Rumsfeld receives support from influential senators of both parties

Democrats were Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan and Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware.

<snip>

Eyebrows also rose in the nation's capital last week when one of the influential neo-conservative intellectuals who had championed the war in Iraq - William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard - penned an essay calling for Rumsfeld's head.

If Senate committee chairmen with the stature of Warner and Lugar had joined those calls, the political winds might have been too strong even for President Bush to resist much longer. But Warner and Lugar held the line, as had Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and his top deputies in statements issued Friday.

"We should not at this point in time entertain any idea of changing those responsibilities in the Pentagon," Warner said.

"We really can't go through that ordeal now," Lugar said, contending that it would be too "disruptive" to change leaders at the Pentagon now. Rumsfeld "should be held accountable and he should stay in office."

Levin said that while he is a Rumsfeld critic, replacing him would make no significant difference so long as any defense secretary executes President Bush's policies. That's what needs changing, Levin said, emphasizing a need to get other nations to help with Iraq.

Biden faulted Rumsfeld for arrogance in refusing to acknowledge mistakes in Iraq, but he did not call for him to resign

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/politics/10455344.htm

not calling for his resignation means they support him?

Hagel, McCain, & Collins are against him, & the Dems are for him?

Kerry called on him to resign during the campaign. I'm curious who else is saying so right now.

(shocking) on CNN.

They said it doesn't matter if Rumsfeld goes or not if the policy stays the same.

The problem is at the top - Bush. Getting ride of Rumsfeld but continuing the same policies is LIKE REARRANGING THE DECK CHAIRS ON THE TITANIC.

Do we ever give these guys a break? geez.

Yesterday, people (including me) commented that we need to blame Bush for the lack of armor, etc. No deflection to Rummy.

Well, today they did exactly that.

:eyes:

Bush needs replacing. Replacing Rumsfield will change nothing if Bush's policies don't change. They have been very consistent that the real fault for Iraq execution is Bush and his policies.

Levin and Biden know exactly where the blame lies. The whole system is bankrupt not just Rumsfield. I'd like a candidate in 2008 who can connect the dots to the real source of problems.

If Biden thought Bush messed up that bad, why is he egging that idiot chimp into a confrontation with Putin? The entire letter is a disgrace.

http://www.newamericancentury.org/russia-20040928.htm

By whom, Sen. Lugar?? Your party is firmly in power. When do you plan to begin?

Just last Sunday, Biden said "I have been calling for Rumsfield's resignation for a year and a half now". Stinking, stupid media. And Levin looked totally disgusted on Timmy's show this morning. Geez! Damn frickin' liberal media.

so called liberal media world, they are going to keep being misrepresented.

Yes they did not give support but by their non-committal statements on resignation, they effectively said keep Rumsfeld, thus giving the so called liberal media license to say they support keeping Rumsfeld.

edit: You know the GOP senators didn't go on that stage without talking points given to them by BushCo. It doesn't appear the Democrats had their talking points coordinated.

Levin has made it very clear the he considers the blame for the execution of the war in Iraq to lie with Bush and that Rumsfield is no more or less than the hand of Bush. Therefore changing Rumsfield does not solve the problem. The president is the one who needs changed. I assume that is Biden's position as well.

Sometimes deliberate, and sometimes just because they're so damn stupid.

What self-respecting Dem would go waaaaaayyyyy out on a limb for wee Donny Rummy now? Biden may not be one of my faves, but he has not been recently in the choir that sings rumsfailed's praises.

or charged with war crimes...or outted as the incompetent piece of shit that he is...

Wish my mom had been that lax...

I think that is what Levin is saying. Biden, on the other hand.....

Edited to add that I do recall Biden calling for Rumsfeld to resign long ago, and on many occasions.

It's all about timing. It is too early for this in the Congress. Wait until elections then Rove will let Rummy have a nice send off and "hero's" medals.