Prominent Republicans warn Bush that Rumsfeld could cost GOP its majority

[Demeter]

http://www.insightmag.com/Media/MediaManager/Rumsfeld2.htm




Several prominent Republicans in the House and Senate have urged President Bush to replace Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as part of an administration shakeup.



GOP sources said many in the congressional leadership have warned that growing opposition against Mr. Rumsfeld could result in the loss of the Republican Party’s majority in the 2006 elections. They said Mr. Rumsfeld has become the lightning rod for the public discontent with the administration......

But the sources said the White House plans to hold on to Mr. Rumsfeld despite the pressure from the leadership. They said Mr. Bush feels that kicking out Mr. Rumsfeld would mean "open season" on the administration.



"It would encourage demands for other members of the Cabinet or other people close to the president to resign," said Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.



FIRING RUMMY WOULD CAUSE AN OPEN SEASON ON BUSH/CHENEYCO? YA THINK???

LIGHTNING RODS ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT, AFTER ALL.

[izzie]

1. Gone or still there, I think it is open season already.

I just do not think Bush will change what is in his mind. If Bush gets rid of the Rumsfeld I think it will be another who thinks like him. I do not think Bush is sure of him self so has to stay in one place on his thinking. We have all met people like this. Using what they know, they are right, seems to be the place to stay at. I wish I could put that better but maybe some one else can for me?

[habitual]

2. well it certainly seems that he needs a reminder

of his job description. As now he admits that he is not firing Rumpy for political reasons. We really see in this that he cares nothing for the good of the nation and everything about the good of his own interests. Wake up the rest of you (32%)

[electropop]

3. Thanks Georgie!

We appreciate your help. While you're at it, why don't you send Rummy Dummy on a speaking tour to every contested Repuke seat? Thank you very much.

[SoCalDem]

4. Harriet Miers for Secretary of Defense

[Divernan]

8. Have they dropkicked her out of the WH yet?

If not, it's because she's at last woken up and is demanding some lucrative quid for the pro quo of pleading the fifth when she's subpoenaed by Fitz.

[sendero]

5. These "GOP leaders" are in lala land..

...if they think the GOP can repair itself by merely dumping Rummy.

But hey, I won't mind if they do their best, and dumping Rummy would be a good start.

[tanyev]

9. They should be just as worried that Bush will cost them the majority.

[librechik]

14. BINGO!--but Baby must have his Rummie

:popcorn:

[wicket]

6. They just don't want to go through the confirmation process for Sec Def.

It will be incredibly ugly, and of course, completely deserved.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Let me get this straight.

"Kicking out the shitty people would result in calls to get rid of the other shitty people so we'll stick with the shitty people."

[Demeter]

10. That's About It....You Take the Door Prize!

Admitting failure--a mistake--is something Bush cannot do. His parents probably never made him apologise for anything.

[Q3JR4]

11. It ain't Rummy that's causing them all the worry,

I can tell you that.

We may have to give monkey boy a medal for putting government back into the hands of the adults (provided we could get passed those damn voting machines).

[grasswire]

12. is it Bush holding the line on Rummy? Or Cheney?

If the true cabal is Cheney-Rumsfeld, perhaps it is Cheney who is refusing to let Rumsfeld go.

[bdamomma]

13. these guys are joined

at the hip, if one goes down all of them should go down.

[cliss]

15. Yes, that's got to be it.

Bush has nothing to do with it. The decisions come from Cheney. It give us some interesting clues as to what he thinks. Certainly, we know this man is out of touch with reality. (= the last throes).

Cheney prides himself on being the "last holdout" he hangs on, like a pit bull, where other people throw in the towel and change their policies. Not Cheney. He's proud of the fact that he never, ever lets opposition or public opinion change his mind. I've read that the man suffers from a form of autism.

So knowing this about Cheney, we should expect nothing.....for a while. There will be lots of "supporters" coming out of the woodwork. Bush will again proclaim his love for Rummy.

But they may just overrule Cheney.....(waiting with great interest)