"But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."
Best for whom? Rumsfeld? It sure isn't best for the Iraqi people and the coalition soldiers who have been killed or wounded since day one of this illegal war because Rummy was too obstinate to listen to his critics who warned him that he was going into battle with too few troops and that a fierce insurgency was liklely to develop.
In Tuesday's Washington Post, EJ Dionne reminds us that the temptation to make Rumsfeld the scapegoat "is a way for other members of the administration to dodge responsibility for a misguided policy". I disagree. Those who criticize Rummy are more than able to chew gum and walk at the same time. We know that it's the entire Bush administration, his Republican congress and supporters, who continue to follow Bush blindly, who are responsible for this mess and we will never let them off the hook for that.
During Tuesday's Pentagon press briefing, Rumsfeld meekly spoke about his accomplishments during his tenure as Secretary of Defense - obviously feeling the need to prove that he is competent for the job. He certainly wasn't his usual, feisty and angry self as he dealt with the media. He knows that he needs to show some contrite seriousness if he's going to get through this period of heavy criticism. As far as Rummy is concerned, "You know this, too, will pass," he said - as if this is just some sort of phase.
In the meantime, Senator Dick Durbin has suggested that congress should "take a "no confidence" vote on Rumsfeld when lawmakers return to Washington next week." But, now that Bush has said that he's "the decider", we all know that the Rubber Stamp Congress™ will simply ignore that call and fall in line.
Update: Crooks and Liars has the video of Bush's "I'm the decider" response.
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