Rumsfeld stepping down..

[freeny]

CNN confirms...

In the words of Spongebob Squarepants- "Its the best day ever!"

[Peace]

One down...a few more to go :D

[jelloshotsrule]

when it rains it pours...

[IJ Reilly]

Source please? I am not finding this news anywhere.

[iGary]

Thank God.

This has been a nice 24 hours. :)

Source please? I am not finding this news anywhere.

www.cnn.com

[zimv20]

Source please? I am not finding this news anywhere.
cnn.com has it as one of their red banners.

i'm assuming he wants to pre-empt investigations forcing him to resign.

[IJ Reilly]

www.cnn.com

All I see is a link to a live video feed which you have to pay to watch. No actual story.

[freeny]

All I see is a link to a live video feed which you have to pay to watch. No actual story.

Its on the TV. give the website a few minutes. One can only write so fast....

[jelloshotsrule]

All I see is a link to a live video feed which you have to pay to watch. No actual story.

there is none yet. it's just breaking news, a la britney filing for divorce yesterday! ;)

[balamw]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061108/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/rumsfeld_resigns_4

Nothing official, but the AP has the story too.

B

[freeny]

The banner was there a second ago and now its gone. Bush speaking now...

He started with a joke and no one laughed. Except for me of course;)

[Queso]

Try CNN again. It's now the headlline story.

Oh yes. Jumping or pushed? I'm thinking the first blame game victim just got his marching orders :D

[freeny]

Its official. just heard it from Bush's own mouth.

[Peace]

Bush just announced that Rumsfield is stepping down.

[amateurmacfreak]

I'm pretty pumped.

The future looks a... little bit brighter. I'm pretty excited. I'm actually semi-excited and optimistic about the future for the first time in a really long time.

Actually, no, b/c TN, when I live passed an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman 81/19. :(

:o So maybe I'll just kind of be hopeful-ish. I think my state is my least favorite state right now. That's why I'll hopefully be out of Nashville for good, never coming back, when I go to college in 5 years. :cool:


He started with a joke and no one laughed. Except for me of course;)

Yes. I loved that! Glad I'm home sick today. I'm the first to know of annny of my classmates. :D No that they'd care much. :o I seem to have a knack to be sick on elections. Well for Kerry "sick" was crying and sick to my stomache with disappointment. This time I'm... actually sick. :eek:

[freeny]

Bush seems really grumpy...

[IJ Reilly]

Try CNN again. It's now the headlline story.

Oh yes. Jumping or pushed? I'm thinking the first blame game victim just got his marching orders :D

Not when I checked. But anyway it appears to be true. Pushed, I'm sure. The timing having as much as anything else to do with burying the story as deeply as possible.

Edit: Oh yeah: Ding, dong the witch is dead...

[beatsme]

W is on the tube right now, mumbling his way through the prepared text. He just said that Rumsfeld is stepping down, and that Robert Gates is taking his place.

actually, it's a pretty smart play. The buzz today was certainly going to be about the turnover in the House. By replacing Rumsfeld (something that had been in the cards anyway), the White House has recaptured the news cycle and re-focused the debate on the national security.

EDIT: seconds ago, Bush said "I thought we were going to do fine yesterday. Shows what I know." hehehe...exactly.

[Warbrain]

Who thinks they'll push this nomination through as fast as possible so that it occurs before the Democrats gain whatever power they might in the Senate? I mean, 50-50 in the Senate would **** up his chances...

[mkrishnan]

Good riddance to bad rubbish...erm...I mean Rumsfeld...erm...I mean...erm.... don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

[OutThere]

A good day indeed.

[amateurmacfreak]

Bush seems really grumpy...

Yep. He seems really irritable. And I audibly laughed when he got bleeped out. :D There was only one part of this election that was a disappointment to me. (Tennessee and the other states that banned same-sex marriage)

[miloblithe]

As much as I think this can't be a bad thing, I also think this is good strategy for the Republicans. I think they are going to do everything in their power to hand the reigns of Iraq off to the Democrats, so that when everything gets much much worse, it's somehow the Democrats fault.

[freeny]

Bush will throw a tantrum in 3...2... oops! beat me to it!

[eva01]

YAY I wonder what other trash is finally on the way out

[BoyBach]

Hopefully this is the first of many 'wanting out' before the Democrat's can initiate any investigations into the Iraq war or Hurricane Katrina.

[IJ Reilly]

And I audibly laughed when he got bleeped out.

Huh? Please explain!

[Peace]

Hopefully this is the first of many 'wanting out' before the Democrat's can initiate any investigations into the Iraq war or Hurricane Katrina.

You just hit the nail on the head!!

[FleurDuMal]

EDIT: seconds ago, Bush said "I thought we were going to do fine yesterday. Shows what I know." hehehe...exactly.

Unfortunately, that's the same kind of vision he demonstrated when formulating policy on Iraq :(

[freeny]

Huh? Please explain!

I think he was referring to the absolute silence after Bush tried a lite hearted joke.
correct me if im wrong amateurmacfreak...

[Warbrain]

Unfortunately, that's the same kind of vision he demonstrated when formulating policy on Iraq :(

Oh, the wonders of being ignorant...

Ignorance is bliss. At least Bush is happy with himself most of the time then. I'm not happy with him, but at least the Democrats will be able to get at him now.

[vniow]

Wow. Just ****ing wow.

[eva01]

bush sounds just as much as an idiot as ever.

stuttering, not knowing what the hell he i saying. Saying priority over and over again.

gah now i know why i have never watched a presidential news conference in almost the past decade

[beatsme]

Who thinks they'll push this nomination through as fast as possible so that it occurs before the Democrats gain whatever power they might in the Senate? I mean, 50-50 in the Senate would **** up his chances...

seems like a good idea, though I wonder how the new Congress i.e. House & Senate would react to something like that. If they view it as a bad faith move on the part of the White House (denying them their chance to have a say in the confirmation process), they could make things difficult for the administration over the next 2 years. Which they're sure to do anyway...hmmm....

on another note, The Daily Show is an absolute must see tonight, isn't it? :D

[freeny]

on another note, The Daily Show is an absolute must see tonight, isn't it? :D

Good point. ill be sure to watch.

On a side note, CNN has checked off one more victory for the dems in the Senate race. 50-49

[clevin]

this is good, it does take a election for Bush to realize somethin, now Dems holding both House and Senate....

[leekohler]

Cool- I feel so much better today. Things look positive and I feel like we may be on the way to getting our country back. Goodbye Neocons- you been told! :)

[Peace]

seems like a good idea, though I wonder how the new Congress i.e. House & Senate would react to something like that. If they view it as a bad faith move on the part of the White House (denying them their chance to have a say in the confirmation process), they could make things difficult for the administration over the next 2 years. Which they're sure to do anyway...hmmm....

on another note, The Daily Show is an absolute must see tonight, isn't it? :D

Good point. ill be sure to watch.

Not only that but Stephen Colbert will personally take credit for the election but won't like it ;)

[scem0]

The white house is getting a colonic apparently :).

e

[zimv20]

this is the humblest i've ever seen bush. i think it's a good sign.

[freeny]

this is the humblest i've ever seen bush. i think it's a good sign.

He doesnt have a choice.

[Warbrain]

Good point. ill be sure to watch.

On a side note, CNN has checked off one more victory for the dems in the Senate race. 50-49

Awesome. The Virginia race will be interesting to watch as the candidates battle out over the votes now. But it appears that we will have a Democrat majority in both the House and the Senate. That's amazing. Going to be interesting for two years, folks...

[Peace]

this is the humblest i've ever seen bush. i think it's a good sign.

Humble??

thats one way of putting it I guess..

I see a man backed into the corner and screaming out for help.

[Counterfit]

bush sounds just as much as an idiot as ever.

stuttering, not knowing what the hell he i saying. Saying priority over and over again.

As I said in the MIDI lab here at school: "He must be getting dizzy with all the stuff he's spinning around him."

[balamw]

But it appears that we will have a Democrat majority in both the House and the Senate.
Minor point, but it's actually 49 Ds 49 Rs and 2 Is in the best case scenario (48,50,2 worst case) for the Ds although Lieberman and Sanders are much closer to the Dems on most issues.

B

[Veritas&Equitas]

This has been the greatest day in a LONG TIME!

Winning both House & Senate, Rumsfield stepping down, Republicans crying, running with their tails between their legs; not one Democratic incumbent lost! Are you serious?! Hell yes!

[Warbrain]

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

Yes, because some idiot who headed the CIA is going to run the DoD in a proper manner. Creeps me out that the man ran the CIA. Makes me worry a bit.

[freeny]

Yes, because some idiot who headed the CIA is going to run the DoD in a proper manner. Creeps me out that the man ran the CIA. Makes me worry a bit.

Nothing is perfect. Just let us all enjoy our afterglow a bit, kay?:D

[atszyman]

Minor point, but it's actually 49 Ds 49 Rs and 2 Is in the best case scenario (48,50,2 worst case) for the Ds although Lieberman and Sanders are much closer to the Dems on most issues.

B

We're now sitting on 48, 49, 2, with only VA left to report and it appears to be going Webb's way. So even if the 49/49/2 split becomes an issue I'd give it about 1 hour of being an issue before Lieberman has a (D) behind his name again.

I'm just waiting for Cheney to start having "health issues." With Pelosi third in line if investigations start to lead anywhere they'll replace Cheney in a heartbeat (or with a heartbeat) to keep the White House. Cheney stepping down will be much more plausible the sooner they start talking of his health problems. Of course he could always shoot another hunting buddy too....:D

[xsedrinam]

Nothing is perfect. Just let us all enjoy our afterglow a bit, kay?:D
Have there been any suggestions where Rummy could be dropped off for vacation, yet? That'd be one, small step for a man......

[balamw]

Have there been any suggestions where Rummy could be dropped off for vacation, yet? That'd be one, small step for a man......
You should tinge the planet red, Bush said he wanted to send a man to Mars right?

Plus, it would go well with the current "theme" around here.

B

[Thomas Veil]

Former CIA chief Robert Gates...will be nominated to take over as defense secretary....

Gates is now president of Texas A&M....De-fense! (Boom boom!) De-fense! (Boom boom!)

[Stop that, it's gotten silly. It started out as a nice, clean thread, but now it's just gone silly.]

Rummy's resignation is good news, but it should've happened two years ago, when he first offered it to Bush.

[jelloshotsrule]

Bush seems really grumpy...

i didn't get that vibe. i got the feeling he knew his (free) reign of terror is over and was getting back to what got him elected originally.... talking up his bipartisanship, making jokes (being a likeable dude), etc... i didn't vomit listening to him, which in itself is a sign he was in rare form. hah

[Warbrain]

We're now sitting on 48, 49, 2, with only VA left to report and it appears to be going Webb's way. So even if the 49/49/2 split becomes an issue I'd give it about 1 hour of being an issue before Lieberman has a (D) behind his name again.

I'm just waiting for Cheney to start having "health issues." With Pelosi third in line if investigations start to lead anywhere they'll replace Cheney in a heartbeat (or with a heartbeat) to keep the White House. Cheney stepping down will be much more plausible the sooner they start talking of his health problems. Of course he could always shoot another hunting buddy too....:D

Yea, Lieberman will be voting as a Democrat, so there's no reason to worry. 50/49/1 and that 1 independent will be voting more like a liberal, so it's 51-49.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Good news indeed, pretty amazing that Bush can even utter the word bipartison after his record of alienating half of congress and half this nation for his Iraq war dirty bastard. Wish there was a way to throw him and his whole cabinet into Iraq for a year. Im very glad indeed that the American people have started to figure it out but it sure took a long time.

[freeny]

i didn't get that vibe. i got the feeling he knew his (free) reign of terror is over and was getting back to what got him elected originally.... talking up his bipartisanship, making jokes (being a likeable dude), etc... i didn't vomit listening to him, which in itself is a sign he was in rare form. hah

He did seem a bit releaved as time moved on.

I think his administration was running on "stay the course" cause it had been working for them up till now and they didnt know what else to do.

Perhaps he is finally glad its all over and he can stop "thinking" so much;)

A tiny part of me twitches and feels a bit sorry for him now. No wait, that was just a mosquito bite, sorry.:o

[Ugg]

Good news indeed, pretty amazing that Bush can even utter the word bipartison after his record of alienating half of congress and half this nation for his Iraq war dirty bastard. Wish there was a way to throw him and his whole cabinet into Iraq for a year. Im very glad indeed that the American people have started to figure it out but it sure took a long time.

Yeah, a little humble pie will be good for him, even if he's not sincere.

I wonder what Rove is up to now? His tantrum is probably shaking the whole White House.

[Peace]

Yeah, a little humble pie will be good for him, even if he's not sincere.

I wonder what Rove is up to now? His tantrum is probably shaking the whole White House.

He's conferring with Steve Ballmer on what to do next.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Draft Dodger Karl Rove, I say we should send every single draft dodger that voted for this Iraq war to Iraq to fix it since they are the ones who put America in there for the lies of WMD's. Then after Bush,Cheney,Hastert,Delay,Libbey,Rove,Frists, and a few other fix that mess then send them into Afghanistan to catch the tallest man in the country named Bin Laden. Bush just keeps spinning 911 + Iraq. Iraq had nothing to do with 911 yet this guy just keeps spinning the two. Rumsfeld helped to arm Saddam for christs sakes. These Neocons suck to high heaven. Ill be laughing my Butt off if the democrats run both houses in Congress. That will teach the war mongers.

[Frisco]

For the 1st time in a long time I feel optimistic again.

It's a beautiful day, although it's pouring here in the Northeast ;)

[XNine]

At least this will give us some hope into ending Operation **** Iraq and provide an avenue with the newly elected democrats in which civil rights (mainly, gay marriage) will be supported.

Now we just need a dem for the next president and I think we'll be on a good road to recovery.

[it5five]

Yea, Lieberman will be voting as a Democrat, so there's no reason to worry. 50/49/1 and that 1 independent will be voting more like a liberal, so it's 51-49.


Just to make something clear, Sanders won't be voting "more like a liberal", he will be voting completely liberal, he's a socialist.

I couldn't believe it when I heard Rumsfeld quit. I didn't think I could get any happier after last night.

[xsedrinam]

Just to make something clear, Sanders won't be voting "more like a liberal", he will be voting completely liberal, he's a socialist.

I couldn't believe it when I heard Rumsfeld quit. I didn't think I could get any happier after last night.
And he quotes none other than Winston Churchill in his farewell speech, alluding to being the better the result of critcism. It brings to mind another Churchill quote: "The Americans will always do the right thing . . . after they've exhausted all the alternatives."

[yg17]

President Bush says "America is safer and the world more secure" because of Donald Rumsfeld's leadership.


what the **** has he been smoking?

[Blue Velvet]

I guess the known unknowns are now known knowns.

[Benjamin]

from boingboing.net (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/11/08/rumsfeld_resignation.html)

[KingYaba]

Pretty clever.

[XNine]

from boingboing.net (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/11/08/rumsfeld_resignation.html)

Thanks for the new avatar. lmfao

[solvs]

I think my state is my least favorite state right now.
You're in TN? I'm so sorry. ;) Kidding.

Kinda.

Who thinks they'll push this nomination through as fast as possible so that it occurs before the Democrats gain whatever power they might in the Senate? I mean, 50-50 in the Senate would **** up his chances...
I don't think they'll have time. He's the Dems guy though, so he'll probably be confirmed. Well, Baker's guy, but he agrees with the Dems on some things that should be done differently, and after a series of very tough questions (hopefully), if he doesn't suck, they'll put him through. Then they can look tough and bipartisan at the same time.

Did anybody but Bush actually like Rummie? His ratings in the polls were usually below even Cheneys, if I recall. I think we're all thinking the same thing, that he quit because he knew what was coming and that if he didn't he'd just be fired.

Or worse.

[atszyman]

I'm hoping he was "strongly encouraged" to step down and holds some bitter feelings towards the administration. His tell-all book could be a good read and should have a lot of interesting revelations.

[xsedrinam]

Former U.S. Assisant Defense Secretary, Ken Adelman who served under Rumsfeld, blames the British (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/09112006/344/britain-tough-enough.html) for not being tough enough to stand up to Bush and a doomed policy. Talk about passing the Pound.

[Queso]

Former U.S. Assisant Defense Secretary, Ken Adelman who served under Rumsfeld, blames the British (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/09112006/344/britain-tough-enough.html) for not being tough enough to stand up to Bush and a doomed policy. Talk about passing the Pound.
I fully agree. If Bush and Rumsfeld had tried this on Thatcher's watch she would have sent them packing with their tails between their legs. I hated the old bag, but she certainly would never have told the British ambassador to the US to "get up the arse of the White House" like Bliar did.

[Don't panic]

I'm hoping he was "strongly encouraged" to step down and holds some bitter feelings towards the administration. His tell-all book could be a good read and should have a lot of interesting revelations.

i doubt, the max damage he could do, would be to himself.

[atszyman]

i doubt, the max damage he could do, would be to himself.

I beg to differ. He's retired now. He's been painted as a scapegoat. He'll never be appointed to another post. Yes he'd have to eat some crow and admit he made many idiotic mistakes but he was in on some of the intimate decision making. With Bush and the rest still in office, if disgruntled, I'm sure he could reveal a lot that could push Bush's approval rating even lower.

What does he care? It's not like the public opinion of him matters. And if it were damning enough book profits should make up for any idiocy he has to admit to.

[Thomas Veil]

I don't know where he got his info, but Keith Olbermann is suggesting that Big Dick Cheney tried to convince Bush to keep Rummy, but Bush overruled him. Supposedly Cheney was highly displeased that his boss went against his advice.

Sorry, no link. It was on "Countdown" tonight (Thursday 11/9). Maybe the transcript will be up sometime tomorrow.

Interesting twist, if it's true and not just speculation.

[yg17]

I don't know where he got his info, but Keith Olbermann is suggesting that Big Dick Cheney tried to convince Bush to keep Rummy, but Bush overruled him. Supposedly Cheney was highly displeased that his boss went against his advice.

Sorry, no link. It was on "Countdown" tonight (Thursday 11/9). Maybe the transcript will be up sometime tomorrow.

Interesting twist, if it's true and not just speculation.

I saw that on Countdown as well and it kinda surprised me. Plus, Keith made a good point...a week ago, Bush said that Rummy was here to stay. I think Keith said that today, Bush said that face shooter was here to stay, and well, we know what happened last time Bush said someone was here to stay.

Could it be that Cheney is going to resign, but they're keeping him in while Bush passes his last-minute bullcrap through the lame duck session of congress so Cheney could be the tiebreaking vote in the senate if needed?

[mkrishnan]

from boingboing.net (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/11/08/rumsfeld_resignation.html)

Where is the secure delete option? I guess for now removing him from the dock is a good start! :)

[atszyman]

Could it be that Cheney is going to resign, but they're keeping him in while Bush passes his last-minute bullcrap through the lame duck session of congress so Cheney could be the tiebreaking vote in the senate if needed?

I doubt that would be reason enough to keep Cheney. The election managed to show the GOP that the American people are not satisfied. Only 1/3 of the Senate was up for election this year with another 1/3 up in 2 years. For the 1/3 up in 2 years, if they want to keep their jobs, passing last minute ************ through before the Senate changes hands will not help them. In fact even some of the defeated Senators probably wouldn't stand for it if they have any plans of running for office again. Bush would need more than a single tie breaker vote to get anything through that wouldn't make it through the next Congress.

The interesting question to me is who do you get to replace Cheney when he resigns? Do you put your next Presidential candidate in the VP office (McCain, Giulliani)? or do you pick someone else so the next GOP Presidential candidate can distance themselves from Bush? I actually expected Cheney to resign in the next two years but I figured his "health would deteriorate" right around the time some oversight hearings started seeing some evidence of everything the administration has done. The pissed about Rummy rumor would give him a more plausible resigning excuse and wouldn't be as strong of an indicator that this administration has outright broken the law in a "High crimes and misdemeanors" way. If investigations were going on and Cheney stepped down then it would make sense so they could get a VP who would not be the target of any investigations/hearings so they could prevent "President Pelosi."

[skunk]

Where is the secure delete option? I guess for now removing him from the dock is a good start! :)I think he should stay in the dock to answer charges.

[IJ Reilly]

If you didn't catch it, here's Jon Stewart's fond farewell to Big Don:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4FFY3PLvPo

[mkrishnan]

I think he should stay in the dock to answer charges.

Is there a "Send to the Gulag" option?

EDIT: I just watched that YouTube clip -- thank you! That was long but it was excellent!

[Dont Hurt Me]

If you didn't catch it, here's Jon Stewart's fond farewell to Big Don:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4FFY3PLvPoI saw it and it was a hoot, as far as Dick Cheney goes what do you expect from a draft dodger who shoots his buddies face off? He's a Dick and and a Ahole all wrapped up into one sorry powermonger. Bush should have stopped listening to him 6 years ago.

[IJ Reilly]

I saw it and it was a hoot, as far as Dick Cheney goes what do you expect from a draft dodger who shoots his buddies face off? He's a Dick and and a Ahole all wrapped up into one sorry powermonger. Bush should have stopped listening to him 6 years ago.

If you ask me, Jon is going to miss Don.

[Sayhey]

If you didn't catch it, here's Jon Stewart's fond farewell to Big Don:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4FFY3PLvPo

Thank you, IJ. I almost spit up my lunch watching that clip. I'll never listen to Don McLean's Vincent in the same way again.