Republicans Fret Over Rumsfeld's Drag on His Party

[kainah]

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in a leaked memorandum, forecast that America faced a "hard slog" in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites), but the same can be said about Rumsfeld's own political fortunes.

snip...

A well-placed Republican source said Rumsfeld was not currently in danger of being fired, but doubted he would return as defense secretary if voters give Bush another term.

"I think Rumsfeld has had it. He's put in place some (Defense Department) reforms, and now it's up to others to implement it," the source said.

The Republican thought Rumsfeld himself leaked the memo. In it, Rumsfeld said America had not made "truly bold moves" in fighting terrorism, had garnered "mixed results" against al Qaeda, and asked, "Are we winning or losing the global war on terror?"

'CLASSIC RUMMY'

"It's classic Rummy," this Republican said. "It sends a shot across the bow of the White House that (says), 'Don't mess with the other side of the Potomac."' The Pentagon sits across the Potomac River from Washington.

more.......

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20031026/pl_nm/iraq_usa_rumsfeld_dc

[PartyPooper]

1. Rummy is toast. He can retire comfortably in seclusion in Santa Fe.

But, what about Perle and Wolfowitz?

Is the OSP on the 'hit list', too? Inquiring DU'ers wanna' know!

:evilfrown:

[PurityOfEssence]

2. I'd say he's safe: to fire him is tantamount to admission of failure

not to mention habitual misrepresentation. It's that proto-masculine bull-headed crap again.

He may be everybody's worst enemy though, because he wants more power and fancies himself both Minister of State and Regent rolled into one. Those endless memos he sends are more than just a nuisance, they're an ongoing proof of discord.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of fellas.

[UTUSN]

3. 40Yrs of Work, & He Doesn't Have a Single Friend n/t

[Skittles]

4. now I am picturing Rumsfeld in drag

not attractive

[arikara]

12. No, not drag...

Time to haul out my fave pic of mr. rummy...

[teryang]

5. Economic and military failure?

The junta is a huge pile of stinking manure in the living room. Getting rid of one person won't do the job. In fact, it will make the situation worse. A new administration must be elected to get out of Iraq will all due haste. Apologists for occupation will only result in more of the same. "Oh but we have to fix what we broke." No we don't, we can't.

The so called loyalists, criminals and terrorists have the support of the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people. Er, that means we've already lost.

[DrBB]

6. This is becoming a pattern

Heard this about Cheney, others too--whoever the current bad-guy happens to be: He won't be around after the *re-election. I.e., don't worry about whatever fuck-up nitwit we happen to have in place at the moment; just vote for us and we promise we'll put somebody else in, somebody soft 'n' cuddly who you'll just love, honest!

I DO like the fact that this unnamed insider source is saying the memo was deliberately leaked by Rummy. That's exactly how I was reading it too--not the only one to make that point, of course, but I was in a long exchange on another thread last week where people couldn't seem to get this....

[kainah]

7. I agree, DrBB

From the beginning, I felt sure that Rummy had leaked this himself. Especially after he showed up at the press conference, so calm about the whole thing. I also heard that these "snowflakes" are always signed "DR" but this one happened to be signed "Donald Rumsfeld." How convenient.

Nonetheless, I think he may be headed towards the door. Sooner or later they are probably going to have to throw someone overboard and it is just seeming as though they might believe Rummy would be a good sacrifice.

[Barrett808]

8. Bremer looks pretty scared in today's press conference

He may be the next body to be thrown overboard. If you see more than just a sound bite from the Idiot, you'll notice some very worried looking faces, including Cheney's. The Ramadan Offensive has them in near retreat.

[goforit]

10. What will cheney do without his rummy?

Maybe Pat Robertson will become thew new Secretary of Defense.

Bush's crusade will come true.

[uh_Clem]

9. Rumsfeld a drag on GOP?

How can they tell? I mean, it's not as if the rest of the party is exactly stellar.

[0007]

11. Rummy will be missed in the circle jerk -

His tongue is sharpe and he never never misses a beat.

I don't know whos worse, Condi or Rummy.