Bush Lies, Endorses Rummy, Shoots GOP in Foot

Many GOP candidates running for re-election to Congress tried to show voters they were not toadies of President Bush by bashing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on the failed invasion and occupation of Iraq, and in many cases calling for his ouster.

In the latest example of GOP implosion, Bush dealt those candidates an unexpected blow Thursday. He gave Rumsfeld the same glowing "Heck of a job, Brownie!" endorsement he gave to his now-parted FEMA chief Michael Brown by vowing to keep Rumsfeld through the bitter end of his presidency. "I'm pleased with the progress we're making," the president said.

In an odd turn of events, on the day after the elections Bush admitted he lied about keeping Rumsfeld on - that he had decided beforehand to can the defense secretary. The reason for his lie: to get him past a pesky reporter's question on the subject.

Recently, several top U.S. generals with experience in Iraq called for Rumsfeld's removal. Now the editorial writers of the military's newspapers are doing the same.



Army Times: 'Time for Rumsfeld to go'

(CNN) -- An editorial to be published in an independent military publication Monday calls for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to be replaced.

The editorial reads: "It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed. But when the nation's current military leaders start to break publicly with their defense secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads."

"Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large," the editorial states. "His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt."