Sara at home
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
MSNBC breaking news. Maybe just a rumor. They are waiting for confirmation.
ETA: Just confirmed by a high administration official to Kelly O'Donnell.
AP has the story too.
-------------------- Assume that all my posts will be edited at least once. Dyslexic -- can't spell, can't type, can't proofread. Posts: 8317 | From: Reading, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Well, I really hope that whoever replaces him listens to his commanders in the field.
Does anyone think this war would have been more, not less, popular if Americans had been asked to sacrifice in daily life? Maybe using less gasoline, conserving energy, volunteering? The war seems to be oddly detached from everyday life in the States, with only abstract death-counts to remind us that it's going on. If we knew more about the men and women who are on the front lines, making the really big sacrifices, would it have made a difference?
I don't know. I just don't think you can run a war on the cheap and on the quiet.
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Only 6 Years to late to. I suppose after the Armed Forces papers called for his head it was inevitable, but I guess he couldn't step down before the election (though I wonder if it wouldn't have helped the GOP I think).
-Winged Monkey
Posts: 536 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Was it just MSNBC with a odd beep moment or during the press conference did Bush just quote Cheney as saying "the ****ing job isn't complete'?
I must have just watched those 5 seconds about 10 times and I'm still not real sure what it looks like he said. But nothing will make my head pop up like the *beeeep* during a presidental conference.
-------------------- We frettered around like farm animals, looking around for formulas and father figures. -Twilight Zone Posts: 425 | From: Lynchburg, VA | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Bush: Cheney, Rumsfeld `are doing fantastic jobs' UNPOPULAR MEN SHOULD STAY ON, PRESIDENT SAYS By Terence Hunt Associated Press
WASHINGTON - President Bush said Wednesday that he wants Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney to remain with him until the end of his presidency, extending a job guarantee to two of the most-vilified members of his administration.
``Both those men are doing fantastic jobs, and I strongly support them,'' Bush said in an interview with the Associated Press and others.
Bush likes to praise people for how good they are doing right before giving them the shiv in the back.
Hopefully Cheney is next to go.
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I think the departure of Cheney is highly doubtful, RBCal. To my knowledge, he’s never expressed any thought to leaving the White House. Remember, Rumsfeld attempted to resign two times before today, shortly after the Abu Ghraib scandal hit. Bush wouldn't accept his offers, though (the famous line from Woodward's book being, "Even if Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting me, I'm still stickin' with Rumsfeld!").
Rumsfeld's prior attempts were a particular sore point for Armitage, who was enraged at just how easily Bush accepted Powell's resignation.
I imagine the Joint Chiefs are more relieved than anyone else in the country, presently. That man simply would not work with nor trust them.
-------------------- The salty fragrance of L’EauD’I’mNotDedalus - made entirely of and entirely for sea turtles. Posts: 1983 | From: Chicagoland, IL | Registered: Feb 2005
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Seems like such a senseless thing to do. Why now? Why not BEFORE the election, so as to maybe NOT lose the Senate?
I really want to give the White House the benefit of the doubt about NOT having their heads stuck up their butts, but this is really getting difficult.
-------------------- And now for something completely different... Posts: 4164 | From: Alabama | Registered: Oct 2005
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Canuckistan
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
I posted it in the other (now closed) thread, but I'll reiterate:
I believe the proper response to this announcement is ...
quote:Na na na na Na na na na Hey, hey, hey Goodbye!
Everybody now!
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Sara at home
Ding Dong! Merrily on High Definition TV
posted
I've been singing that to Santorum all morning. I can whip up another chorus or 200.
-------------------- Assume that all my posts will be edited at least once. Dyslexic -- can't spell, can't type, can't proofread. Posts: 8317 | From: Reading, PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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I wonder if the preznit will give Rummy the Medal of Freedom.
-------------------- It takes a sexually stimulated man to make a chicken affectionate. Posts: 1034 | From: Central Illinois | Registered: Feb 2002
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quote:Originally posted by I'mNotDedalus: I think the departure of Cheney is highly doubtful,...
Unless... (puts tinfoil hat on):
Suppose the Republican leadership decides the best way to maintain control of the White House in 2008 is to have a sitting vice-president who will run for president (and there is no indication that Cheney will run). So they convince to Cheney to resign (for "health reasons" of course) in 6 months or a year, and they appoint ....
... Joe Lieberman, whom they hope to convince to run as a Republican in 2008. Plus, they can then pick up Connecticut as a Republican seat in the Senate.
Nick
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quote:Originally posted by Doug4.7: Seems like such a senseless thing to do. Why now? Why not BEFORE the election, so as to maybe NOT lose the Senate?
According to the Associated Press: "The president disclosed he met with Gates last Sunday, two days before the elections in which Democrats swept to control of the House and possibly the Senate."
I imagine that meeting had been somewhat of a Bush interview (or as much of an interview Bush is capable of handling: "Where's that accent of yours from? Hey! Don’t that computer guy have the same name as you? You two related? From now on, I’m gonna’ call you ‘Poindexter’"). Perhaps Rumsfeld had handed in his letter some time last week. If that's the case, it does seem odd that the White House wouldn't make a play for the elections with this kind of information.
But, in the other Rumsfeld thread, Angl probably hit the nail when she suggested that the White House is moving as quickly as possible to get their new man nominated before a Democratic Senate can quash the deal.
quote:Originally posted by Algae: Does anyone have an opinion of how he'll do as Secretary of Defense? I don't know enough about him.
As Bush family loyalists go, Gates appears to be of the old Bush Sr. order, which portends some decency with this Administration’s track record. I imagine Baker was high on the list, but I've read just how damn stubborn GW can be about employing his talents (he and his mother essentially blame him for losing Sr.'s shot at a second term).
Gates has an odd record, though. In recent years, he's "served as the president of Texas A&M University since August 2002, and as the university's interim dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service from 1999 to 2001."
He "joined the CIA in 1966 and is the only agency employee to rise from an entry level job to the 7th floor director's office. He served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century, under six presidents."
-------------------- The salty fragrance of L’EauD’I’mNotDedalus - made entirely of and entirely for sea turtles. Posts: 1983 | From: Chicagoland, IL | Registered: Feb 2005
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Remember, the Senate would have to approve any veep nominated. If Cheney steps down and the Senate is tied 50-50, the R's would lose control. If the D's are 51-49, no way in hell they would approve a veep appointment.
Pogue
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posted
Man. Between this, the Dems taking the majority in the House and possibly the Senate after the Virgina recount, and Ohio going blue in every statewide election except for Auditor of the State . . . Today is the BEST. DAY. EVER.
-------------------- Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change. Posts: 41 | From: West Central Ohio (Wee. Farms.) | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Beckalina: Man. Between this, the Dems taking the majority in the House and possibly the Senate after the Virgina recount, and Ohio going blue in every statewide election except for Auditor of the State . . . Today is the BEST. DAY. EVER.
It's certainly a fascinating day for U.S. politics. But I don't foresee any astonishing change in the next two years. As far as pragmatic benefits for the people go, the Democrats will probably be able to increase the Federal Minimum Wage. Perhaps some strides will be made for a new energy policy. And perhaps aided by all their Governorships, the Democrats now have a significant chance of taking the White House in '08 (although McCain, in my opinion, would be damn near unbeatable).
But Iraq is Iraq and Bush is Bush (not to mention the Supreme Court has a conservative stench). What's more, Bush and Cheney get particularly nasty when cornered. At their tamest, we'll probably be seein' vetoes issued left and right.
-------------------- The salty fragrance of L’EauD’I’mNotDedalus - made entirely of and entirely for sea turtles. Posts: 1983 | From: Chicagoland, IL | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by I'mNotDedalus: It's certainly a fascinating day for U.S. politics. But I don't foresee any astonishing change in the next two years.
I do think that the election outcomes prove that a large number of Americans wanted change. Maybe things will stay exactly the same, but at least we have a chance now.
At least in Ohio, a change was certainly needed. Between the Noe and his coins, Ney, and Taft, we needed a fresh start. I'm hoping that 2007 truly brings that.
I will admit that I'm fairly certain I won't be as optimistic in six months or so, but whatcha gonna do? Most of my excitement of the day comes from Ohio passing minimum wage and my favorite former Rep taking a Senate seat.
-------------------- Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change. Posts: 41 | From: West Central Ohio (Wee. Farms.) | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Doug4.7: Seems like such a senseless thing to do. Why now? Why not BEFORE the election, so as to maybe NOT lose the Senate?
Could the Secretary of Defense be impeached? My inner cynic is suspicious that with a Democratically controlled congress, this might happen. And I am pretty sure Rumsfeld has knowledge that would be quite damaging to the White House should it come out.
-------------------- There are people who drive really nice cars who feel that [those] cars won't be as special if other people drive them too. Where I come from, we call those people "selfish self-satisfied gits." -Chloe Posts: 6995 | From: New Mexico | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I worry, at least in part, that this is far more due to public pressure, and the administration's willingness to eat its own children, than to legitimate concerns. And yes, quite honestly, I really don't care who calls for his resignation--that the leadership of the United States armed services would is significant, but neither overwhelming nor surprising. I would suggest he has not been high on their list of "people to invite to the Christmas party" from the very start of his current tenure, after it became clear he was taking a dim view to some of their beloved pets (Crusader, I'm looking at you).
I don't know anything about Gates, so it's hard for me, at least, to say where I think things are going. I would propose, however, that this is significant--a case can be made for Rumsfeld, with his reorganising and repurposing mission, was the most important Secretary of Defense since Weinberger and possibly McNamara. Like the latter, his tenure has been marred by American commitment to an increasingly unpopular war that is inextricably linked to his policies, and I won't say that either Vietnam or Iraq reflect well on them. But neither should their contributions be dismissed, as unpopular as they may have been.
-------------------- I'm just a typical American boy from a typical American town. Posts: 1463 | From: CU, Boulder Campus | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote:Originally posted by TurquoiseGirl: Could the Secretary of Defense be impeached? My inner cynic is suspicious that with a Democratically controlled congress, this might happen. And I am pretty sure Rumsfeld has knowledge that would be quite damaging to the White House should it come out.
Cabinet secretaries can be impeached. But I don't think it even takes the threat of impeachment to make it worth having him step down. The fact is that there will be a lot more oversight hearings now, with situations that could be embrassing for the administration. Considering how disliked Rumsfeld is right now, the administration is better off not having to deal with having him defend himself to Congress and is probably hoping that they can assuage some Democrats by having him step down.
Now, any time there's criticism of how the war is being conducted, just look for the administration to yell, "We just put in a new Secretary of Defense! It'll be better! You just have to wait and see!"
Posts: 345 | From: Washington, DC | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Rumsfeld to America: Screw you guys! I'm going home!
Dawn--is Robert Gates Bill's brother?--Storm
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I think that Rumsfeld still has a great career ahead of him - in Hollywood. He can play all those Evil Grandpa roles that Wilford Brimley used to do.
Posts: 2079 | From: California | Registered: Feb 2000
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And cabinet secretaries can't legally be fired by the President, or anyone else. In practice, of course, if the President asks for the resignation of a political appointee, it's mighty hard to say no.
-------------------- "Hillel says yes, naturally, and Shammai says no, and Maimonides is perplexed, and what do I know?" Julius Lester Posts: 5780 | From: Suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Registered: Oct 2001
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Arrrgh BoKu, mind bleach... what a creepy grandfather image... maybe a flick called "GrandDaddy Dearest"?
- scrub scrub ouch-
Note to self: Do not coat Q-tip in bleach and attempt to clean brain.
That aside, I just have to join the waving "buh-bye, asshat" sentiment.
-------------------- "There is a race between mankind and the universe. Mankind is trying to build bigger, better, faster, and more foolproof machines. The universe is trying to build bigger, better, and faster fools. So far the universe is winning." -Albert Einstein Posts: 1058 | From: Yakima, WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by A Fish Called DawnStorm: Rumsfeld to America: Screw you guys! I'm going home!
It is unusual for a beginning cabinet secretary to stay with a two term presidency for all eight years. Do you feel all of them are sending this message? If not, could you name some Democrats whose resignation should be interpreted as "screw you," or is this just a GOP or neoconservative thing?
-------------------- "Hillel says yes, naturally, and Shammai says no, and Maimonides is perplexed, and what do I know?" Julius Lester Posts: 5780 | From: Suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Zabia: Was it just MSNBC with a odd beep moment or during the press conference did Bush just quote Cheney as saying "the ****ing job isn't complete'?
I must have just watched those 5 seconds about 10 times and I'm still not real sure what it looks like he said. But nothing will make my head pop up like the *beeeep* during a presidental conference.
NPR had the beep on their audio feed as well. I was wondering the same thing.
-------------------- "If I didn't see it and didn't know it was a real news report, I wouldn't believe it. I mean, how nutty can you get?"-Pat Robertson Oct 26, 2006. Posts: 2936 | From: Mean Streets of West Virginia | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
November's Texas Monthly features an interesting profile of Robert Gates. If he can affect change in Aggieland, he just might be able to affect change in Washington.
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quote:From Starla's Link: As we talked, Gates seldom made visual contact, preferring to fix his gaze on the distant panorama afforded by a picture window. His line of sight was a full ninety degrees to the right of where I was sitting. I have since mused about his body language, trying to guess at its meaning. Was it an old habit, a way of making sure that he wasn’t giving away any clues that could be “read” by a potential adversary? Was it a form of gamesmanship? Or was it his way of focusing, of shutting out extraneous stimuli to concentrate on his answers?
He stays the course with no eye-contact!? Nooooooooooo!
I think Gates may bring some much-needed intelligence and collaborative abilities back into the Pentagon's leadership. He is, after all, a member of the Baker Commission, privy to information that may well lend itself to supporting an entirely different strategy.
On PBS, I heard Brooks or Shields make an interesting comment, akin to the Secretary of Defense acting as a President's final sacrificial piece; a metaphor that imparts an answer to just why Bush held off on announcing Rumsfeld’s resignation before the election. With so much of the American voting public dissatisfied with the war, it's rather crafty to let the spotlight of criticism remain on the Secretary, rather than the failing policy be identified solely with the President as the voters make their mark. I suspect, though, Bush was hoping for a better gain with this tactic.
-------------------- The salty fragrance of L’EauD’I’mNotDedalus - made entirely of and entirely for sea turtles. Posts: 1983 | From: Chicagoland, IL | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Steve Eisenberg: And cabinet secretaries can't legally be fired by the President, or anyone else.
How do you figure this? All such officials serve at the pleasure of the president and can be dismissed whenever the prez grows tired of them.
As for Gates as defense secretary: With the D's now in charge of the Senate, that confirmation hearing may get mighty interesting.
Pogue
-------------------- Let's drink to the causes in your life: Your family, your friends, the union, your wife. Posts: 11325 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Nov 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Pogue Mahone: As for Gates as defense secretary: With the D's now in charge of the Senate, that confirmation hearing may get mighty interesting.
Really? I've heard both Biden and McCain say, today, that they expect a smooth confirmation.
-------------------- The salty fragrance of L’EauD’I’mNotDedalus - made entirely of and entirely for sea turtles. Posts: 1983 | From: Chicagoland, IL | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Zabia: Was it just MSNBC with a odd beep moment or during the press conference did Bush just quote Cheney as saying "the ****ing job isn't complete'?
I must have just watched those 5 seconds about 10 times and I'm still not real sure what it looks like he said. But nothing will make my head pop up like the *beeeep* during a presidental conference.
NPR had the beep on their audio feed as well. I was wondering the same thing.
(Try part 2)
Thank you. I was really thinking that I was going crazy. I had the news on all day and it was never mentioned. Personally to me the prez that has upped FCC fines would be more careful. Or that our so called left wing media would have more about it. At least I'm not the only one.
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