Rumsfeld Steps Down; Gates To Succeed Him

Bush: Defense Secretary To Be Replaced By Ex-CIA Chief

(CBS/AP)  After years of defending his secretary of defense, President Bush on Wednesday announced Donald H. Rumsfeld's resignation within hours of the Democrats' triumph in congressional elections. Mr. Bush reached back to his father's administration to tap a former CIA director to run the Pentagon.

The Iraq war was the central issue of Rumsfeld's nearly six-year tenure, and unhappiness with the war was a major element of voter dissatisfaction Tuesday — and the main impetus for his departure. Even some GOP lawmakers became critical of the war's management, and growing numbers of politicians were urging President Bush to replace Rumsfeld.

Mr. Bush said Robert M. Gates, 63, who has served in a variety of national security jobs under six previous presidents, would be nominated to replace Rumsfeld. Gates, currently the president of Texas A&M University, is a Bush family friend and a member of an independent group studying the way ahead in Iraq.

The White House hopes that replacing Rumsfeld with Gates can help refresh U.S. policy on the deeply unpopular war and perhaps establish a stronger rapport with the new Congress. Rumsfeld had a rocky relationship with many lawmakers.

"Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that sometimes it's necessary to have a fresh perspective," Mr. Bush said in the abrupt announcement during a post-election news conference.

Gates is currently a member of the Iraq study group, which is charged with charting a new course in Iraq, CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod reports.

"Because our long-term strategic interests and our national and homeland security are at risk, I did not hesitate when the president asked me to return to duty," Gates said.

In a later appearance at the White House with Rumsfeld and Gates at his side, President Bush praised both men, thanked Rumsfeld for his service and predicted that Gates would bring fresh ideas.

"The secretary of defense must be a man of vision who can see threats still over the horizon and prepare our nation to meet them. Bob Gates is the right man to meet both of these critical challenges," the president said.

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Bio: Rumsfeld's Long Career
Learn more about Robert Gates

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In brief remarks, Rumsfeld described the Iraq conflict as a "little understood, unfamiliar war" that is "complex for people to comprehend." Upon his return to the Pentagon after appearing with Mr. Bush and Gates, Rumsfeld said it was a good time for him to leave.

"It will be a different Congress, a different environment, moving toward a presidential election and a lot of partisanship, and it struck me that this would be a good thing for everybody," Rumsfeld told reporters.

But underscoring that he would not bow to those pushing for a quick U.S. withdrawal, he also said, "I'd like our troops to come home, too, but I want them to come home with victory."

There was little outward reaction among officials at the Pentagon, beyond surprise at the abrupt announcement.

Asked whether Rumsfeld's departure signaled a new direction in a war that has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 U.S. troops and cost more than $300 billion, Mr. Bush said, "Well, there's certainly going to be new leadership at the Pentagon."

Despite saying that he wanted to work with Democrats on Iraq, at times Mr. Bush seemed as dug in as ever about compromising on his wartime policies, Axelrod reports.

"See, if the goal is success, then we can work together," Mr. Bush said. "If the goal is to get out now regardless, then that's going to be hard to work together."

Voters appeared to be telling politicians that the sooner the war ends the better. Surveys at polling places showed that about six in 10 voters disapproved of the war and only a third believed it had improved long-term security in the United States.

[dredre2k]

WONDERFUL NEWS! This was LONG OVERDUE! I'm so glad that he's finally made a WISE decision for this country by resigning! What a MESS he has made in Iraq!

Now, they'll just need to make sure that Richard Pearl's Pentagon pass is revoked when Rumsfield Leaves!

[jeff776]

When do the war crime trials begin? Is Wolfowitz included?

[dredre2k]

OOOH! And Donald CUT AND RAN PRETTY QUICK TOO! LOL!

[rsoxfan1123]

rumsfield is a scapegoat for bush.

[nynative1340]

YES! YES! YES! The sleeping giant has awakened! The American people have arisen in the kind of protest that we do best! We kicked the b*astards out and gave the president HIS wakeup call.

But he continues to lie. He lied in his press conference just now about Rumsfeld stepping down regardless of who won.

...when will he ever learn?

[gerryrigger]

1 down 2toGO... When Bush gets impeached, Cheney should go with him, not take over as president because he's the man behind a lot of Bush's failed actions and policies. Guilty by association.

[jn122736]

Could it be that rumsfeld's stepping down was part of an agreement between the republicans and democrats to avoid impeachment procedures if the dems won the house?.

[xenalily]

Holy Cr@p! Someone pinch me please because this just has to be too good to be true.

[clestes-2009]

The first head rolls and the blood bath begins.

[ceekuei]

The voice of the people prevails. Rumsfeld should have been kicked out a long time ago. The fact that he has been allowed to stay so long and continued to be harmful while compounding his failures and short comings is testimony to the fact that the head honcho (Bush, that is!)is a certified nut case. Power to the American people. It is better to be late than never to get Rumsfeld out of contention.

[ourtomorrows]

A sad day. Rumsfeld acted with honor realizing he had become a liability for his president. He has done a fine job for his country.

[ceekuei]

The voice of the people prevails. Rumsfeld should have been kicked out a long time ago. The fact that he has been allowed to stay so long and continued to be harmful while compounding his failures and short comings is testimony to the fact that the head honcho (Bush, that is!)is a certified nut case. Power to the American people. It is better to be late than never to get Rumsfeld out of contention.

[agnim]

The world is a more sterile place today.
Keep the heads rolling.
America is due for more cleansing.

[ceekuei]

The voice of the people prevails. Rumsfeld should have been kicked out a long time ago. The fact that he has been allowed to stay so long and continued to be harmful while compounding his failures and short comings is testimony to the fact that the head honcho (Bush, that is!)is a certified nut case. Power to the American people. It is better to be late than never to get Rumsfeld out of contention.

[osidebear]

CBS projects Tester the winner over burns, then I read that Rumsfeld is out. Christmas has come early this year!

[marcodele]

Its hard to get excited about Democrats inheriting a giant mess of a deficit and a war in Iraq that was initiated based on flawed intelligence. It is even sadder that Rumsfeld resigns and retreats to his mansion while our soldiers take the real heat for his mistakes.
What a pathetic six years this has been - and shame on the voters who were snookered by the "evangelical revolution" bulldung.

[huskerarmy]

Allowed to resign by the Decider/Divider.

[ellygumera]

To late...Republican Party paid for the price!
Hope this would pave the way for the return of all GIs in Iraq.

[nhjeff]

Cheney must resign first. "President Cheney" is the only thing I can think of that's scarier than Bush/Cheney! Thankfully, we no longer have to worry about "President Frist!"

[agnim]

The president could resign along with his entire cabinet and make it even sweeter for America.

God, how we have suffered under weight of these evil men who were pursuing THEIR OWN PERSONAL vendetta and agenda, slaughter hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children and women, and getting thousands of fine Americans killed and crippled in Iraq. This while the maniac muslims hide out in Afghanistan and Pakistan! Tsk-tsk

[huskerarmy]

marcodele,

So true! It's kind of like winning the bid on a house and discovering that the walls are infested with termites!

[bpicolin]

Robert Gates is a terrible choice. A compartmentalist secrecy will enshroud the DoD - and Gates will revisit his Iran-Contra illegality upon us all.

Bush is a cowardly, spineless man who never takes responsibility for his own inaction. He and Cheney should both resign and let a leader take control.
Rumsfeld is just the fall-guy for a very, very incompetent commander-in-chief. Rumsfeld is a loyal and patriotic man.

[mgpm-2009]

Wow! Amazing...thank goodness!!!

[rsoxfan1123]

my faith in the democratic process and the IQ of America was restored today.

[nhjeff]

Cheney must resign first. "President Cheney" is the only thing I can think of that's scarier than Bush/Cheney! Thankfully, we no longer have to worry about "President Frist!"

[xenalily]

SHURCH4TRUTH people are elated and it's true that maybe some people are posting silly things but let everyone celebrate for the day and then it's back to work again. No one is forgetting that there is still a war going on.

[jmagarotz]

I will agree with one statement, America is "due for a cleansing" but, it won't be the kind you want and trust me. You infidels ain't going to like it!!!

[philipduva]

Rumsfeld is an advisor to the president, and the president makes the final decision. Rumsfeld's resignation is like shoting the messenger, thank goodness we only have 2 more years of Bush

[rsoxfan1123]

philipduva-exactly. and the next two years will be hell for bush. thank God

[paul_pitcl]

I find it interesting that the President would endorse the Secretary a day before the election and accept his resignation a day after the election. Maybe this illustrates the credibility problem that the Republicans have had for quite some time.

[rsoxfan1123]

Paul_Pitcl-more like illustrates the finger pointing blame game bush plays whenever he has to take responsibility.

[tejasdemo]

A Democratic victory is already paying off.

[rsoxfan1123]

"heckuva job, brownie"...etc etc etc

[squiz2]

I just choked on my coffee....how f*ing exciting! Looks like Rummy just got scared and ran away. What a good day for America; I just hope things keep looking up!

[rsoxfan1123]

SQuiz2 -let the tribunals begin.

[jeffk1623]

Talk about cut and run....he is to much of a wuss to face the fire.....

[pakaal]

Unfortunately it's not as simple as Rumsfeld being "the architect" of the war in Iraq. Many contributed to this plan. Personally I think it's good he step down, but it seems to me like he's being used as a scapegoat for the problems in strategy, and that's the wrong reason to let him go. It's the strategy that's flawed, not just the guy who was in charge of implementing that strategy.

Still, if it brings more confidence to our military to have him out, I'm all for it.

[tonnie45]

Oh trust me. America will get "the cleansing", but people it ain't gonna be good. I am just as glad as everyone else Rumsfeld is out. But like I saw on a post earlier, we still need to be thinking about our troops and keep them in constant prayer.

[marcodele]

"Rummy, you're doing a heckuva job" Bush on Tuesday.

"Bye loser" Bush on Wednesday

[jhindson1]

We need Wolfowitz to resign too.

He was appointed toe the World Bank and no doubt is doing lots of damage there - busy financially punishing any nation that disagrees with the remaining neocons (Bush Cheney)

[nothappyatall]

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, architect of an unpopular war in Iraq, is stepping down, President Bush announced Wednesday.
==
BYE rummy!! and good riddance to your sorry arse, who is NEXT?
Time to drain this SWAMP the country has been saddled with for the last 6 years.
Oh and now BUSH is all talk about how we can work together, sure, after he did nothing but slam, ridicule, cajole and attack Dems, threaten blackmail to remove the one safeguard- the caucus
or whatever the hell it's called if the Dems protested bills and used it to block them.

Now watch these neocons FALL one by one.

[tkenny2]

This news made my day!

I am so glad that that arrogant *** is OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!

[marjorieann2]

Send the bum to Guantanimo for crimes agaist humanity. Then send Bush, Cheney, and the rest of the neothugs. Make em wear orange suits, black caps over their faces, electrical wires pluged into their fingertips, cover them with their own feces and let them masturbate in front of viscious guard dogs.

Heh, good waves this morning.

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!!!


YIPPE-kai-oh !

[lugoy21]

To resolve the current mess and return the goverment to the american people it is high time to impeach both the President and the Vice President, both have consistently lied to us on matters of state security, We need a clean sweep in Washington and uproot a culture of deception, lobbyism and complete lack of ethical values.

[dustoff127]

Gates - Bush family crony and long time CIA Operative. He is being brought on to bury the secrets. Who is going to be the hero and release the Pentagon Papers 2006?

[amazedd]

Scapegoat
"And the Goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a Land not inhabited."
-Leviticus 16:22

[ksdemocrat]

I am so very happy about this election. I know that the poor Democrats have to come in and clean up the mess that the d--- Republicans have made but that is always the way it goes. I just hope that we can look for impeachment of the entire Bush/Cheney cabinet and start over. It is great to be a Democrat in the USA. God Bless our troops!

[doctordonut-2009]

This is the most amusing picture I've seen of Rumsfeld......enjoy

http://www.theweeklydonut.org/index.php/2006/04/20/sticky-good-fun/

[marcodele]

Has anybody checked the battery in Cheney's pacemaker? I hope not.

[jeffk1623]

If Anderson Cooper's statement last night is correct Hastert will be next. He suggested that Denny boy may not have the desire to answer to Nancy....and may resign before January