2008 Woodie Awards
Rumsfeld: The Indefensible Defense Secretary
Sidnie D. Davis
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: Opinions
"It is not knowable how long that conflict would last. It could last, you know, six days, six weeks, I doubt six months." -Donald Rumsfeld., February 7, 2003
"We know where they [Weapons of Mass Destruction] are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south, and north somewhat." -Donald Rumsfeld, March 30, 2003.
These quotes accurately reflect the ineptitude behind the Iraq War. The leadership, or lack thereof, of Secretary Rumsfeld has been questioned many times throughout the Bush Administration. In the wake of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, Rumsfeld's offer of resignation was not accepted by President Bush. The criticism of Rumsfeld has escalated since then, peaking two weeks ago when six retired generals called for his resignation, citing gross mismanagement and miscalculations. Major General Charles H. Swannack was quoted Tuesday in the New York Times, stating that he does "not believe Secretary Rumsfeld is the right person to fight that war [the war on terror] based on his absolute failures in managing the war against Saddam in Iraq."
Many Democrats, and even some Republican politicians, have supported the views of the generals and strengthened the call for Rumsfeld's resignation. President Bush issued a statement last week affirming his unwavering confidence in Donald Rumsfeld. On April 22, Former President Gerald Ford also defended Rumsfeld, saying that "President Bush is right to keep him in his post." Donald Rumsfeld served as the youngest Secretary of Defense during the Ford Administration. Ford's remarks were overshadowed by an Army report that broke the same day, stating that 83 American soldiers committed suicide last year; an all-time high for the past 25 years.
It is highly unusual that military officials would publicly oppose a sitting defense secretary. Active duty members have been less forthcoming, for fear of reprisal. To condemn Rumsfeld could be construed as breaching military law. Still, Senator Joe Lieberman, who has been rumored to be a viable replacement for Rumsfeld, said he was "troubled by the growing number of high-ranking retired military officers" who have been openly criticizing Rumsfeld.
"We know where they [Weapons of Mass Destruction] are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south, and north somewhat." -Donald Rumsfeld, March 30, 2003.
These quotes accurately reflect the ineptitude behind the Iraq War. The leadership, or lack thereof, of Secretary Rumsfeld has been questioned many times throughout the Bush Administration. In the wake of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, Rumsfeld's offer of resignation was not accepted by President Bush. The criticism of Rumsfeld has escalated since then, peaking two weeks ago when six retired generals called for his resignation, citing gross mismanagement and miscalculations. Major General Charles H. Swannack was quoted Tuesday in the New York Times, stating that he does "not believe Secretary Rumsfeld is the right person to fight that war [the war on terror] based on his absolute failures in managing the war against Saddam in Iraq."
Many Democrats, and even some Republican politicians, have supported the views of the generals and strengthened the call for Rumsfeld's resignation. President Bush issued a statement last week affirming his unwavering confidence in Donald Rumsfeld. On April 22, Former President Gerald Ford also defended Rumsfeld, saying that "President Bush is right to keep him in his post." Donald Rumsfeld served as the youngest Secretary of Defense during the Ford Administration. Ford's remarks were overshadowed by an Army report that broke the same day, stating that 83 American soldiers committed suicide last year; an all-time high for the past 25 years.
It is highly unusual that military officials would publicly oppose a sitting defense secretary. Active duty members have been less forthcoming, for fear of reprisal. To condemn Rumsfeld could be construed as breaching military law. Still, Senator Joe Lieberman, who has been rumored to be a viable replacement for Rumsfeld, said he was "troubled by the growing number of high-ranking retired military officers" who have been openly criticizing Rumsfeld.
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