Debate Over Rumsfeld's Future Grows

Military And Political Leaders Jump On The Issue From Both Sides

(CBS/AP) 
President Bush on Friday brushed aside intense debate among retired military commanders for Rumsfeld's resignation, saying his defense secretary enjoys his full support.

"Secretary Rumsfeld's energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period," Mr. Bush said in a written statement.

Sen. Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Mr. Bush is making "a good call" in retaining Rumsfeld. Facing a large agenda of foreign-policy issues, the president should not be distracted by operational disputes, said Lugar, R-Ind.

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., who called for Rumsfeld to resign two years ago, said Sunday the issue now is about "the president's decision-making and judgment."

Mr. Bush's inability to put more important concerns ahead of keeping Rumsfeld as defense secretary "is not healthy for our country," Bayh said in a joint appearance with Lugar on ABC's "This Week."

Political leaders and military commanders have a history of disagreeing over tactics. Abraham Lincoln argued with his generals, as did Truman and MacArthur during Korea. And during the Vietnam war, generals were unhappy when bombing targets were decided by White House civilians, reports CBS News White House correspondent Jim Axelrod.

"He went to war with a flawed plan. He didn't account for the hard work to build the peace after we took down the regime," retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who served as an infantry division commander in Iraq for 2½ years until last November, said Friday on CBS News' The Early Show.

"We also served under a secretary of defense who didn't understand leadership, who was abusive, who was arrogant, who didn't build a strong team," Batiste added.

Batiste is one of six former commanders who served under Rumsfeld who now say he should be dismissed. The defense secretary has become a lightning rod for criticism of the way the war in Iraq has been run, reports CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante.

In an interview aired Friday on Al-Arabiya television, Rumsfeld said he intends to serve the president at his pleasure.

"The fact that two or three or four retired people have different views, I respect their views," Rumsfeld said. "But obviously if, 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."

Also calling for Rumsfeld to resign were retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs, retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold.