rummy's resignation like all other neocon moves, is a hollow gesture

[Philosoraptor]

It means nothing, it will solve exactly nothing, it is merely to give the appearance of meaning something, like all other neo con maneuvers. The war will last precisely as long as it is allowed to, as long as they can drag it out, till the last man dies and the last drop of oil is sucked out.

They ALL need to step down by popular demand, starting with the number one fuck up, mr. ape himself. Will rummy stepping down stop the war? Is it a sign that bush gets it? I doubt that. Does dick cheney finally get it? Fuck no, he's wondering why we don't get it.

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

1. From the outside perspective, perhaps

but in from a long term political perspective it was a smart calculated move on the part of the Repubs.

They obviously knew as of Tuesday night they were not going to have the ability to keep Rumsfeld much less get who they want as SecDef come January. By getting rid of him now, they:
1) Send a message to the masses that change is coming
2) Get someone in as SecDef while they still have control of the House and Senate
3) Remove the annihilation of the GOP from the headlines
4) Hand off responsibility of Iraq to the Dems for the remaining two years of his term. They wanted Rumsfeld gone, he is replaced, did they do any better in two years?

Bush is prepping the field for 2008. In their minds, they lost the 06 battle, but they want the 2008 war.

DBDB

[bullimiami]

3. i still dont buy it. if rummy going was politically useful they would have

done it before the election when it was needed.

[mseang]

2. Amen

I am glad someone finally said this. Democrats are so busy jumping for joy, they have not recognized this politically motivated move. Anyone who thinks Bush did this as response to pressure is nuts. This was done as a political move aimed at putting pressure on the new Democratic leadership. This is just a new neocon being appointed to a position to do the bidding of his superiors. Nothing will really change, but the American public will see this as a change in direction for Iraq.