Harold Ford (D-Tenn) calls for Rumsfeld's Resignation...replaced by Powell

[KeepItReal]

"U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn., called for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's resignation and urged President Bush to replace him with former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell.

Ford said if he were President Bush, "I would do whatever I could to persuade Powell to take the (position).

Although Ford never served in the military, he brought along a strong advocate for veterans — former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland. Cleland lost both legs and an arm in a grenade explosion while fighting in Vietnam and has never stopped being worried for those who have served their country.

He has joined Ford on his U.S. Senate campaign with the slogan, "A New Generation of Leadership." "

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060414/NEWS01/604140367/1002

[WI_DEM]

1. why bring in Powell--who lacks back bone?

[Renew Deal]

2. Powell won't do it.

He's not crazy enough to deal with the "adults in charge."

[KeepItReal]

3. I dunno...must be a face-saving option for Bush & Co. he's presenting

Why he even tacked that option onto asking Rumsfeld to roll out, I don't know.

[Uncle Joe]

37. I am just speculating here,

but I believe Ford knows Bush is emotionally unstable if not mentally, and Ford is thinking of what is best for the nation. He knows for the sake of the military and by extension us, Rumsfield the incompetent must be removed. If it means for Bush to have a face saving option, so be it. Whatever your thoughts or feelings are of Powell, he at least knows the military.


Kicked but too late to recommend.


:kick:

[ldf]

40. whatever is best for the nation

does NOT include colin powell.

[Uncle Joe]

41. I believe Ford thinks

Colin is the best Bush is capable of doing for the nation, and with Rumsfield the incompetent in charge of the Defense Dept. even Powell would be an improvement.

[opihimoimoi]

4. How bout Gen Shinseki ?? That would be an improvement

and....he would replace the guy that fired him....BWAhahahaha

[KeepItReal]

5. Now *that's* Karma...Me likey!

:toast:

[HereSince1628]

10. Shinseki at least could add up what was needed...

beyond that who knows what other skeletons lurk inside his career?

[MADem]

15. Seriously--he has NONE; not a single skeleton

He is clean as a hound's tooth. Highly respected, too.

About the only thing that you can lay on him is that "beret" idea...and that came out of boredom, most likely, since he was cut out of the loop for speaking his mind.

[MADem]

11. Rick would probably vomit at the turnover!!

It would be a clever move if the Monkey did it, but I can't see him saying the "MISTAKE" word twice in one month!!! And that appointment would be saying "YEP, I screwed up!" in a BIG way!

[marmar]

13. I don't think Shinseki wants anything to do with BushCo...

Can you blame him?

[MadMaddie]

18. So they can blame him and then fire him again..

Gen Shinseki needs to stay as far away from this shit pile as he can....and then when the grown ups are back in charge they can bring Gen Shinseki and the other recently retired or fired military brass back so they can clean up the mess....

But yea it would be great Karma for Gen Shinseki to replace Rummy!!

[opihimoimoi]

20. After all, it looks like it would be in the Best Interest for the NATION

Get him back to do the job the right way, the best way, the only way...

[Stinky The Clown]

21. He can't serve in that post. Has to be out of uniform 10 years first

Dats da law.

[MADem]

24. Monkey could ask Congress to modify Title 10, though, if there

suddenly developed a groundswell of opinion in favor of the move. I can't see it happening, but it is technically possible.

[TorchTheWitch]

36. ASK Congress?

Monkey could ask Congress to modify Title 10

Since when does the Chimp in Chief ask Congress for anything? He has quiet a history of giving the finger to Congress since he seems to think that he's the Emperer and can do anything he pleases. Congress is window dressing in this admin... that piece of parsley on the dinner plate (it's only purpose is to sit there and look pretty)

:)

[MADem]

38. Look, I use the term "as if" he were normal

But a legislative change could be affected without too much angst. I'll put it another way: He could call Fristie and Fatboy Hastert to the WH, give them their marching orders, and direct the enactment of the change.

[cliss]

6. They've overlooked one thing -

what's Rumsfailed going to think of Colon Bowel replacing him?

I mean, I would think twice about replacing this dude. He's mean...malicious...vindictive. He'd probably set me up, and then do something to me.

~An open position with no takers ~~

[MADem]

25. And generally, you don't MOVE DOWN

STATE is senior to DEFENSE in the pecking order. Powell would have his nose up Condoleeza's butt in the Monkeyboy Iditerod Race.

The lead dog, as we well know, has the best view!

[msgadget]

7. How centrist...

[brentspeak]

8. Well, he got half of it correct.

I'm with the poster below: Gen.Shinseki would be a good man for the job. At least he's someone who knows what he's doing.

[MADem]

9. Clever triangulation tactic--Monkey won't take his advice, but

voters in his state from the GOP side will see young Harold as a bipartisan type guy who appreciates defense concerns. The Revolt of the Generals helps him, too, in a state that is quite pro-military.

It's a win-win for him; he strengthens his "pro-troops" bona fides. The drumbeats to get Rummy gone grow louder by the hour.

[blm]

16. I agree with you - it makes more GOPs see Bush and Rumsfeld's incompetence

when compared to the still trusted Powell (in their eyes) who tried to avert war in Iraq before falling in line for his president, then - - - - just like THEY did.

This can only HELP Ford and Dems, because we all KNOW that the Chimp won't make that move PLUS they won't/CAN'T attack Powell as the lesser man to Rummy.

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Interesting observation

Makes perfect sense, too.

While Ford may not be my favorite Dem, I never thought him dumb.

[bluestateguy]

12. No, I don't want Powell back

I would not trust anybody who Bush appoints anyway. This is why there is little to cheer if Rumsfeld is forced out: Bush gets to appoint the replacement.

[napi21]

14. I don't think Powell would even consider that, but I HOPE he doesn't.

Sure, he would be better than Rummy, BUT it would look like all his criticisms of Rummy 7 Shrub were for selfish personal gain, and would decrease his credibility.

[opihimoimoi]

19. Even "The Terminator" Arnold would do better than Rummy the Dummy

But then he already got a day job....

[DLnyc]

17. Can the SOD be a military person? I thought that was prohibited.

Does anybody have info on this? I thought it was required that the Sec. of Defense (i.e. War) NOT be anyone from the military.

[kenny blankenship]

23. You're probably right. The Sec. should be non-military

but of course, by tradition, so is the Secretary of State, but that didn't stop the Bushlerite regime from installing a General just out of the service into that position, and one connected with warcrimes at that. (That should have tipped off anyone as to what was coming from this bunch of thugs).

[wiley]

29. Ten Years after service ends.

That's why Wes Clark (08) can't be SOD at this time. Um, would we really want Powell to be SOD? He retired instead of told the truth when he realized he was duped. The Pukes would NOT take him back.

[DLnyc]

33. Thanks, I thought there was something like that.

And I would be happy to see Dummy Rummy kicked out, regardless.

[heirs_of_liberty]

22. 1st 'politicians' wouldn't affect this murderous invasion/occupation.....

Now this Anglican-Crusader Fascist War Criminal-in-Chief won't even allow his generals in the field, being forced to retire to speak openly, to stop the endless escalation of this global religious fascist World War III.

Our country, our world and sane decent humanity itself does not need this bloodthirsty religious socialist Armageddon battle to be engineered any further. No, we do not want the "Neo-Christian" Red Book 'Revelation" ravings of an insane madman to "guide" us to the thermonuclear destruction of the future of our planet.

It's time that the sane intelligent responsible loving people of this planet rise up against all three of these Satanic established religious socialist cults and relegate them all and their evil proselytizers into the garbage bin of bloodthirsty hateful tyranny where they all so rightfully belong.

Those with true "faith" worship a God which is Love

[bullimiami]

26. attn Harold Ford .... powell is also a world renowned liar.

he is not acceptable for any position. i dont care how black he is or how many stars he had, his integrity is non-existant.

[global1]

28. I'm Sure If * Did Fire Rummy And Hire Powell His Poll Numbers Would ....

go up considerably with the proper RW spin.

Not doing that suggests either somebody is sabotaging * and his chances for getting his poll numbers up or that Sy Hersch was right.

[Bluesplayer]

30. how about Norman Schwartzkopf?

guaranteed to bring up Bush's numbers.

[saltpoint]

31. From what I'm getting from various articles, Rumsfeld and Powell

are not on the best of terms.

I wonder if Congressman Ford is dumping salt onto the wound here? It's been commonly reported that Powell/Armitage had one version of events on Iraq and Rumsfeld/Cheney had another, that Rumsfeld/Cheney's view won out, and now that it has failed, Ford may be tossing tacks out the window at Bush to increase the pressure on the president to sack Rumsfeld.

If Bush did can Rumsfeld and replaced him with Powell (and Ford likely knows this), the neocon community would explode in fury.

[KeepItReal]

34. Here's more on Rumsfeld vs. Powell

"Neo-cons fear Powell will be Bush's most influential adviser. His appointment effectively prevents his friend Armitage from getting the Pentagon position he wants -- and makes Rumsfeld an attractive choice for Defense so as to counter Powell. Early on, Powell pushes for continued sanctions against Iraq. To the neo-cons' dismay, and Powell's relief, Bush's early Iraq policy looks much like Clinton's.
...

At the meeting , Rumsfeld raises Iraq as an "opportunity." According to Bob Woodward's book, Plan of Attack, Powell rolls his eyes. Powell argues for using "soft power." Although he loses that battle, he does prevent the U.S. from going to war with Iraq immediately. The next day, Bush makes his decision -- Afghanistan is the first target.
... "


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/pentagon/

[saltpoint]

39. Very insightful inside look at things, and thank you for

passing it along, KeepItReal.

Much appreciated.

[leesa]

32. Powell?? Oh that's a swell idea. Replace criminal #1 with criminal #3.

[sandnsea]

35. Gee, what about Sam Nunn

He's more hawkish than I'd prefer, but he beats the hell out of Colin Powell. Our party leaders have really got to stop naming Republicans when talking defense.

[burrowowl]

42. I don't think a general can be secretary of defense

until a certain time has past. Will have to research it.