Rumsfeld gone, too!

Published on November 8th, 2006

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, a key target of Iraq war critics, is stepping down, Republican officials said on Wednesday.

Former CIA Director Robert Gates will replace him, Republican officials said.

Earlier today, a spokesman for Rumsfeld said he’d given no indication that he would step down in the wake of Democratic election gains. The spokesman said Rumsfeld would work with Congress on Iraq but added that the focus on stabilizing the country will remain the same.

Just a short lesson in political history. Bush I backed away from invading and occupying Baghdad because he feared exactly what happened when Bush II did so. His foreign policy advisor was Brent Scowcroft. Neocons hated him and Bush I for that decision. They held sway with Bush the Lesser.

Bob Gates was Scowcroft’s deputy.

Maybe that means everyone in the family is talking, again. Maybe little Bush is listening. I figure the best we can hope for — is the Aggies coming in last in the Big 12!

64 users responded in " Rumsfeld gone, too! "

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# 1 Improbus said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:04 am

Pardon me while I dance a jig. I am giddy with joy.

# 2 Sundog said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:08 am

Me too!!!

# 3 Gary Marks said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:10 am

I think maybe Rumsfeld misunderstood. He’s not supposed to figuratively “fall on his sword,” he’s supposed to literally fall on his freakin’ sword!

Don’t worry, Rummy, I’ve got a BandAid in my pocket

# 4 Wayne Bradney said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:20 am

Let’s hope the door doesn’t hit him in the ass on the way out.

# 5 John said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:31 am

Good riddance. You used a perfect picture of the old fool too.

# 6 GregA said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:38 am

Also Montana has been called for Tester now. So the very best R’s can hope for is a tie in Senate. However all indications that even that meager hope will be crushed in the coming days.

# 7 syngensmyth said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:38 am

Mr. Rumsfeld’s lean, mean, and flexible has always seemed a good idea to me. It has been very effectice as a military. No one seems to know what is effective for nation building amoung raving lunatics however. It may well be true that Charlie Rangel and John Conyers are better equipped to address the raving lunatic contingent.

I will say Mr. Rumsfeld gave wonderful press conferences. The guy is smart, tough, and I believe has the country’s best interest in mind.

We just never learn that democracies can not “win” militarily wars of ideas. Reagan showed them how and they didn’t get it.

# 8 Jim said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:39 am

I just wonder if this is going to be the first domino to fall. He’s resigning, that’s awfully weird, the day after the dems take the house and probably the senate…..

# 9 Improbus said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:42 am

Rummy, resigning will not save you from a subpoena.

# 10 JimR said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:44 am

I like the picture. It looks like he’s about to comment on the situation. What starts with the letter F?

# 11 GregA said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:45 am

syngensmyth,

So that means you disagree with Bush when he characterized the election as a “thumping” a few minutes ago?

# 12 Sundog said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:47 am

9. No, we need get Cheney NOW while the iron is hot.

# 13 JimR said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:49 am

Um… that was good timing… I like the first pic better though.

# 14 RTaylor said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:51 am

Concession to the RNC that just got a mild ass whipping. They’ll try to turn things around in Iraq before the ‘08 general, and blame previous failures on Rummy . They’ll also blame the new Congress for blocking their strategies. This win could backfire for the Democrats if they don’t watch it.

# 15 syngensmyth said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:59 am

#11
I am saying it may have been a GOOD thumping. Controlling parties, more than any mule, need a good whack with a 2 x 4 between the eyes now-and-then just to gain their attention.

# 16 mxpwr03 said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:01 am

Good bye Mr. Rumsfeld. It is unfortunate he did not get a chance to serve for eight years but I’ll take six instead. I’ll agree with #7 that the DoD press briefings will never be the same again. His changes to America’s military will continue to be carried out and for this I am thankful that he served his country in this post for the last six years.

# 17 James Hill said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:01 am

This reaks of the administration (finally) telling him to quit, only at a time good for them… and not anyone else.

# 18 Sundog said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:07 am

Dont worry ’bout Donny Boy, he’ll make much more money working for defense contractors, sabotage “behind the scenes” so to speak.

# 19 Matthew said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:10 am

I’m sorry, but this move seems completely political to me. If he hadn’t done this democrats may have been calling for his head – and more. Bush gets off easy this way.

# 20 Matthew said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:12 am

I’m sorry, but this move seems completely political to me. If he hadn’t done then democrats may have been calling for rummys head – and more. Bush gets off easy this way.

And the ego of this man never ceases to amaze me. On the day of a sweeping democratic victory bush has to give a speech about victory in Iraq.

# 21 Govert said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:18 am

After years of unaccountability, state of denial and dodging his direct responsibility, we can say, referring to his own words directed at Belgium in 2003 after threatening to move the NATO HQ out of Brussels: ‘Rumsfeld has learned his lesson: there are consequences to his actions’.

# 22 Matthew said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:21 am

And the more I think about it, the more I know I’m right. Turn on ANY news station right now and it’s not about the sweeping democratic victory – it’s about this president and HIS policies. Typical.

(and sorry bout the double post – figured if I pressed back at the captcha screen it wouldn’t post and I could edit it.)

# 23 JohnHenriAllyn said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:22 am

Oh sheesh man,

Dems get some power and you freak out and run away.

This guy was in charge of our military operations?

# 24 The other Tom said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:27 am

Why is all the text on this page in italics??
Anybody else?

Oh, and its about time. Bring on the next corrupt goon so we can complain about how horrible he is.

# 25 Tom 2 said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:31 am

Yipeee, horrayyyy, three horrahs for competence.

# 26 Gary Marks said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:44 am

Only time will tell, but maybe Rumsfeld’s act of “cut and run” is the best option among his alternatives.

# 27 Mark said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:45 am

Condi should go, too.

# 28 Eideard said, on November 8th, 2006 at 11:48 am

Sorry, 24 — had to go back in and flush out some extraneous html from the MSNBC site.

# 29 morbo said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:18 pm

Well, Golly gee. Let me set you guys straight on something:
“As you know, you go to retirement with the retirement you have, not the retirement you might want or wish to have at a later time.”

# 30 Dugger said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:19 pm

Curious.

The image has been photoshoped from it’s original form and substituted since the blog’s initial posting.

# 31 bill said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:23 pm

Walk away from Iraq. Let them have their uncivil war.
The best we can wish for is for them to kill each other, and for Iran and Syria to show their true colors.
What was this all about anyway? Surely not just Sadam.
Does anybody out there really know?

# 32 AB CD said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:24 pm

Not sure why people hate Rumsfeld so much. It wasn’t his decision to invade Iraq. He just fought two wars while transforming the military.

# 33 Ballenger said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:32 pm

Scowcroft. has been the voice for Bush 41 in the “W”hitehouse. So maybe with Gates replacing Rumsfeld there will be more flexibility in trying to resolve the situation in Iraq. In any case, he certainly will face a monumental task. The decision to take the job is either very noble or this guy really, really misses being in the game.

# 34 DeLeMa said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:46 pm

Another thought, does anyone have an accurate body count of how many of Dumb’ya’s appointees have bailed on him since he was re-elected ? I also wonder how that record stacks up with previous administrations…Dems or ‘Pub’s ?

# 35 Bono said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:54 pm

Looks like a fishy photo. Why has it been Photoshopped?

# 36 Gary Marks said, on November 8th, 2006 at 12:54 pm

#32, I don’t know if you’re unaware or just purposely ignoring it, but Rumsfeld and some other very influential neocons were urging the active overthrow of Saddam’s regime as early as January 1998. If you look at the roster of Bush advisors when he came to power in 2001, you would know there was a predisposition for a military strike long before there was an excuse to invade. You know better than to try to diminish Rumsfeld’s role to something akin to servant.

# 37 Billabong said, on November 8th, 2006 at 1:24 pm

Does anyone else see the resemblance to Mr.Dvorak? He makes that same face on Cranky Geeks.

# 38 mxpwr03 said, on November 8th, 2006 at 1:28 pm

#27 Explain to us why Condoleeza Rice should offer her resignation.

# 39 Mark said, on November 8th, 2006 at 2:07 pm

38. How about lying to the American People for starters.

# 40 joshua said, on November 8th, 2006 at 2:28 pm

Rumsfield and Bush supposedly decided he would go last week. But held off announcing until today. Maybe true, maybe not. If the Rep’s had held losses to a minimum, he would have stayed.

Gates is not only an old fashioned Conservative from Scowcrofts mold, but is also on the Baker group that will giving it’s Iraq ideas next week. Now THAT is interesting. Can anyone say….** 1 Iraq = 3 little Iraq’s**?

# 41 gquaglia said, on November 8th, 2006 at 3:07 pm

Also Montana has been called for Tester now. So the very best R’s can hope for is a tie in Senate. However all indications that even that meager hope will be crushed in the coming days.

And if the Dems do get control, then what. They acutaly have to do something now. Can’t blame, can’t complain, they have to perform. Lets see if they are up to the job of governing, instead of placing blame.

# 42 mxpwr03 said, on November 8th, 2006 at 3:11 pm

Mark, Condi was quite uneasy about the Iraq war when it was being discussed after 9/11, and during her time with the NSC she played a minor role in the decision making process. As Secretary of State she has accomplished several objectives such as being a mediator in the Palestinian peace process, rebuilding diplomatic relations with Europe, and fostering greater international support for the infant democracy in Iraq. She has been an invaluable asset towards providing a much more realistic ideology amoung a large group of neo-conservatives, and for this you should be thankful. Finally, Secretary Rice is an amazing individual who has accomplished goals in her life, far to many to list here, that few would have imagined possible when she was a child.

# 43 moss said, on November 8th, 2006 at 3:30 pm

Dude, she ain’t bad on the cello. Aside from that, she’s accomplished squat in the Middle East and Europe. Which everyone in the Middle East and Europe is well aware of.

Ah, True Believers.

# 44 Jägermeister said, on November 8th, 2006 at 3:33 pm

#38

Because she’s one of the Three Evil Musketeers™… Now that Rummy is gone, it’s only Bush and Rice left…

# 45 Mark said, on November 8th, 2006 at 3:44 pm

At this point all I see is an enabler of a President who has done nothing but lie to the people, make a mockery of the Constitution they BOTH SWORE to protect and defend, (that is an oath by the way), spit on the Bill of Rights and foster fear in anyone who opposes his lordship. For that, I will never forgive. They have broken their oath, Cheney, Rummy, W, Condi, all complicit, the Gang of Four.

# 46 doug said, on November 8th, 2006 at 4:15 pm

this is definitely good news. Gates is more in the Elder Bush mode, so we may see some of that dreaded “realism” creeping into defense policy.

# 47 mxpwr03 said, on November 8th, 2006 at 4:45 pm

-Actually Moss she plays the piano, way to know the facts. Secondly, she has brought the major EU powers together to find a common goal in both the Iran nuclear issue and the Palestinian state (or lack thereof) issue. After the Iraq war, critics were saying that Europe/U.S. relations were destroyed, but yet this individual has brought all the major countries together with hopes of finding an optimum solution. Was Madeline Albright more effective, and if so why?
-Jager, would you care to elaborate more on that point?
-Mark, the people of this country are the enablers of President Bush’s policy as they voted him into office. More specifically, point out a few, concrete, examples of how Ms. Rice has broken the bill of rights or the constitution.

# 48 moss said, on November 8th, 2006 at 4:55 pm

Got me, dude. The only pieces I ever heard were piano and cello — didn’t realize it was Yo-Yo Ma on cello.

No wonder it was so good.

But, really, calling together a meeting that accomplished nothing may be up to Bush’s standards; but, few Sec o’ State in the past — of either flavor — would consider these to be real accomplishments. She’s a messenger-girl. She’s the FedEx delivery guy for neocon bullies.

You may now return to that soft Philistine whine, endorsing any assault on the Bill of Rights by worrying at who actually carries the recording device?

# 49 Mark said, on November 8th, 2006 at 5:30 pm

mxpwr03 : I will get back to you on that, suffice it to say that if you have taken an oath to protect and defend the constitution, and do nothing while you superior systematically takes it apart, then you have broken your oath.

# 50 doug said, on November 8th, 2006 at 6:27 pm

of course, now the only remaining question is – when is Rummy going to get the Medal of Freedom for his heck of a job in Iraq?

# 51 AB CD said, on November 8th, 2006 at 7:09 pm

Yes Rumsfeld was pushing for war in Iraq years ago, but that had nothing to do with his job as Sec Def. which he handled very well. Last I checked, there were lots of people who pushed for war like the President, and Congress authorized it. I have more respect for guys like Jim Webb going after a Senator who voted for war, then people who go after a guy who has done a great job. By the way, the neocons were calling for Rumsfeld’s resignation in July 2001.

# 52 Ballenger said, on November 8th, 2006 at 7:34 pm

Why should Condoleeza Rice resign? How about because there are 1160 people, whose last names start with the letters “LeFluerber” at the State Department, more qualified for the job. If that’s not a good enough reason, she’s fourth in line for Presidential Succession. Is that bad because of her sex or race? No, it’s because anyone called upon to replace the President shouldn’t be a political flunky who’s chief qualification is, uh, er, uh, well being a political flunky.

# 53 Mr. H. Fusion said, on November 8th, 2006 at 8:51 pm

#42, How about Rice resign because she stated in defense of the Iraq policy that while the strategy was right, we made too many tactical errors. In other words, the Administration planned correctly, but the troops and marines couldn’t do their jobs right.

The Mid-East? Not only does the Administration NOT have a policy, she waited until hundreds of civilians had been killed by Israel before deciding the war was a bad thing. The credit for stopping the war belongs more with Kofi Annan and the EU then does anything any American did.

European friendship? Where? Bush overspent any friendship he may have had and Rice hasn’t done anything to regain it.

If she is so good at her job, then we would expect some policy and allies. Because there is neither, she can’t be very good. Or maybe she is just good at not doing what she should be doing.

# 54 Mr. H. Fusion said, on November 8th, 2006 at 8:53 pm

Goodbye Mr Rumsfeld. Judging from your picture, it looks like you got your little weenie in your fly. Don’t you just hate it when that happens.

# 55 RBG said, on November 8th, 2006 at 10:37 pm

Or worse, like when liberals mess with the truth as in that photo.

RBG

# 56 Greg Allen said, on November 9th, 2006 at 1:59 am

I am such a kneejerk liberal that I actually felt sorry for Rumsfeld when I heard the news.

This guy should be in his slippers, yelling at the neighborhood kids to keep off his lawn. It was insane to let him run two wars.

# 57 Moral Volcano said, on November 9th, 2006 at 6:22 am

Now Rumsfeld can go to “the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat” and find those weapons of mass destruction. Or, he could go and erase those tapes of him shaking hands with Saddam (circa 19830

# 58 RBG said, on November 9th, 2006 at 10:03 am

57. You’ll find those tapes next to the ones that show Joe Kennedy and a number of major U.S., and western diplomats, and business mogols shaking hands with Hitler.

Bush has already sent OJ to look for the WMD.

RBG

# 59 Gary Marks said, on November 9th, 2006 at 11:46 am

Correct, #58 RBG — there is plenty of inconvenient truth to go around on this issue. The Reagan administration’s rationale was that “the enemy of our enemy is our friend,” whereas the embrace of fascist ideas by certain American business moguls in the 1930’s was seen as a means to control labor and keep wealth in the correct hands.

Sometimes history almost seems like a broken record, playing the same old themes again and again.

# 60 RBG said, on November 9th, 2006 at 12:08 pm

59. While you may be absolutely right in your analysis, my point was far more prosaic in that I was attempting to merely point out that none of us necessarily really know who we are shaking hands with or what will become of that person later; not to mention that sometimes, for circumstantial, social, polite business or diplomatic reasons, we must shake hands. Does anybody know who are or what is behind all the people we give our money to when we buy products?

RBG

# 61 Richard said, on November 9th, 2006 at 1:15 pm

We need to pull our troops out of Iraq now! How many more American soldiers have to die?

# 62 OhForTheLoveOf said, on November 9th, 2006 at 1:40 pm

#21 – After years of unaccountability, state of denial and dodging his direct responsibility, we can say, referring to his own words directed at Belgium in 2003 after threatening to move the NATO HQ out of Brussels: ‘Rumsfeld has learned his lesson: there are consequences to his actions’.

Comment by Govert — 11/8/2006 @ 11:18 am

What consequences? He’ll be rewarded with a cushy gig at halliburton or some such thing. The consequence is that he’ll have to get a bigger house and a nicer car than the already big house and nice car that he has now.

A real consequence would be answering to a war crimes tribunal at the Hague… But we know the war criminals running the White House are immune to justice.

# 63 Moral Volcano said, on November 11th, 2006 at 6:29 pm

59. Sometimes history almost seems like a broken record, playing the same old themes again and again.

As Mark Twain said, history does not repeat itself but it rhymes a lot.

Even Bush’s grandfather Prescott Bush was accused of trading with the enemy (Nazis) and had his business seized.

# 64 Gary Marks said, on November 12th, 2006 at 6:39 pm

#63 Moral Volcano, it’s both interesting and confusing to read how some of these American businessmen benefited from, and helped support, the Nazi war machine. It’s a maze of stock ownership, holding companies, banking relationships, and board directorships almost complex enough to evade pinning them down to any direct responsibility for the crimes and ultimate near-success of the regime.

“The business of America is business.”
–Calvin Coolidge

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