Donald Rumsfeld stepping down...

[Lackey]

THANK THE LORD ALMIGHTY!!

First Whitney leaving Bobby, then Britney leaving K-Fed now Bush leaving Rumsfield.

Who's next?

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe split

 

[kane9321]

thank god

 

[Lackey]

He did admit he was wrong and sacrifice himself.

but I'm still so mad at him

 

[Daisy]

YEA!

Rumsfeld quitting as defense secretary
POSTED: 1:39 p.m. EST, November 8, 2006

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush announced Wednesday that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down from his post.

"The timing is right for new leadership at the Pentagon," Bush said at the White House Wednesday afternoon.

Rumsfeld has been heavily criticized for his policies in Iraq, and exit polls taken during Tuesday's midterm election showed strong voter dissatisfaction -- 57 percent -- with the Iraq war.

"I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made" in Iraq, Bush said. (Bush discusses Rumsfeld's resignation -- 1:27)

Bush said he has "a series of thoughtful conversations" with Rumsfeld about the defense secretary's resignation.

Former CIA chief Robert Gates,who headed that agency from 1991 until 1993, will be nominated to take over as defense secretary, Bush said Wednesday.

Gates is now president of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Rumsfeld, 74, has served as defense secretary since January 20, 2001, the beginning of Bush's first term.

He also served as defense secretary under President Ford from 1975 to 1977.

"Don Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of change," Bush said Wednesday. "Yet he also appreciates the value of bringing in a fresh perspective during a critical period in this war."

With the change, Bush pledged to stand by the people of Iraq.

"Do not be fearful," Bush said in reference to Iraqis. "As you take the difficult steps toward democracy and peace, America's going to stand with you. We know you want a better way of life, and now is the time to seize it."

Bush also expressed support for U.S. military personnel.

"Don't be doubtful. America will always support you," the president said. "Our nation is blessed to have men and women who volunteer to serve and are willing to risk their own lives for the safety of our fellow citizens."

Rumsfeld has been under increasing pressure as U.S. casualties mount in Iraq.

October was the fourth-deadliest month for U.S. troops since the 2003 invasion, with 105 Americans killed.

Earlier this year, eight retired generals, including former NATO commander Wesley Clark and the former head of U.S. Central Command Anthony Zinni, called on Rumsfeld to resign.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/rumsfeld/index.html

 

[Shifty]

but I'm still so mad at him

What about Dell Rusk?

 

[raybia]

I'm happy to see him go but Rumfield was just a yes man who was just the front person on the strategy on Iraq and Bush will just replace him with another yes man. The people who make the real decisions are still in power.




"Don Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of change," Bush said Wednesday. "Yet he also appreciates the value of bringing in a fresh perspective during a critical period in this war."

 

[ShadowBoxing]

wow!

 

[sinewave]

What about Dell Rusk?

I support him.

 

[raybia]

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe split

Thats right! I forgot.

Oh man, please don't let Mike & Mike in the morning (ESPN) be next.

 

[Fanticon]

Hey, Rumsfeld....Tank says

PASS!!!

 

[Motown Marvel]

did he really tell iraqi's not to be fearful? seriously? come on! "hey, you know that whole war thing going on outside your front door? yeah, its the one thats probably killed lots of your friends and family and may very well kill you. uh....dont worry about that, nothing to be afraid of there. its cool. we got it. go america."

 

[04nbod]

yep and he told his enemies no to celebratet:

 

[raybia]

did he really tell iraqi's not to be fearful? seriously? come on! "hey, you know that whole war thing going on outside your front door? yeah, its the one thats probably killed lots of your friends and family and may very well kill you. uh....dont worry about that, nothing to be afraid of there. its cool. we got it. go america."

Yeah,

"Don't worry Iraqis, as you take the difficult steps toward democracy and peace, America's going to stand with you. Soon you'll too have:

No universal healthcare

Partisianship instead of sectarianism

Easy access to drugs, alcohol, and porn. (And legal too, well except the drugs, but there are ways around that so don't worry.)


Freedom of Religion and speech (but of course no talking about politics while in service)

Freedom to dress like as scantly as you want (Hey it gets hot in Iraq)

And to get your mind off any personal problems you may experience we bring you the world of entertainment! Hours of personalized programming like Sports, American Idol (or Iraqi Idol in your case) and equipment like TVs, computers, and video games that will pacifiy any urge of dissidence.

Oh, and your have Fast Food! No trans fats of course, us Americans are trying to become more health.

 

[Quietstorm]

I had a non reaction when I heard about this. It was kind of like "Oh".

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I'm happy to see him go but Rumfield was just a yes man who was just the front person on the strategy on Iraq.

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. If anything it's the other way around.
You need to watch or read some documentaries on Rumsfeld.

 

[Erundur]

Yes, Rumsfeld was not a yes man ^^^

 

[Hotwire]

Whoo-Hoo!! Time to do a happy dance!!! It's about time that guy left! It's just a shame he wasn't fired. That would have been better. Anyone here think that he'll start to throw Bush and Cheney under the bus now? I'm sure he's got plenty of dirt on both of them.

 

[Hotwire]

I'm happy to see him go but Rumfield was just a yes man who was just the front person on the strategy on Iraq and Bush will just replace him with another yes man. The people who make the real decisions are still in power.

True, Cheney is still there. To me, Bush is a puppet. Cheney is definitely the brains of that group.

 

[Hotwire]

Anyone else think it's a bit of a coinsidence that Donny steps down the day after the democrats take over the House? You think he could just be doing this in order to avoid being investigated by congress?

 

[jaguarr]

All I have to say to Rummy is this: Door. Knob. Ass. Bye.

jag

 

[Matt]

I figure Cheney will be going soon too. They are going to want to prepare their 2008 election to avoid another disaster so they may put someone in the VP spot (Santorum or Allen perhaps) and then they can play the "we tried to cross party lines but the democrat congress blocked us" card.

 

[sinewave]

I figure Cheney will be going soon too. They are going to want to prepare their 2008 election to avoid another disaster so they may put someone in the VP spot (Santorum or Allen perhaps) and then they can play the "we tried to cross party lines but the democrat congress blocked us" card.

You honestly think they'll try and tap Santorum or Allen to replace Cheney? Santorum is not very well liked by the majority of Americans and Allen is just a Bush clone. I'd think someone like Giulliani would be a better choice for the Republicans in the long run.

 

[Matt]

You honestly think they'll try and tap Santorum or Allen to replace Cheney? Santorum is not very well liked by the majority of Americans and Allen is just a Bush clone. I'd think someone like Giulliani would be a better choice for the Republicans in the long run.

Giulliani is too far off from party leadership, and while Santorum is hated in PA, the southern and middle states would love him.

 

[sinewave]

Giulliani is too far off from party leadership, and while Santorum is hated in PA, the southern and middle states would love him.

oh, you're thinking they'll try and respond to the change in power by finding another divisive, controversial character to replace cheney with, as a sort of f-u to the democrats, right?

 

[jaguarr]

Cheney's going nowhere. Even if they kill him.

jag