Rep. Shays Asks For Rumsfeld To Resign

Call Comes As Conn. GOP Lawmaker Faces Increasingly Tight Race With Anti-War Challenger

(AP)  Rep. Chris Shays, who is facing a tough challenge from an anti-war Democrat, on Wednesday called for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to resign — a rare demand from a longtime Republican.

The Connecticut lawmaker also accused officials at the Defense Department of withholding information about the Iraq war from Congress.

“I am losing faith in how we are fighting this war,” Shays, a longtime supporter of the conflict, said in an interview. “I believe we have to motivate the Iraqis to do more.”

Shays, who was elected in 1987, said defense officials stopped cooperating with his congressional subcommittee after Shays proposed setting a timeline for troop withdrawals. Shays, who had previously opposed such a timeline, offered the plan in August following his 14th trip to Iraq since the war began.

Rumsfeld “simply is refusing to cooperate with a committee that oversees the Department of Defense,” Shays said. “To me he has crossed the line.”

“I think Donald Rumsfeld needs to step down,” said Shays, who is chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, emerging threats and international relations.

The Pentagon had no comment and referred to Rumsfeld's recent remarks. Asked on a flight to Nicaragua earlier this week whether he would resign, Rumsfeld responded, “No, no, no.” He said he had spoken to President Bush and he had voiced his support.

Several congressional Democrats have clamored for Rumsfeld's resignation, but it's rare for a lawmaker in President Bush's political party to argue that the Pentagon chief should step down. Republican candidate Tom Kean Jr., who is seeking a Senate seat in New Jersey, also has called for Rumsfeld's resignation.

Shays is a moderate Republican who has voted against the party rank-and-file on a number of issues, including the environment. He also supports abortion rights and gun control.

Frustration among some in the GOP with the administration's handling of the war is not limited to Congress. During an appearance in Minnesota on Tuesday, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “stay the course isn't a good enough answer, because to stay the course you have to have a finish line.”

Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., who has Camp Lejune in his district, said he has repeatedly called for Rumsfeld to resign.

“I have felt this way for quite a while. . . . He reminds me so much of (Defense Secretary Robert) McNamara in the Vietnam War. He is arrogant and will not admit a mistake.”

Shays is in one of the most competitive House races this year and his comments come just five weeks before the midterm elections. His opponent, Democrat Diane Farrell, has opposed the war and advocates an exit strategy for U.S. troops. Farrell lost to Shays by 4 percentage points two years ago.

Farrell's campaign pointed out that she has been calling for Rumsfeld's resignation for months and said this is just the latest change in Shays' position.

“He has supported the war from Day One,” said Farrell campaign spokeswoman Jan Spiegel. “He has voted to give the president a blank check.”

[ozonmojo]

To me it is Shays who crossed the line,even if he is not aware of where it is because of the election fever.The resignation of Rumsfeld will be the second biggest victory of the terrorists against America after the 9/11 attack.

[djean102]

You are in the ozone ... please stop drinking the right wing kool aid and get some reliable news.... not Fox and not Limbaugh or O'Reilly. Our troops are in the middle of a civil war and Al Queda is winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi's, while this regime gives single source contracts to all their buddies, and we pay billions of dollars for the privilege. Follow the money. If Rummy is forced to resign perhaps a more competent replacement might make some headway... you know... someone with an actual plan besides 'staying the course' rhetoric.

[tom_gwynn]

I agree. When you find yourself hip deep in sewage, the first thing to do is fire the man who led you into the sewer to begin with. Rumsfeld is the person who is most responsible for the messes we are currently facing in Iraq and Afganistan. Yes, even before Bush, though he comes a close second. Bush followed Rumsfeld's advice, and Rummy was so intent on proving his "faster lighter more agile" and "shock and awe" theories of warfare that he ignored the advice of men who actually knew what they were talking about, men like Powell and Shinseki. He forced the first man aside, and the second man out, and thousands of our troops have paid the ultimate price for his stupidity. New thinking is required, and if Rumsfeld had an ethical bone in his body he would admit his mistakes and step aside. Since he won't, patriotic citizens should make it their duty to shame him into doing so.

[sharncedar]

Rumsfeld didn't start this war. He is tool, a stupid arrogant tool and a traitor, but just a tool. A lot of industrial moguls were behind this war.

This isn't the end of Americans dying for the corporations, it's the beginning.

I believe personally that we will prevail. The human spirit will rise again. We cannot fail.

[jopocop]

This is a no brainer. Of course Rumsfeld should go. Actually, he needed to go a long time ago. Do you see anyone really, really wanting him to stay, except Bush and Cheney. Looks like the generals mostly want fresh starts and blood to work with. Rumsfeld should do what many do, by saying: "I wish to have family time with my kids and wife, etc., etc". How many mistakes and failures does Bush and Cheney tolerate or condone before they finally kick butt and fire people that are not succeeding and make so many mistakes. Fire him, then, start either winning the war now, or bail out, but do not let this linger on and on with stay the course, It is disgraceful.

[sharncedar]

"This isn't the end of Americans dying for the corporations, it's the beginning."

Quite possible in 20 odd years Iraq will look like the good times. There is plenty more "irrational exhuberance" to be bloodlet from America. We must be humbled to the level of the poorest nations, so says the consensus of industry.

What do the architects of war care about Rumsfeld the man? As little as they care about the Americans dying every day, and the countless scores more to die as their master plan unfolds. They will throw him to the wolves when he has out-lived his usefulness.

[getcentered]

What the hell are we doing?! I can't take it!

Rumsfeld out! GOP out! Republicans OUT!

We are Americans. Americans are dying in a place we should not be.

How did we come to have this HUGE problem called IRAQ?

A member of my family is an officer in the Marines, and wants to know. He is in danger.

What can we tell him? It's too late? That he might die like the rest of the 2700+ US Service men and women because President Bush, "made a mistake"? Is that supposed to raise his moral?

This is the problem.
We will fight a war FOREVER, if we don't believe WHY we're doing it is right and worthy.

We NEED leaders who CAN keep us safe. Leaders who will not cook up reasons for us to die.

Please, get centered, vote.

"Amongst you whoever is without sin cast the first stone" -Gandhi

[kcartwright-2009]

In my estimation,
Prepare now.
Due to an attack in major cities, there probably wont be another election in th US.
Martial Law is the only way to stop the next election.
The ones in power are not going to let it go.
The ones receiving the stream of revenue from people being killed in Iraq are not going to let it go.
The attack happens, martial law is in place, all evidence of who was behind it is gone, the current power structure stays in place for many many years.

[turnthepage1]

This is the best example that I have ever seen of Group Think! Shall we all walk blindlly off the cliff together? Let us not forget Gen. Eisenhower's famous speech about the war machine.

Shays is only looking for his political survival. If other GOPers were running this tight maybe they would have the gonads to speak for the people as well. Let us not forget McManara and his recent omission that we were wrong in VN since he is a little closer to his dirt nap and wants to come clean before he reaches the pearly gates.

We need a ten year plan and goal of energy independance from foreign oil... A "Kennedyesque" like plan to be self relient in ten years. We create our own monsters who hit back at us twenty years later. Recall the pic. of Rummie shaking Sadam's hand?

We're in a sad state of affairs. If Bush could get ABL, he would be up ten points and have a chance for his party. Sorry for your luck. You cut and ran in Afganistan!

[ellygumera]

Pres. Bush promised the American people over and over again that he will listen to the advise of his Military Commanders regarding the war in Iraq.

Indeed, US Military commanders have spoken over and over again that Sec. Rumsfield needs to go! Looks like Pres. Bush is not listening at all to his Military Commanders!

Mr. President - don't you think its about time you should live up to your promises, by replacing Sec. Rumsfield with a much qualified War Secretary!

[adventurepa]

The funny thing is if they do fire Rumsfeld the republicans might actually have a chance in this upcomming election.
So don't give them any ideas. Let them get voted out of office.
What the Dems really need is a true plan to get us out of Iraq.
A real plan to stop our addiction to foregn oil.
A real plan to aid America.
That plan starts with no more foreign money.
Using the oceans wave action to generate electric power. (Never going to run out of waves)
And forcing corporations to give back to America.
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what the corporations can do for America."
Because it's about time!
Legalize hemp and pot up to an ounce and use the revenue to pay for a tax break for all Americans.
That would be my platform.
Because it works.

[stevyz1]

FIRST FIRE RUMSFELD
VOTE DEMACRAT IN MIDTERM ELECTIONS
IMPEACH /BUSH CHENEY FROM OFFICE
MAJORITY SPEAKER BECOMES NEW PRESIDENT(NANCY PELOSI)
THEN....START TO REVERSE ALL THE DESTRUCTION TO THIS COUNTRY AND ITS CORE VALUES DESTROYED BY THIS INCOMPETENT ADMINISTRATION

[godfather052]

A drowning man will grab for anything. Shay has supported this administration and their corrupt policies for over 5 years and now that he is about to lose his election he is doing a 360 degree turn around. Nothing has changed except that Republicans will say or do anything to hold on to power. They will do this because if the Democrats gain control all of their corrupt dealings will be investigated and exposed. America need to know so go to the polls.

[sharncedar]

"THEN....START TO REVERSE ALL THE DESTRUCTION TO THIS COUNTRY"

Yeah, Nancy Pelosi will do that. That's why she voted for the Iraq war. That's why she voted for MFN status for China, and NAFTA and open borders to ruin our country. That's why she takes huge donations from the biggest corporations, cuz she's such a good American, a real honest person we can trust

[diverinnl]

Rumsfeld did not invade Iraq on his own. Congress voted on and approved the invasion, inluding many leading Democrats. When you vote, look closely at your own representation in your district before throwing stones.
I'm not saying that Rumsfeld is blameless but the issue is deeper than the article would lead you to believe.

[mjv2944]

Just another political hack who is running scared, as he should be. They have led us up that famous creek without a paddle. VOTE ALL INCUMBENTS OUT!!! They are all crooks.

[ender18-2009]

Rumsfeld helped coordinate this short sighted war effort without thinking of a viable exit strategy or a way to keep peace. He did not even have the decency to personally sign letters to dead soldier's families. He also likely authorized the torture of prisoners of war. I am embarassed by him and this piece of s**t administration.

[stevex47]

Democrats who voted for the war are only guilty of listening to what we know now were lies by Colin Powell and this administration. As these lies come out, of course they are going to re-think strategies, unlike the lie-tellers. Shame on the lie-tellers.

[glnnglnn-2009]

Rep. John Murtha is an obvious choice for Security of Defense. The military respects him and he has the right priorties in restoring our Armed Forces. Iraq was no threat but North Korea and Iran are.
On 9/12/01 almost every person in the world was with the USA. Now everyone hates us. America needs to get back on track quick!

[lestb35]

Why do we care if everyone hates us. Maybe they won't ask us to pay for all their stuff if they hate us so much. Maybe our money can start being used for us.

[drgoodwin12]

Here is a link that relates to this story,to bad CBS missed it http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/IraqCoverage/story?id=2533451 This story corroborates the NIE report and Woodwards book.It is a shame that we have been duped by the recent Foleygate.It is called damage control,you divert the media and the media to another story feed them a sacrificial lamb that is juicy full of coverup and complicity and hope that you have control the damgage from the NIE report and Woodwards book.You see if they cannot run on a campaign of fear of terror,then they have nothing to run on.So out goes Foley and maybe some other republicans but yet by keeping the war in Iraq a secret you win enough seats to control congress.This is typical of Rove and his Rovettes.Wake up keep your eyes on the real enemy Bush and his gang of Benedict Arnolds.