The day after voters handed Republicans a stinging rebuke in no small part for the messy, protracted aftermath of a successful deposal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, President Bush replaced Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld with former CIA chief Robert Gates. President Bush acknowledged that the Iraqi situation had contributed to Republican losses. However, he indicated that he had planned before Election Day to replace Rumsfeld with Gates if both concurred. The alacrity with which he did so underscored the veracity of Bush's assertion: nevertheless, conjecture has been made that Rumsfeld's replacement may have been merely the activation of a contingency plan if the Dems won. Regardless, the action post election sends an olive branch to Pelosi and the other new power players on Capitol Hill.
Cf. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/index.html.
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9 comments:
1000 times better on the colors brother. Your reader response should double easily! Since I am living up to my given name (ie, "frank"), consider some more constructive comments.
God did not bless me with a brother of a genious IQ for nothing...not to mention 4.0 GPA, Suma Cum Laude, College President....may I say more. I WANT SOME COMMENTARY!! Give me that unique perspective that you only have:
What do you think of Rumsfeld? What about Gates? Is Bush going the wrong way? Is Pelosi a lesbian? Does she smoke pot and tbink lewd thoughts about Hillary Clinton? Maybe she is a transexual...ok...I'm getting carried away. The point is, I want some JAKEHO commentary!!!
Keep up the good work.
Pablo
Paul, now I'm thinking that YOU need a blog. You crack me up...
Ditto on the need for commentary from number 2. Well, J?
Paul, I'm glad that the colors are better for you. I appreciate your feedback, constructive criticism, and your overly kind compliments. As to my blogging, I enjoy hearing what the reader thinks and feels in response to an item that I thought might be of interest to him/her. Of course, you probably get a hint to my perspective when you read the wording, phraseology, and tenor of the entry. In short, I prefer to posit an item and let the polemics or discussion begin and then proffer my perspective in response.
Shoulda been gone long ago, but we have blogged about this back and forth before...
Joseph, I agree that Paul needs a blog: he'd be great with his refreshing "frank"ness, colorful humor, and sharp wit. As to my commentary, I am tending to add a bit more, for good or for bad.
Politically, his departure before the mid-term elections would probably have kept, at least, the Senate in Republican hands. Militarily, I don't feel capable of giving a definitive analysis but I believe that he was a true public servant who served admirably. I think that he was successful in Afghanistan and the overthrow of Hussein but I'm less sure about his ideas and implementation thereof as to the aftermath of the Iraqi war and to the post-Cold War transition of the military.
The US Military is designed to win wars, not keep or maintain peace.
I think maybe Rumsfeld (and Bush?) lost sight of that. I agree he served honorably and did what he thought he should be doing. But his methods ("my way or the highway"), his outward demeanor and some of the hierarchical changes he made in the Pentagon made me very suspect.
A6, what do think of Gates as a replacement? Where would have been on your list of Rummy replacements?
Jakeho,
Don't know him nor his rep. I'll have to do some research and get back to you. I'll also talk to my "sources" still on active duty.
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