The timing of this is quite surprising: Rumsfeld resigns. H/t to C.Stanley. I will update this post later: I am currently listening to Bush talking about yesterday’s elections. So far he sounds very good.
UPDATE 1
Bush just confirmed it: Rumsfeld has, after being Secretary of Defense for approximately six years, resigned.
UPDATE 2
Initial thoughts: Bush is dealing with yesterday’s elections in a marvelous manner. Whether one is Democrat or Republican, one has to give that to him. Most people would have thought that Rumsfeld would resign (if he would resign) a few months from now. Bush now shows that he is willing to listen to the American people (and the critics). One might say finally, but so be it. Finally or not, Bush – for now – seems to be more willing to listen to the oppostion than during any other time during his Presidency. For that he deserves respect, from Republicans as well as Democrats (and every other critique).
UPDATE 3
From CNN:
Former CIA chief Robert Gates,who headed that agency from 1991 until 1993, will be nominated to take over as defense secretary, Bush said Wednesday.
Gates is now president of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
UPDATE 4
As all of you know by now, I believe that Donald Rumsfeld did a horrendous job regarding Iraq. If one person is the symbol of “State of Denial”, it is Rumsfeld.
The time has long passed that Rumsfeld should resign, but better late than never.
Today Bush is living in a new political world; one in which the Democrats have significant power. One in which – to be successful – he has to compromise. The good news? Bush seems to understand that as well. As I understand it, he was quite a good, compromising Governor of Texas: he was able to work with both sides, so I am told. Perhaps we will see that Bush now.
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