Rumsfeld 'Roller Coaster' Ride Takes Downward Turn

[Spazito]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was asked recently to explain why he is taking such heat after enjoying "rock-star popularity" not too long ago among his admirers following U.S. military campaigns in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites).

snip

In the roller coaster ride of Washington politics, Rumsfeld appears to be on a downward trajectory, according to U.S. officials and analysts.


They cite as evidence President Bush (news - web sites)'s formation of an interagency Iraq Stabilization Group headed by Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites), the White House national security adviser, to coordinate policy in Iraq, until now largely an in-house operation for Rumsfeld's Pentagon (news - web sites).

You have to view this as just taking Rumsfeld down a notch," Brookings Institution defense analyst Michael O'Hanlon said. "It certainly reflects a little bit less confidence in Rumsfeld. I think it would be pretty hard to portray it any other way. ... Rumsfeld's star has dimmed just a little."

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=4&u=/nm/iraq_usa_rumsfeld_dc

[leesa]

1. Ah yes, never blame the Chimp in Charge

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. My guess of Rummy's private reaction:

Rummy is Frosted! :grr:

[elfin]

3. Cheney has won again--

Not so long ago DU was filled with predictions of Cheney's ouster based upon his didsatrous interview that was followed by Bush tryinhg to "unlink" saddam and 9/11.

Cheney felt the heat - managed to deflect it onto Rummy. Dickhead is safe for now......

[havocmom]

4. Chicken Dick safe?

Bet you a dollar that will not be so as long as a US spook still draws breath.