posted November 15, 2006 03:09 PM
It's right in here!-----------------------------------------
Calls for resignation
Eight retired generals called for Rumsfeld to resign in early 2006, mostly questioning his military planning and strategic competence.[24][25][26] Rumsfeld rebuffed these criticisms, stating that "out of thousands and thousands of admirals and generals, if every time two or three people disagreed we changed the secretary of defense of the United States, it would be like a merry-go-round."[27] Conservative commentator Patrick J. Buchanan reports that "Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, who travels often to Iraq and supports the war, says that the generals mirror the views of 75 percent of the officers in the field, and probably more."[28] President Bush responded to the criticism by stating that Rumsfeld is "exactly what is needed,"[29] and also defended him in his controversial decider remark.
On November 4, 2006, the Military Times newspapers owned by the Gannett Company, which include the Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times, and Marine Corps Times, jointly published an editorial calling for Bush to fire Rumsfeld. It stated:
It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed. But when the nation’s current military leaders start to break publicly with their defense secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads.... Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt.[30]
Resignation
Rumsfeld shakes the President's hand as he announces his resignation, November 8, 2006.On November 1, 2006, President Bush stated he would stand by Rumsfeld as defense secretary for the length of his term as president. In the November 7 elections, the House and the Senate shifted to Democratic control. One day later, Bush announced Rumsfeld would resign his position as Secretary of Defense. Bush nominated Robert Gates for the position.[31][32][33][34] At a press conference announcing the resignation of Rumsfeld and the nomination of Bob Gates, Bush stated:
America is safer and the world is more secure because of the service and the leadership of Donald Rumsfeld. As he led the Pentagon in an unprecedented war, Don never took his eye off another vital responsibility, preparing America for the threats that await us as this new century unfolds. He developed a new defense strategy. He established a new Northern Command to protect the homeland, a new Joint Forces Command to focus on transformation, a new Strategic Command to defend against long-range attack, and transformed the U.S. Special Operations Command for the war on terror. He led our efforts to create a new NATO Response Force that allows NATO to deploy rapidly anywhere in the world. He undertook the most sweeping transformation of America's global force posture since the end of World War II. He revitalized America's efforts to develop and deploy ballistic missile defenses, and led a comprehensive review of America's nuclear forces that has allowed us to undertake dramatic reductions in offensive nuclear weapons. Don's work in these areas did not often make the headlines. But the reforms that he has set in motion are historic, and they will enhance the security of the American people for decades to come.[35]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Rumsfeld#Calls_for_resignation
Lindaland
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
posted November 15, 2006 03:09 PM
posted November 15, 2006 03:25 PM
posted November 15, 2006 03:31 PM