Rumsfeld quits

November 8, 2006 10:00 AM

Newsfilter: RUMMY QUITS!!Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld resigns.
posted by ernie (237 comments total)

Well, that's natural. He probably wants to devote more time to his true calling, modern interpretive dance.
posted by jonmc at 10:02 AM on November 8, 2006 [4 favorites]

.
posted by A189Nut at 10:02 AM on November 8, 2006

Right now the President's having his press conference; let's see if he says anything about this.
posted by armage at 10:03 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Whipsmart beat you by 8 minutes.
posted by R. Mutt at 10:04 AM on November 8, 2006

Mission Accomplished.
posted by meehawl at 10:05 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Wait! It might just be another rumor.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:05 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

damn, spent to much time on the clever title.
posted by brevator at 10:05 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Which old witch?
posted by ColdChef at 10:05 AM on November 8, 2006

This is too much good news for one day... can't we spread it out a little?
posted by rolypolyman at 10:06 AM on November 8, 2006

w00t
posted by fire&wings at 10:06 AM on November 8, 2006

Robert Gates
posted by Sirius at 10:06 AM on November 8, 2006

Yep, Bush confirmed it -- Rumsfeld is gone.
posted by armage at 10:07 AM on November 8, 2006

The SOB is still getting subpoenaed. He's not getting out of it that easy.
posted by gsteff at 10:07 AM on November 8, 2006

But why will changing the captain on the Titanic effect the coal fire in the hold and the iceburg which has ripped a hole in the side of the ship?
posted by rough ashlar at 10:08 AM on November 8, 2006

Bush is like a 5-year-old who didn't get the bicycle he was whining for--it's sad.

If they had only done this 2 months ago, they might not have lost yesterday--and just the other day, Bush was saying Rummy was staying till the end of his term.
posted by amberglow at 10:08 AM on November 8, 2006

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better...

If anymore good news comes out, I think my head is going to explode.
posted by rand at 10:08 AM on November 8, 2006

he's actually spitting the words out during this press conf.
posted by amberglow at 10:08 AM on November 8, 2006

Christmas came early this year!
posted by keswick at 10:08 AM on November 8, 2006

Am I happy that Rumsfeld is gone? Goodness gracious, yes!
posted by InfidelZombie at 10:09 AM on November 8, 2006 [6 favorites]

So Rumsfeld is getting a medal of honor then?
posted by drezdn at 10:09 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

So the third time (attempting to resign) is the charm?
posted by jca at 10:09 AM on November 8, 2006

You go to war with the Secretary of Defense you have, notwith the Secretary of Defense you wish you had.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:10 AM on November 8, 2006 [3 favorites]

Huh. On Google News search, still seeing "Democrats' win alone won't drive Rumsfeld out" and "Rumsfeld Has No Plans to Step Down, Despite Democrat Gains" -- WaPo and Faux News respectively.

But...'tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd.
posted by pax digita at 10:10 AM on November 8, 2006

Andy Borowitz is psychic:

In the wee hours of the morning after American voters swept his party from power, President George W. Bush made an extraordinary appearance on national television to ask the national electorate for a "do-over."

Millions of viewers were tuned into televised Election Night coverage when Mr. Bush, using the nation's Emergency Broadcasting System, interrupted those telecasts to make a direct appeal to the American people.

Looking unshaven and unsteady, and occasionally slurring his words, the president implored the American people to invalidate the results of last night's election and vote again.

"I grew up with the great tradition of do-overs on the golf courses of Greenwich, Connecticut," Mr. Bush told the American people. "And what's good for golf is good for democracy."

Mr. Bush said that if the American people would grant him a do-over, he would gladly fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, referring to his longtime Cabinet member as "that loser."
posted by words1 at 10:10 AM on November 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

!?!
posted by killy willy at 10:11 AM on November 8, 2006

YEAH! This is the icing on the cake on one of the best days I've had in, like, oh.... TWELVE YEARS! BYE BYE "good job Rummy!"

FUCKING A! YEAH!

He's talking about how he came in six years ago and wanted to "changed the tone"-and disappointed he hasn't changed it more. YOU'RE THE problem. Launching a new era of cooperation. JERK. Yeah, now you have to cooperate because the house isn't your laptop anymore.
posted by aacheson at 10:11 AM on November 8, 2006

Shouldn't Bush really be the one to resign?
posted by found missing at 10:13 AM on November 8, 2006

Mr President sounds ticked. Heh.
posted by R. Mutt at 10:14 AM on November 8, 2006

Ha, he just said that when he said last week that Rumsfeld isn't going anywhere, he was planning on doing it but didn't want to inject a huge change in before the election. That it didn't have anything to do with the election. RIGHT. He's so full of shit. He's so scared...he keeps flip flopping all over the place.
posted by aacheson at 10:14 AM on November 8, 2006

He doesn't know how to cooperate--it's his way or the highway--that's why he's pissed he was forced to do this (and forced by the GOP far more than by Dems). He can only work with people who agree with him.
posted by amberglow at 10:15 AM on November 8, 2006

Resignation? He should be falling on his fucking sword.
posted by mosk at 10:16 AM on November 8, 2006

Today he truly is a lameduck, and he knows it.
posted by amberglow at 10:16 AM on November 8, 2006

Err... lapDOG, not laptop.
posted by aacheson at 10:16 AM on November 8, 2006

Does this mean I can stop reading State of Denial?
posted by melt away at 10:16 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Well, this is good, but we're still in the middle of a horrible war, with no good exit strategy.
posted by OmieWise at 10:17 AM on November 8, 2006

Bush is now dancing around during his press conference, saying the election wasn't about Iraq, but about ethics. oh, the crushing irony.
posted by killy willy at 10:17 AM on November 8, 2006

These dominoes can keep falling as far as I'm concerned.
posted by tula at 10:17 AM on November 8, 2006

Bush wasn't too thrilled about the 'investigations' question.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:18 AM on November 8, 2006

Nice.
posted by dead_ at 10:18 AM on November 8, 2006

Why would Bush resign? He just won two years ago. And do we really want President Cheney? It irritates me that this is drawn as a referendum on W, wasn't that what happened in 2004? And he won.

Anyway.

Even if the *reason* he just gave on TV for not admitting that Rummy was on his way out makes sense -- when he gave it, he gave a "are you buying this?" look. What a liar.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 10:18 AM on November 8, 2006

I can't believe he's actually trying to explain away his lies all during the campaign about keeping Rummy. After corruption and ethics were cited by most people in exit polls as the top reason they voted!
posted by amberglow at 10:19 AM on November 8, 2006

America, fuck yeah.
posted by dazed_one at 10:19 AM on November 8, 2006

Wierd it made it, and all I got was an error on submit, I even started commenting in on brevator's post
Please save the MeTa and whining please, its a special goddam occasion and I realize that otherwise these sorts of Newsfilter one links (esp to MSNBC) are toxic to Mefi in high doses.

FWIW brevator had a nice title: "na-na, na-na na-na, hey hey hey..."
posted by ernie at 10:19 AM on November 8, 2006

I read that Cheney was hunting quail again yesterday. I figured this little problem was going to be taken care of quietly down by the river.
posted by hal9k at 10:19 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Karl Rove managed to put the blame on Rummy. Someone hire that guy.
posted by jsavimbi at 10:19 AM on November 8, 2006

God Bless the United States of America. Democracy works. It is often quite slow, but comes to the right decision after error.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:20 AM on November 8, 2006

I wonder how many pardons Bush will issue in the next two years.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:20 AM on November 8, 2006

As much as I'm glad to see that fucking douchebag out... what a pussy.

He was all big and huffy puffy about his critics when the GOP held both houses of Congress, but he's running with his tail between his legs at the first sign of having to actually answer his critics.
posted by mkultra at 10:20 AM on November 8, 2006

Is there a video feed for the Presidential press conference?
posted by boo_radley at 10:20 AM on November 8, 2006

I'd love to see a visual representation of the number of times "lame duck" appears near "Bush" starting about a month ago...

When does he "officially" get that moniker? Or does it depend on the results of the Senate?
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 10:21 AM on November 8, 2006

Honestly this amazing news is great, but I still cannot believe that they didn't steal the election. I mean I really can't believe it.

Buh-bye Rummy. Thanks for the great war strategy, asshole.
posted by trigby at 10:21 AM on November 8, 2006

I hate to break it to you, but they're just going to find someone else to replace him.
posted by action man bow-tie at 10:22 AM on November 8, 2006

he must have repeated "work together" 100 times already--but he doesn't know how.
posted by amberglow at 10:22 AM on November 8, 2006

Jesus. Judging from this presser Bush is going to be back on the sauce by the end of the year.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 10:23 AM on November 8, 2006

So this is the October surprise eh? Hmm, let's see if Rove's clever ploy will have any effect on the election...

Wait. What?
posted by quin at 10:23 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Bush is now dancing around during his press conference, saying the election wasn't about Iraq, but about ethics. oh, the crushing irony.
posted by killy willy

Yeah--yours, George!
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:23 AM on November 8, 2006

So we're losing one neocon robot to be replaced by another (if you cut off their heads, two grow back in its place). Is that really a win? Who will replace Gates at the CIA?
posted by doctor_negative at 10:24 AM on November 8, 2006

I still cannot believe that they didn't steal the election. I mean I really can't believe it.

Watch VA, and MT--they're not done yet.
posted by amberglow at 10:25 AM on November 8, 2006

...and just the other day, Bush was saying Rummy was staying till the end of his term.

Just to be clear, I thought Bush said Rumsfield could stay in office- not that he wouldn't leave his position under any circumstance. ie, Bush wouldn't fire him when such action was speculated.
posted by jmd82 at 10:25 AM on November 8, 2006

He probably wants to devote more time to his true calling, modern interpretive dance

You mean poetry, right?
posted by Afroblanco at 10:26 AM on November 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

There's a live feed on the BBC site, boo_radley.
posted by matthewr at 10:26 AM on November 8, 2006

Rummy: Cut-and-run, motherfucker, cut-and-run!

I say, stop-loss the POS for another tour. On the front lines. We can strap him to a humvee and use his withered, leathery carcass for armor. Support our troops!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:26 AM on November 8, 2006

Mwahaha. "Where's the Rum gone?"
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 10:26 AM on November 8, 2006

This is too much good news for one day... can't we spread it out a little?
posted by rolypolyman at 1:06 PM EST on November 8

It would have to be that way. Nothing but a stiff resistance for a long time and then complete capitulation.

It's like the GOP/Neocon Berlin wall is coming down.

(Now I'd like to know where I can go to piss on it.)
posted by Skygazer at 10:27 AM on November 8, 2006

*does a touchdown dance*
posted by bob sarabia at 10:27 AM on November 8, 2006

Accepting responsibility for Klendathu, Sky Marshal Rumsfeld resigns. His successor, Sky Marshal Tehat Maru, outlines her new strategy.

To fight the bug, we must understand the bug. We can ill afford another Klendathu.
posted by gwildar at 10:27 AM on November 8, 2006 [6 favorites]

Up next....
posted by squalor at 10:28 AM on November 8, 2006

but he's running with his tail between his legs at the first sign of having to actually answer his critics.


I haven't seen the news conference but I'm pretty confident this was not a voluntary resignation, know what I mean? This was probably a 'I am going to allow you to resign' thing. Which is not running with your tail between your legs. I'm sure Rummy would much still be in charge.
posted by spicynuts at 10:28 AM on November 8, 2006

Who'd a thunk it? /smacks forehead/ Couldn't have seen this coming.

I'm listening to Shrubya right now, and he sounds like a petulant little boy who's had his hand slapped. It's incredible to me that he thinks anyone will buy his revisionist retelling of what's been happening.

He really thinks the public is composed of dolts. Somebody get him a mirror, please.

That said, great news. Hopefully the snowball has just started rolling.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 10:28 AM on November 8, 2006

Or did you mean Bush?
posted by spicynuts at 10:29 AM on November 8, 2006

matthewr: thanks. I can't get the msnbc one to play in firefox.
posted by boo_radley at 10:29 AM on November 8, 2006

It's like Christmas came early.

Is this democracy in action?
posted by chillmost at 10:29 AM on November 8, 2006

Juicy Iran-Contra info on the new guy here....
posted by TheWash at 10:29 AM on November 8, 2006

Nov.1:
President Bush said Wednesday 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. ...
posted by amberglow at 10:30 AM on November 8, 2006

No kidding? This is awesome!!!
posted by malaprohibita at 10:30 AM on November 8, 2006

also from there: He refused to say whether he could work effectively with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi or Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid if Democrats won either the House or Senate, or both.
posted by amberglow at 10:31 AM on November 8, 2006

Rove fired Rummy although I dont think he'll make a very good scapegoat. The war is all about Bush and Cheney now.
posted by damn dirty ape at 10:32 AM on November 8, 2006

ahahahahahahaha
posted by slapshot57 at 10:32 AM on November 8, 2006

I say we pressure fill him to the brim with democracy and diabetic candies and drop him from a B-52 over Tehran. Show those Army weenies how you win a war...

Good fucking riddance.
posted by Divine_Wino at 10:32 AM on November 8, 2006

Amberglow, Montana has been called for Tester.
posted by Wulfgar! at 10:32 AM on November 8, 2006

Just as he finished his prepared statement Bush opened his leather folder in which Karl Rove had scribbled in big, block letters -- "Fresh Perspective." Okay, George, how many more times can you drop that phrase in your non-answers to the reporters' questions?
posted by ericb at 10:33 AM on November 8, 2006

Ha! Bush on Rove, explaining why the latter has out-performed in their book reading contest: "I was obviously working harder on the campaign than he was." At least he hasn't lost his sense of humor.
posted by rkent at 10:33 AM on November 8, 2006

i can't believe he asked the terrorists "not to rejoice" at the win of the democrats. fucking shameless
posted by yonation at 10:33 AM on November 8, 2006

Holy shit on a pita- did Bush just dis Rove?
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 10:34 AM on November 8, 2006

So only Macaca Goldstein's fate determines the Senate!
(yeah, I know, other thread, deal with it)
posted by ernie at 10:34 AM on November 8, 2006

a friend txt'd me: "Rumsfeld out, Gates in"

and I thought, Jesus Christ, the LAPD guy? But it's not Daryl, thankfully
posted by matteo at 10:34 AM on November 8, 2006

squalor, that comes only if Rove can't save VA for them.
posted by amberglow at 10:34 AM on November 8, 2006

Here's an interesting interview by Frontline with Robert Gates regarding the 1991 Gulf War.

Also, he was investigated but not indicted during Iran/Contra and involved in the US backing of Saddam in the 1980s, FWIW.
posted by armage at 10:35 AM on November 8, 2006

Who will replace Gates at the CIA?

Gates is ex-CIA. he's currently the president of Texas A&M University.
posted by ericb at 10:36 AM on November 8, 2006

Amberglow, Montana has been called for Tester.
Has Burns conceded yet? I heard no. Did MT officially certify it?

Bush is over and over saying it was a close election, but 04 he said he got a "mandate" (the only mandates he had were with Gannon/Guckert, Foley, Haggard, Crist, Schrock, and Mehlman, etc)
posted by amberglow at 10:37 AM on November 8, 2006

Ic. Democratic. How long are Republicans going to stick to their annoying verbal construction, using "Democrat" as an adjective? It's driving me up the flippin' wall listening to Bush (more than usual).
posted by stopgap at 10:37 AM on November 8, 2006

Holy cow. Come to my house. I'm making tiki drinks for the entire nation!
posted by ...possums at 10:38 AM on November 8, 2006

armage, so Gates is just a Rummy clone then?
posted by amberglow at 10:39 AM on November 8, 2006

And America weeps the loss of a great warrior.
/sarcasm
posted by fenriq at 10:40 AM on November 8, 2006

Gadzooks that press conference is something to behold.
posted by mazola at 10:40 AM on November 8, 2006

Happy day. I'm glad they were stubborn about it. I think the Military Times editorials tipped the final balance in the election.

Now, subpoenas all around. Let's have a hanging.
posted by fourcheesemac at 10:40 AM on November 8, 2006

Interesting armage, I hadn't heard much about Gates' backing of Saddam. Then again, there's that famous screencap of Rumsfeld with Mr. Handsome, so maybe that's just what all the kool kids were doing back then.
posted by xthlc at 10:40 AM on November 8, 2006

I'm predicting this thread is over 500 posts before I watch NewsHour on PBS.
posted by pax digita at 10:40 AM on November 8, 2006

Bush just said Americans didn't understand taxes and security??? too funny
posted by amberglow at 10:41 AM on November 8, 2006

The october surprise, finally.
posted by nims at 10:42 AM on November 8, 2006

*looks around for the members of the blue who were dissing the idea of the editortial in the army times existing, or such having an effect*

*checks under table*

Nope, no mea culpas there.

*checks under monitor*

Nope, none there

Wonder where they are? Where are these brave people who were asking for thread deletion because the post was rumor?
posted by rough ashlar at 10:42 AM on November 8, 2006

How long are Republicans going to stick to their annoying verbal construction, using "Democrat" as an adjective?

It's a conscious use on their part. They liken it to using the word "liberal" as an aspersion.
posted by ericb at 10:43 AM on November 8, 2006

That's what I was thinking nims. Not very good timing. If Bush had done this in summer with some appropriately mushy excuse, he would have prevented the Democratic landslide.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:44 AM on November 8, 2006

Who was the British dude asking a question?
posted by matthewr at 10:44 AM on November 8, 2006

Man...the guy is fucking embarrassing to listen to. He's the fucking President, not Hank down at the feed-and-grain store. Could he just once sound like a leader?
posted by Thorzdad at 10:44 AM on November 8, 2006

is it just me, or does Bush sound like Larry the Cable Guy during this press conference? "Git stuff done." "Git 'er done." gah.
posted by killy willy at 10:45 AM on November 8, 2006

And now, Dennis Hassert.
posted by gsteff at 10:47 AM on November 8, 2006

Gates is connected with Bush 1 and Baker--that's it.
posted by amberglow at 10:47 AM on November 8, 2006

That's one sullen, angry executive. Also, the BBC's coverage is so much better than CNN's.
posted by boo_radley at 10:48 AM on November 8, 2006

Oh boy, this means that we have confirmation hearings to look forward to doesn't it?
posted by ursus_comiter at 10:48 AM on November 8, 2006

jinx, Thorzdad!
posted by killy willy at 10:49 AM on November 8, 2006

ericb: Oh I know it's conscious. But seriously, are they still going to be saying it in 10 years? 20? 50? It makes me want to punch someone in the face. Which perhaps is their goal.
posted by stopgap at 10:50 AM on November 8, 2006

[does happy, supportive Canadian dance]
posted by orange swan at 10:50 AM on November 8, 2006

MT is not official--CNN only just this second projected Tester as winner.
posted by amberglow at 10:50 AM on November 8, 2006

Is it wrong that the thought "OMG SQUEE" jumped into my head when I saw this?
posted by etoile at 10:50 AM on November 8, 2006

i can't believe he asked the terrorists "not to rejoice" at the win of the democrats. fucking shameless
posted by yonation at 1:33 PM EST on November 8

You know, I was actually starting to feel sorry for the president until he said that.
posted by msali at 10:51 AM on November 8, 2006

amberglow: thanks for the links. I still see it as Bush saying, "I won't directly fire them." moreso than anything else. Of course, he may very well have been forced to step down so Bush could save some face. It really makes perfect sense if you think about it:
To directly fire Rumsfeld is to admit the war was a total failure (yes, many already think it is, but this is about how Bush perceives the war). However, by issuing a statement that he won't fire Rumsfeld, it offer leeway to forcing his stepping-down and Bush has something to fall back on and say, "Of cooooooooooourse I didn't force him to step down!" If anything, the timing of Bush's statement and Rumsfeld's stepping down makes it look like this was all planned behind closed doors.

rough: I still thought it was a lame post regardless. Happy now?
posted by jmd82 at 10:52 AM on November 8, 2006

God Bless the United States of America. Democracy works. It is often quite slow, but comes to the right decision after error.

But will your country hold these people accountable?
posted by dydecker at 10:52 AM on November 8, 2006

I totally agree, Thorzdad. He's so embarassing to listen to. He sounds like an undereducated hick, plus like a little kid throwing a tantrum. Didja hear how fast he started talking when he was in a tight spot? He sounds like he just crawled out from under a rock in Texas. I love to watch him squirm, though. tee hee.
posted by aacheson at 10:53 AM on November 8, 2006

It's funny how much more intelligent and thoughtful Bush's statements seem when read by a BBC anchor.

Bush needs to learn a British accent, quick.
posted by mazola at 10:54 AM on November 8, 2006

Wow.
.
.
.
.
.
.
This is an amazing day. I feel so happy at this moment to see the Bush administration take such a quick and heavy nosedive into the cesspool it created.
posted by JJ86 at 10:56 AM on November 8, 2006

Rumsfeld, out!
posted by rbf1138 at 10:56 AM on November 8, 2006

1. Bush said, clearly and definitively, last week that Rummy would stay. He said in the presser today that he knew then that he was considering removing Rummy, but intentionally mislead the reporters so as to not introduce the issue into the election. Hence, the President is admitting to having lied to effect the elections, yes?

2. Bush says that now that the elections are over he's prepared to be bipartisan and wants to meet with Pelosi and work with her. Well, of course he does. The Dems control the house and may control the Senate. Bush HAS to be bipartisan if he wants to get ANYTHING done. Better question: why wasn't he prepared to be bipartisan and meet with Pelosi when she was in the minority party? Clearly, he has no interest in being bipartisan when he isn't forced to be.

Bush said in his presser that he values Democrats and will work with them. But in his campaign stops, he regularly castigated Dems in the most strident terms - including as favoring the terrorists - for their positions. So now, when the Dems win control of Congress, he's all smiles and sunshine? Well, good luck with that.

Quack!
posted by darkstar at 10:56 AM on November 8, 2006

It seems that BBC require RealPlayer for its video feeds.

*sigh*
posted by Danf at 10:57 AM on November 8, 2006

Didja hear how fast he started talking when he was in a tight spot?

I haven't heard him talk so fast in a long time. He also did not give his usual studdering, pausing, meandering delivery. I think he's being medicated with something to improve his concentration and lucidity. Or he got a really good night's sleep last night.
posted by peeedro at 10:58 AM on November 8, 2006

You know what's really stupid about this decision of Bush's? It removed a buffer for Bush--now that Rummy's gone, Bush gets the blame more directly for Iraq (as it should be).
posted by amberglow at 10:58 AM on November 8, 2006

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by MythMaker at 10:59 AM on November 8, 2006

The only people in the country this move is going to convince is our lame media, i bet--there's no "change the course" until Baker forces it.
posted by amberglow at 11:01 AM on November 8, 2006

What are the legalities here? Are they trying to sneak a new boy in there that the lame duck GOP congress can confirm? Is that the motivation here? Or, will they have to wait to confirm him until after Jan 1?
posted by psmealey at 11:03 AM on November 8, 2006

Haw.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:03 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Goodnight, funnyman.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 11:05 AM on November 8, 2006

Even I am glad Rumsfeld is gone.


A day late and a dollar short, but still.
posted by konolia at 11:07 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Clearly, he has no interest in being bipartisan when he isn't forced to be

Don't you remember? The Decider is also the Uniter. Sheesh!
posted by mazola at 11:08 AM on November 8, 2006

"When I came to Washington I had hoped to change the tone of this town" ---GWB Press conference.

Uh...yeah right, cos you see he's the reasonable one who want s to find commonality and "work together" for the good of all. instead of being one of the most divisive and destructive political figures in this nations history. Christ the spinning shit never ends.


*BARF*
posted by Skygazer at 11:10 AM on November 8, 2006

rough: I still thought it was a lame post regardless. Happy now?
posted by jmd82 at 10:52 AM PST

Happy? Naw. The post may blow, but the discussion is where its at. The happiness will come when the next time the 'its sucks' briggade gets beaten with the yardstick of their past analysis. Thanks for asking, however.
posted by rough ashlar at 11:11 AM on November 8, 2006

The terrorists have already won
posted by qvantamon at 11:12 AM on November 8, 2006

This is Baker's first move? (i think it is--Bush doesn't listen to the people, nor to Congress)

Bush must be totally humiliated that the family fixer had to step in again.
posted by amberglow at 11:13 AM on November 8, 2006

also what is up with CNN not acknowledging Colorado? Their crawl never showed CO last night, either.
posted by boo_radley at 11:16 AM on November 8, 2006

Here's a thought; Now that Rumsfeld is a private citizen, one that arguably has intimate knowledge of what is currently transpiring on two separate war fronts, more specifically; one that might have knowledge of terrorist activities, can we have him seized as an enemy combatant? I bet it won't take much interrogation at all to get him to reveal all sorts of useful intelligence.
posted by quin at 11:17 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

psmealey, Bush could do a recess appointment, and get a free year for his new guy.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:17 AM on November 8, 2006

I'd like to know that something could humiliate that smug bastard.
posted by GrammarMoses at 11:18 AM on November 8, 2006

Fuck yeah! This is great.
posted by chunking express at 11:18 AM on November 8, 2006

What a glorious day! The hits just keep on coming.
posted by HyperBlue at 11:19 AM on November 8, 2006

Heavens to Betsy, here's your ass on a plate, sir! Whee! This day just gets better and better!
posted by maryh at 11:30 AM on November 8, 2006

Bush was for Rumsfeld before he was against him.
posted by ericb at 11:34 AM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

I missed this -- is a video available anywhere? Not real player, please.
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 11:36 AM on November 8, 2006

If only he was Frogmarched.
posted by phirleh at 11:41 AM on November 8, 2006

I just returned from lunch and had CNN's main page up on my browser, showing some election results. I hit 'Refresh' and WHAM! There was the blessed Rumsfeld news.

Man, I should've bought a lottery ticket last night.

Now it's time for everyone to contact their representatives and make sure they don't sleep on these positives - tell them that if there was ever a time to act, it is now. While the Bush administration is on the ropes.
posted by NationalKato at 11:41 AM on November 8, 2006

Speaking of recess appointments, guess whose is up in January...
posted by jperkins at 11:42 AM on November 8, 2006

I like how Bush's explanation for not saying something before the election was "because I wanted to deceive the electorate", or words really not much different.
posted by cillit bang at 11:45 AM on November 8, 2006

Once I put on a clean pair of pants, I began to wonder, why today? Why just hours after the election, with a few results yet to come in?

There's got to be a reason. Because if Bush had done this last week, he'd have maintained control of many more seats, and probably the Senate.

To do it today makes it look like a house of cards coming apart. It doesn't project control or strength or decisiveness. And it also exposes his statement of sticking by Rummy last week as a huge gaffe (at best) or a lie.

I hope someone digs into this a bit. I'd love to know the inside story.
posted by JWright at 11:50 AM on November 8, 2006

Speaking of recess appointments, guess whose is up in January...
posted by jperkins at 2:42 PM EST on November 8


Damn, that is sweet. This election is going to be the gift that just keeps on giving....
posted by Skygazer at 11:53 AM on November 8, 2006

why today? Why just hours after the election, with a few results yet to come in?

It changes the storyline immediately and stops all the good Democratic stuff that would have filled today and tomorrow's news. This was historic, and now the media's all about Rummy instead of about the election victories.

I do think Baker forced it tho--but that doesn't explain why today instead of next week or month--this smells of Rove changing the subject, as usual.
posted by amberglow at 11:57 AM on November 8, 2006

It changes the storyline immediately and stops all the good Democratic stuff that would have filled today and tomorrow's news.

Other way around, I think: by announcing it amid the storm of election coverage they help reduce people's attention to it and the amount of embarrassment it causes them. They needed a big story to lose this one in.
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:08 PM on November 8, 2006

I don't know--since it was announced at 1 there's not one election story on CNN--we're seeing Pelosi and Reid on, but only to talk about Rummy.

It's also going to be every headline tomorrow, instead of us taking both houses.
posted by amberglow at 12:16 PM on November 8, 2006

Yay!
posted by punkrockrat at 12:17 PM on November 8, 2006

psmealy most likely nailed it: Rumsfeld resigned so his replacement would be confirmed by the lame duck Republican Senate. The Democrats probably had planned investigative hearings that would have forced a resignation anyway, and the confirmation hearings in a Democratic senate would've been much less pleasant.

Still, good to hear.
posted by graymouser at 12:19 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

It's also going to be every headline tomorrow, instead of us taking both houses.

That is, if we take both houses. Perhaps the counting can proceed more 'productively' with everyone distracted... < /tinfoil>
posted by mazola at 12:21 PM on November 8, 2006

Oh, they're just getting started. As soon as the recounts in Montana and Virginia confirm wins for the Democrats, Bush better start making plans for impeachment. CNN has his job approval ratings at 35%.
posted by spock at 12:26 PM on November 8, 2006

I do think Baker forced it tho--but that doesn't explain why today instead of next week or month--this smells of Rove changing the subject, as usual.
posted by amberglow at 2:57 PM EST on November 8

Well the armed forces newspapers did demand his resignation on Monday, but what you posit would be in line with Rove rule # 1: Control (or frame) the public narrative at all times. Unless the GOP had pulled this out, Rummy was gone anyway, so why not use his exit to put the spotlight firmly on the White House again, show it to be nimble and responsive and "in control". Show these events to be it's drama. In a film or book whatever, you spend most of your time with the protagonist, not the antogonist. The Bush White house lost this election when the Iraq war became more of a story than the White House of George W. Bush.

Anyhow, once the 2007 congress goes on the offensive, the Bush White House is going to be in a state of continual justification for actions past and present, so I think we'll see some incredibly openly sleazy moves to game the system, between now and then.
posted by Skygazer at 12:30 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

yup, Skygazer....right now on tv is the 2nd Bush press thing of the day.
posted by amberglow at 12:36 PM on November 8, 2006

Surely this. . .
posted by Heywood Mogroot at 12:36 PM on November 8, 2006

It's also going to be every headline tomorrow, instead of us taking both houses.

But after that, the Dems will still have both houses.
posted by eyeballkid at 12:40 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Why just hours after the election, with a few results yet to come in?

When an animal is in a weakened state, often it's better for them to play dead.

Bush, having just suffered a massive defeat, loses nothing by merging this extra loss with it. Grouped together, the election loss and Rumsfeld's resignation are less damaging than if they were separated by a period of time, in the minds of most people. IOW, it's a good PR move.
posted by Kickstart70 at 1:01 PM on November 8, 2006

Oh...and Time is now reporting that Hastert has quit the Repulican leadership race.
posted by Kickstart70 at 1:08 PM on November 8, 2006

Rough Ashlar: But why will changing the captain on the Titanic effect the coal fire in the hold and the iceburg which has ripped a hole in the side of the ship?

It ain't over 'til it's over, and the old girl's got a lot of momentum yet. Let's hope the U.S. hasn't sideswiped one iceberg only to stay the course and hit a bigger one head-on.

Changing captains means that the ship is still underway.
posted by cenoxo at 1:21 PM on November 8, 2006

International wird der Abschied ebenfalls nicht gerade betrauert.
posted by muckster at 2:04 PM on November 8, 2006

Don't let the doorknob hit you in the ass!
posted by gamera at 2:10 PM on November 8, 2006

Bush needs to learn a British accent, quick.

No, he's already got a ventriloquist's dummy for that.
posted by randomination at 2:13 PM on November 8, 2006

Buh..buh..but Gannett news papers controls ‘army times’ and it’s not what “the troops” really think, and, but...

Yeah. Writing was on the wall.
posted by Smedleyman at 2:15 PM on November 8, 2006

All the DoD employees in this thread raise their hands. Just me? OK, meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
posted by fixedgear at 2:31 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Wow. I really didn't think this was going to happen.

Simple question Mr. President -- why have you fired the man who is, in your own words, the most qualified for this job? This job of killing brown people until they cough up a democracy?

I'm happy to be wrong though.
posted by bardic at 2:33 PM on November 8, 2006

> why have you fired the man who is, in your own words, the most qualified for this job?
> This job of killing brown people until they cough up a democracy?

Maybe Rumsfeld was the best, but the talent pool is deep and you got to think of the future.
posted by jfuller at 2:55 PM on November 8, 2006

Rough Ashlar: But why will changing the captain on the Titanic effect the coal fire in the hold and the iceburg which has ripped a hole in the side of the ship?

A better nautical analogy: "So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging." Jonah Ch1.

suggested by Ted Koppel on NPR today
posted by found missing at 2:55 PM on November 8, 2006

Le Roi est mort. Vive le Roi!
posted by oxford blue at 2:59 PM on November 8, 2006

So basically the Devil's resigned and he's being replaced by a lesser evil. Well hooray.
posted by Effigy2000 at 3:01 PM on November 8, 2006

This news will only embiggen the terrorists' resolve. Don't misunderestimate that.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:01 PM on November 8, 2006

It seems Mr. Limbaugh is sad today.
I FEEL LIBERATED... I NO LONGER HAVE TO CARRY THE WATER FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T DESERVE IT

Audio at the link. Via Drudge.
posted by rough ashlar at 3:03 PM on November 8, 2006

well why shouldn't tehy be embiggend. i'm feel embiggend , lets be biggen for a change.
posted by nola at 3:06 PM on November 8, 2006

Yeah, I just indulged in watching some FOX News. In all sincerity, it was absolutely hilarious.
posted by bardic at 3:09 PM on November 8, 2006

Finally Rumsfeld can go back to his true calling helping evil pharmaceutical products like NutraSweet get on the market
posted by matimer at 3:33 PM on November 8, 2006

i can't believe he asked the terrorists "not to rejoice" at the win of the democrats. fucking shameless

I wonder if it's ever going to either occur to that cretin that it's not just "The Democrats" that won, it's the 50 fucking percent of the voting population that won, and that by dissing "The Democrat Party" (and yes, that construction is deliberate, and yes, it pisses me off, and yes, it's meant to) he's dissing half the fucking voting populace?

Some fucking uniter. That fucking retarded dry-alcoholic fucking shitheel cunt bastard. I loathe, detest and revile that man.
posted by kcds at 3:58 PM on November 8, 2006

fucking shitheel cunt

You know, I've got a very vivid imagination and I'm still not sure how that's supposed to work.

I'm sure it'll come to me at 3 AM, though. TIA.
posted by nebulawindphone at 4:10 PM on November 8, 2006

Welp, I was way overly optimistic on how many posts by now...
posted by pax digita at 4:16 PM on November 8, 2006

dry-alcoholic

says who? the dry part I mean
posted by matteo at 4:23 PM on November 8, 2006

It's true, matteo. The Bush Whitehouse is staunchly anti-vermouth.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:24 PM on November 8, 2006 [2 favorites]

Some fucking uniter. That fucking retarded dry-alcoholic fucking shitheel cunt bastard. I loathe, detest and revile that man.

But kcds, tell us how you really feel. :-)
posted by ontic at 4:31 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

So, resigned or no, he's still coming to Kansas State University tomorrow as part of the Landon Lecture series. If you're curious as to what he could possibly say now, you can watch it live online at 11AM CST. I'll be interested to see the response he gets from the 500-ish special invited guests from nearby Ft. Riley.
posted by donnagirl at 5:10 PM on November 8, 2006

I'm actually sort of amazed; the timing here is hilarious.
Quick, start firing people until Americans like us again!
posted by 235w103 at 5:20 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

So, Limbaugh is sick of carrying these sorry bastards on his broad manly shoulders, is he?

Imagine how the rest of us feel, you shitmitten.

Plus, he just admitted he is willing to support the wrong people at the wrong time for purely partisan reasons, and accuse others of putting party before country at the same time. Transparent tool, give him some more rope.
posted by dglynn at 5:26 PM on November 8, 2006

evil pharmaceutical products like NutraSweet

thank you mr. wonderful
posted by caddis at 5:57 PM on November 8, 2006

The Limbaugh thing is weird. Even for him. I'm sure a lot of his listeners were confused.
posted by bardic at 6:00 PM on November 8, 2006

I'm sure a lot of his listeners were confused.

Yes a lot of his listeners are confused, no doubt about that. Still who's going to present Rummy the bill ?
posted by elpapacito at 6:18 PM on November 8, 2006

Not Yours!
posted by rxrfrx at 6:22 PM on November 8, 2006

Speaking of recess appointments, guess whose is up in January...

Clinton for UN ambassador!
posted by eddydamascene at 6:59 PM on November 8, 2006

I'm sure a lot of his listeners were confused.

Ya sure they arn't already confused cats?
posted by rough ashlar at 7:10 PM on November 8, 2006

LOL

results of searching this thread:

Find: Dios

Not found
posted by unSane at 7:13 PM on November 8, 2006

A bad week.
posted by clevershark at 7:27 PM on November 8, 2006

Limberger Carries no more H20.

Celebrate!
posted by HyperBlue at 8:05 PM on November 8, 2006

Mehlman is gone by next week too
posted by amberglow at 8:21 PM on November 8, 2006

This is horrible news, I'm afraid we are going to here the phrase "Secertary Liberman" quite soon, and see the control of the senate pass back to the republicans.
posted by afu at 9:36 PM on November 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Looking for footage on Youtube, I stumbled across the McGovern question and response again.

What a fucking scumbucket. Good riddance.
posted by dreamsign at 12:51 AM on November 9, 2006

I'm afraid we are going to here the phrase "Secertary Liberman" quite soon, and see the control of the senate pass back to the republicans.

I keep hearing this, but I think this will never happen, for the following reasons:

1. Lieberman just got re-elected to another six year term in the Senate. Why would he give that up to be SecDef on a lame duck sinking ship for two years?
2. Lieberman, delusional megalomaniac that he is, could vote with the Administration 90% of the time, but he still considers himself a Democrat.
3. As such, Lieberman has a lot of fence mending to do in the party. I kept hearing the other night how Phony Joe might be tempted to stick it to his former colleagues, but I think his reputation is very damaged right now. And despite his solid tin ear, even he knows that he's not going to get much traction by going completely over the GOP, and particularly not to join the Bush Administration, which now seems to be detested in a bi-partisan manner.
posted by psmealey at 3:40 AM on November 9, 2006

CNN edited out the Mehlman outing
posted by amberglow at 12:57 PM on November 9, 2006

Mehlman to leave RNC.
posted by ericb at 2:28 PM on November 9, 2006

Real Time with Bill Maher should be interesting tomorrow night:"MAHER: "Frank Rich wrote about this a couple of weeks ago. He said, yes we've heard about Mark Foley...but he said, that's just the beginning of it. A lot of the chiefs of staff, the people who really run the underpinnings of the Republican party, are gay. I don't want to mention names but I will Friday night.

KING: You will Friday night?

MAHER: There's a couple people everybody in Washington knows, who run the Republican party

KING: You will name them?

MAHER: I wouldn't be the first. I'd get sued if I was the first, but...you know, Ken Mehlman, okay there's one I think people have talked about. I don't think he's denied it when people have suggested it. He doesn't say..."
posted by ericb at 2:32 PM on November 9, 2006

I just got a cease-and-desist letter from YouTube, see below, regarding my CNN footage I posted. The footage, you’ll recall, was from Larry King Live last night in which Bill Maher outed Republican Party chair Ken Mehlman as gay. It seems that CNN has suddenly decided that it no longer wants bloggers, or YouTube, posting any of its video, which is kind of surprising since I always thought we were doing a CNN a favor by constantly touting their network. Apparently I was wrong.

NOTE: You can still see the entire video on Huff Post.

CNN has also now edited the official transcript of Larry King Live, so that no one will ever know what really happened. ...
posted by amberglow at 4:15 PM on November 9, 2006

amberglow, the WorldNetDaily story linked in that Americablog post you linked is fantastic. They put quotation marks (scare quotes?) around every instance of the word GAY because it's way dumber than HOMOSEXUAL which they use without quotes. Oh man.
posted by rxrfrx at 4:46 PM on November 9, 2006

“OK, meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
posted by fixedgear

Actually, exactly what I was thinking. And operationally, the same. But it’s a heavy political statement, no matter what the protests by the POTUS, et.al.
I’m sorry, it’d be better with Rumsfeld?
posted by Smedleyman at 4:59 PM on November 9, 2006

Groups to Seek War Crimes Charges Against Rumsfeld
posted by homunculus at 5:23 PM on November 9, 2006

here's that wnd thing: RNC chairman a closet 'gay,' charges Bill Maher--HBO star plans to out other top homosexual Republicans

what's really weird is that HBO is part of AOL Time Warner -- just like CNN is.
posted by amberglow at 5:33 PM on November 9, 2006

Daily Show did Rummy tonight--very good

(and don't miss the space camp thing after--hysterical!)
posted by amberglow at 8:17 PM on November 9, 2006

Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse
posted by taosbat at 12:19 PM on November 10, 2006

taosbat : Charges Sought Against Rumsfeld Over Prison Abuse

You know you've fucked up when Germany is accusing you of war crimes.
posted by quin at 12:40 PM on November 10, 2006

...&, Time prints it.
posted by taosbat at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2006

Andrew Sullivan --

Rumsfeld's War Crimes

"We have news of the first attempted prosecution of the defense secretary for authorizing torture. You could see this coming. At least, I did, and Bush did. The case is coherent, as I pointed out last July. Rumsfeld had better not travel abroad for a very long while; or he could be arrested. Same goes for Gonzales and the other war criminals in this administration."

posted by ericb at 1:47 PM on November 10, 2006

Can you prosecute private citizens in The Hague tho? Even if they were part of an administration that committed and ordered the war crimes? Do they have subpoena power all over the Earth?
posted by amberglow at 3:34 PM on November 10, 2006

and as for Germany--they might say they have universal jurisdiction, but they realistically don't, i don't think.
posted by amberglow at 3:37 PM on November 10, 2006

amberglow : and as for Germany--they might say they have universal jurisdiction, but they realistically don't, i don't think.

Wasn't Henry Kissinger prevented from traveling abroad for fears that he would be arrested for war crimes? Perhaps Rumsfeld will find himself in a similar position.

Germany might not have universal jurisdiction, but I'd be willing to bet that if they find Rumsfeld guilty, and he goes on a speaking tour of europe, Interpol might be willing to cooperate in his apprehension.

[Of course, I'm dreaming here, but come on, tell me that wouldn't be great?]
posted by quin at 3:58 PM on November 10, 2006

Oh wow. That was my one thousandth comment. Which makes this one thousand and one.
posted by quin at 4:00 PM on November 10, 2006

but Kissinger is exactly the point--he never was prosecuted for anything, anywhere--not even here. Not being allowed to set foot in Germany is not like a warcrimes trial and conviction.

and congrats--big mouth like me : >
posted by amberglow at 4:05 PM on November 10, 2006

Oh, I agree. I would love to see that man behind bars, but since the likelihood on that happening is pretty slim, I could be marginally consoled by the fact that he was essentially exiled from Europe.

It's not much, but I like the idea that an entire continent rejected him. (This of course has me operating on the assumption that Interpol would play along and that Germany's economic partners would want to stay in her good graces.)

If nothing else it would be an interesting exercise of power to see how the US would react to having one of our staunchest allies (the European Union) stand against us. I mean, if they had Rumsfeld in custody, would we invade to get him back? And how badly would that go against us?

Since I really doubt anything will come of this, it's just an entertaining intellectual exercise to wonder what would happen.
posted by quin at 4:37 PM on November 10, 2006

I hope he decides to live at one of his other properties, like the one where he's neighbors with other war criminals back east.

I don't know what I'd do if I crossed paths with him at the grocery store or something...I don't see how it could end well.
posted by taosbat at 5:35 PM on November 10, 2006

... Somewhere, some country is going to want to arrest Donald Rumsfeld. International law practically compels it. Why not take him into custody now, here? ...

I think we need an arrest warrant for him here. Law enforcement should be taking them all into custody.
posted by amberglow at 8:51 PM on November 10, 2006

what an murderous piece of shit Rummy is: ... the military is ill-suited for imposing US will on violent extremists ...

yet he sent over 100,000 of our troops to Iraq, knowing that we would be facing violent extremists.
posted by amberglow at 9:02 PM on November 10, 2006

after Rummy, Cheney in a Box
posted by amberglow at 9:34 PM on November 10, 2006

The Jurist Contributing Editor Marjorie Cohn says he should and will be held accountable.
posted by owhydididoit at 9:53 PM on November 10, 2006

The :(
posted by owhydididoit at 9:54 PM on November 10, 2006

How is Germany going to get him? Kidnap him? Send German cops? Will they try him in absentia?
posted by amberglow at 6:49 AM on November 11, 2006

My guess, amberglow: if the suit is successful in kicking off a criminal investigation and prosecution, they'll end up demanding Rummy's presence in court and stand pat.

My hope: by that time, we will have rescinded the Military Commissions Act and our own investigations and prosecutions will be in full swing, rendering the German actions moot.
posted by taosbat at 8:34 AM on November 11, 2006

Bush Says Vote Didn't Change Commitment to Terror War
[...or Rumsfeld's resignation.]
posted by cenoxo at 8:42 AM on November 11, 2006

My guess is that they would have to try him in absentia. He strikes me as the kind of person that doesn't believe the laws of other countries apply to him. Nor do I really believe that the current administration would compel him to go (for much the same reason).

The hubris he has demonstrated in the past suggests to me that this is a man who doesn't believe that anyone would dare to arrest him, and I doubt he would ever expect the European Union to take a unilateral action against him.

So, in keeping with the theme of my hypothetical; he is tried and found guilty. A couple of months later he is invited to France to speak about his insights and experiences. When he lands he is taken into custody by Interpol and extradited back to Germany. The US is now placed into a position of having to decide to take action against our allies, or accept their decision; something that would, in essence, validate their claims of against us.
posted by quin at 9:32 AM on November 11, 2006

I don't think any European country would really do it, except the country that tried him, and i don't think they would bother doing it in absentia, knowing it would be toothless.
posted by amberglow at 6:50 PM on November 11, 2006

really good thing by Greenwald on the German court thing: ... There is a responsibility to assess those powers as a general principle -- not only when wielded by those whom one likes against those whom one dislikes, but to assess their potential for abuse and how they might be used by different governments towards different ends. ...

If we don't like Bush grabbing and assuming "unlimited power" all over the world and stuff, how can we be for Germany claiming unlimited jurisdiction all by itself, without any connection to Germany?
posted by amberglow at 4:24 PM on November 15, 2006

Hmmm, interesting point, amberglow...

So, it's either every nation for itself, any which Hobbesian way, or we agree upon a chosen seat of legal power among all nations, is it?
posted by taosbat at 6:24 PM on November 15, 2006

yup--and i say the ICC and/or UN are it--but we'd have to make membership mandatory like the UN is (maybe fold the ICC into the UN so that you can't opt out?)
posted by amberglow at 4:38 AM on November 16, 2006

oh, there is a German connection to Gitmo, but i don't know if he's part of their lawsuit.
posted by amberglow at 2:06 PM on November 16, 2006