Rep. Shays Asks For Rumsfeld To Resign

(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."

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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