I'm enjoying the Rumsfeld debate.

[joemurphy]

This was a great move on Reid's part. It'll be fun seeing which Repubs speak in Rummie's defense and hearing their reasoning. Their votes will be something to watch too. It's hard to defend the indefensible.

[IChing]

1. Can't watch it, can you give a little more info?

where are you watching it? I'm not near a TV

[kohodog]

2. Talk about dinosaurs...some of the senators are clueless

And that's stating it mildly. Stevens going on about how wonderful it was when Rummy came to Alaska and how the WWII vets liked having their picture taken with him. I only heard snippets, but it was amazing how completely out of touch most of the Republicans seemed.

[joemurphy]

3. It's on C-Span2.

I just started. I caught the tail end of Kerry's speech. Then Judd Gregg came on. Gregg went on a rambling rant about "Monday-morning quarterbacking" and "second-guessing". The Ted Stevens came on griping about the debate taking too long and wanting a time limit on it. Kennedy spoke and really slammed Rummy -- pointing out that the Navy has sacked people because their actions gave rise to a "lack of confidence in their continued leadership". Kennedy suggested Rummy should be terminated for the same reasons. Mark Dayton is now up talking about "incompetence" and "flawed leadership" and "successive policy failures".

[IChing]

6. Thanks, a thoughtful post for us who cannot view...n/t

[ObaMania]

4. I can't imagine why...

.. the 'Pukes are winning!

The Dean/Lamont comment by Gregg went as I suspected, unchallenged.

[joemurphy]

5. Oh good. John Kyl is up. "Monday-morning quarterbacking"

"It's hard to debate mistakes while war is going on." "If we need more troops, we shouldn't withdraw an American every time we train up an Iraqi."

Kyl now asserts that this is more criticism that plays into the enemy's hands...The "enemy" sees Iraq as the equivalent of "World War III". Kyl says its a fight we can't walk away from. We can't evacuate Iraq and win this war on Islamic terrorism.

Kyl says that Rummie should be "credited" for our accomplishments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Saddam is gone and his people are free to elect a new government. Gaddafi abandoned his nuclear weapons program because of our "resolve" -- Kyl says Rummie should be credited for this.

[notadmblnd]

7. Kyl R arizona asking; is there no credit for what we've accomplished

in Afghanistan? Apparently he thinks they're living in peace now.. little girls can go to school now, people aren't being killed in staduims any longer. I'm thinking WTF? Where's Osama? The Taliban is regaining control. Didn't we go into that country for those two purposes alone? hell no, they get no credit, they've accomplished nothing there either!

[IChing]

8. don't start a seperate thread joe I'm trying to work

Keep us informed on one thread so we can just do refresh on one thread

thanks

[seriousstan]

9. What vote?

Not this one is it?....

Vote on Rumsfeld Fizzling Out in Senate

Republicans called the move a political stunt and stood by Rumsfeld.

Even Democrats acknowledged that the Rumsfeld resolution, which is nonbinding in the first place, would be struck down on a point of order anyway since it is not germane to the pending legislation, the Pentagon spending bill.

"The 'stay the course' policy in Iraq has made America less secure, reduced the readiness of our troops, and burdened America's taxpayers with over $300 billion in additional debt. ... One indication of a change of course would be to replace the current secretary of defense," the resolution said.

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, the floor manager of the bill, rose to Rumsfeld's defense and promised to kill the Democratic resolution on a point of order.