Rumsfeld quitting as defense secretary

[OCBob]

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 in a White House statement 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 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."

 

[DDB]

Just saw this also. Interesting turn of events huh.

 

[mauiSRT/10]

Good, I didnt care for him...........I found him very arogant.


patrick

 

[OCBob]

Good, I didnt care for him...........I found him very arogant.


patrick

I agree, he was nothing but a career politician. I really don't know much about Gates. I would like to see a career military officer in this position myself, but they didn't ask for my opinion. They might have saved some seats in the house and the senate if they would have made this move a week ago.

 

[RedRamRules]

Good riddance

 

[mauiSRT/10]

I agree, he was nothing but a career politician. I really don't know much about Gates. I would like to see a career military officer in this position myself, but they didn't ask for my opinion. They might have saved some seats in the house and the senate if they would have made this move a week ago.

Absolutly!


patrick

 

[ViperJeff]

Good, I didnt care for him...........I found him very arogant.


patrick

Yes sir eeeeeee, bob

Lets give the job to Kennedy, he'll have all DOD issues handled by the time he reaches the bottom of his fifth of whiskey.

I didn't care for him either, but I liked his no nonsense attitude.

Jeff

 

[OCBob]

Yes sir eeeeeee, bob

Lets give the job to Kennedy, he'll have all DOD issues handled by the time he reaches the bottom of his fifth of whiskey.

I didn't care for him either, but I liked his no nonsense attitude.

Jeff

This is the kind of guy I would like to see get the job.

Lt. Col. Alex Lee retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1978 after a twenty-seven-year career. As an infantryman he held commands ranging from rifle and machine-gun platoons and rifle-company-level assignments to a tour of duty as commanding officer of 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. In combat operations in Vietnam, he commanded two rifle companies and a force reconnaissance company. His staff duties included two tours at the Marine Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., during which he implemented new techniques to improve the equipment-acquisitions process and created a doctrine-based combat-readiness evaluation system.

 

[ViperJeff]

This is the kind of guy I would like to see get the job.

Lt. Col. Alex Lee retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1978 after a twenty-seven-year career. As an infantryman he held commands ranging from rifle and machine-gun platoons and rifle-company-level assignments to a tour of duty as commanding officer of 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. In combat operations in Vietnam, he commanded two rifle companies and a force reconnaissance company. His staff duties included two tours at the Marine Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., during which he implemented new techniques to improve the equipment-acquisitions process and created a doctrine-based combat-readiness evaluation system.

WOW

You got to love those career grunts. 27 years and only a Light Bird. To me, that means Duty, Honor, Commitment to his Men and his Country were more important than rank. Guess he started out enlisted too. Cool

Hopefully he's still out there helping

Jeff

 

[Django]

Rummie should be replaced by Michael Savage.............

He'd have Al Qaeda's surrender by the weekend............

SD

 

[OCBob]

WOW

You got to love those career grunts. 27 years and only a Light Bird. To me, that means Duty, Honor, Commitment to his Men and his Country were more important than rank. Guess he started out enlisted too. Cool

Hopefully he's still out there helping

Jeff

Exactly, you know that he wasn't sucking up to the politicos. That's the kind of guy we need to be running the pentagon IMHO.

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

I'll just add that as a veteran some of us have a different attitude and as we all know friendship and politics don't mix.
But I think you guys are great and I love the humour,fun and friendship on the site.:burnout:

 

[Deibs]

Phew, i thought this was a joke at first... Then again, they'll just stick someone else in his position to do the same job.

 

[Bone]

Personally, I am glad to see him go for various reasons (some as you already stated). Slashed too many good programs and weapon systems to only haunt us now. Not to mention, took away the B-1s from the Guard instead of active duty for political reasons. One base in Texas (Pres Bush's state) and one in South Dakota remains (Sen Dahscel's); it's amazing how it works.

 

[OCBob]

Personally, I am glad to see him go for various reasons (some as you already stated). Slashed too many good programs and weapon systems to only haunt us now. Not to mention, took away the B-1s from the Guard instead of active duty for political reasons. One base in Texas (Pres Bush's state) and one in South Dakota remains (Sen Dahscel's); it's amazing how it works.

I think most folks in the Armed Forces will be glad to see him go. I really don't think he was a champion of the man on the ground fighting the battles. I hope that the new SecDef spends more of his time looking out for the real heroes.