked the man ever since he agreed with Clinton an how to deal with NK and and cutting the military. He would never have gotten my vote if he was in an elected position.
All I have to say is watch out Chenney

...yes, you are making good sense and have been very consistent about how lousy this guy has been. thanks! With all the good SODs we have had and this guy has been allowed to go on and on...

Glad to see him gone...

Areyouforreal · #20 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 08:48 PM

I would like to believe that if Bush had had a better SOD (instead of the SOB he did have) and a better VP things would have turned out a lo differently. Rummy giving the President advice on military issues is like using Kerry to boost troop morale.