Yes, I just heard this on Cnn. Why? After all this time is he stepping down now.
Weird. Just because Dems are in and Rep. are out is this the reason?

I wonder if he is really that worried about the Democrats having power in the House and the possiblity they might come after him and others in the administration? If hes spooked enough to jump ship like this I wonder if they are in fact planning to come after Bush with that baseball bat marked "Impeacher" on it?

THANK GOD.

I'm not against the war but i've felt for a couple years now that this man is incompetent. I don't think America should be in the buisness of holding land when we could have easily manipulated things like we did in afghanistan. We should never of disbanded the Iraqi armed forces.

I hope to god the dems have the balls to impeach Mr. Bush.

Oh...baby I smell fish and it's not rolled with rice. Betcha....The Whitehouse has cut a deal with the Democrats to can Rummy in return that NO Iraq investigations or Halliburton investigations are moved forward? Wow politics 101 are being preformed right under our nose.

What a candyass P.O.S. Rumsfield is. I can't recall a more arrogant, pedantic politician. He acts like the big-cheese who can do no wrong right up until the Democrats gain control. Now he knows he's going to be held accountable and he's going to make a run for it. What a slime. I'm sure he won't be the last rat to get off that ship. But I have to give him props for his speed of departure. He must have been in the blocks before the polls closed. At least we can all rest comfortably knowing the he has a 6 or 7 figure job waiting for him at Haliburton. How I love government.

Does happy Dance!!
Agreed,Thank God!

I doubt any "deal" went on. Rumsfeld tried to resign several times, and Bush wouldn't accept it. Now with the country swinging a bit to the left, Bush probably finally let him leave.

Originally posted by Esoterica
I doubt any "deal" went on. Rumsfeld tried to resign several times, and Bush wouldn't accept it. Now with the country swinging a bit to the left, Bush probably finally let him leave.

President Bush nominated Robert Gates to replace him.

Originally posted by Esoterica
I doubt any "deal" went on. Rumsfeld tried to resign several times, and Bush wouldn't accept it. Now with the country swinging a bit to the left, Bush probably finally let him leave.

I know he wanted out but if you think about it he might have wanted out before the elections cause he had wind that the change was going to happen. And Bush didn't want the rat loose in the gain field. Cause if Rummy gets out before the elections then somehting could have been disspelled that would have sealed any chance for the close elections to fall to the GOP. I mean Bush keeping Rummy "Under wraps" at lest gave the GOP a fighting chance in the elections. Now that the Dems have the edge you know there is going to be a call for investigations on the war some of the dems are just itching to BBQ bush over this whole Iraq and Halibuton issues. By giving the Dems Donalds head on a silver plater the Whitehouse could have bought some time on the investigations. I mean Rummy has had a target on his political rearend for years in Washington.

Anyone got any other thoughts?

Im actually glad Bush took such a hardline stance with Rumsfeld.

It let us all know how immovable he was in his policy and how deep he had his fingers stuck in his ears.

I believe the House would've gone to Dems anyway, but not the Senate(speculating, but I think VA is going to Dems).


So thank you President Bush for being such a hardhead, you gave us exactly what we wanted.

Edit:
And concerning relieving him right before the election, I believe it might have hurt the GOP like stated, but it also may have given moderates the idea that maybe the Repubs were willing to compromise, therefore keep em in power and let em reach out to the Dems. maybe. But like I said earlier, Getting rid of him months ago would probably have helped the GOP.


[edit on 8-11-2006 by Philadelphite]

You beat me to it DJ but the AP has added:

{"President Bush said Wednesday Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is stepping down and former CIA Director Robert Gates will take over at the Pentagon and in prosecuting the war in Iraq."}

Yes my husband just call me and told me the news he resign yesterday.

Well I guess the heat is on, and now that the GOP got a clear message from their followers and none followers that something has to be done when it comes with Iraq.

I guess we may see more resignations around.

After all just because the GOP lost the house and the senate looks very close to call, it doesn't mean they can not start working for a better plan and look for 2008.

NOW, I'm celebrating! Woo-Hoo!

The first thought that came to me when I heard this is that since he can't do everything in Iraq just exactly the way he wants to now, he's going to quit. Yeah, I know he 'offered' to resign a few times before and I thought then it was only for show.

And I also believe that this is for show. Nothing will change, it's just to make the Dems feel a little better about their 'victory'. Like they can make a difference.

But still...

Originally posted by JackJuice
THANK GOD.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that with the Dems in power now, he sensed he should get out while the getting was good.

Like rats off a sinking ship. C'mon baby daddy needs democratic party control in senate, big bucks no wammys. I hope they investigate all of bushes cronies and go on a witch hunt comparable to the witch hunt performed when democrats get a B.J. readem and weep suckas