The ink has barely dried on the election results of the 2006 Midterm Elections and already the first victim has been claimed: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has handed in his resignation to President Bush.
Rumsfeld has been heavily criticised for his role in the war in Iraq and pundits believed his days to be numbered after a damaging article in the Army Times last saturday calling for Rumsfeld’s resignation. His position is believed to have become untenable after yesterday’s Midterm Elections, which President Bush has called “a thumping”.
President Bush addressed the press after news of Rumsfeld’s resignation broke. He said that he and Rumsfeld agreed that “the time is right for new leadership in the Pentagon” and for “new perspective in Iraq”. Bush also gave messages “to our enemies: do not be joyful, to the people of Iraq: do not be fearful”.
Bush stated he would nominate Robert Gates to replace Rumsfeld as Defense Secretary. Gates was the Director of the CIA between 1991 and 1993, rising to that position from an entry-level employee. President Bush reminded reporters that Gates served 6 presidents and has extensive management experience. He said that Gates “understands that we are waging a global war on terrorism” and that he could bring a much needed “new perspective” to the Pentagon.
Popularity: 100% [?]
0 Responses to “Election Fallout Claims First Victim: Rumsfeld Resigns”