Several commentators are discussing this, but I don’t look for any action from Bush. Why would he do something now? If he were moved to get rid of the guy, he would have done it after the torture scandal unraveled from Bremer’s hands. Even after that, Bush publicly told Rumsfeld what a great job he was doing.

That photo is hilarious ...the Yale educated cowboy.

To bad 60,000,000 people eat it up.

Rummy is not going anywhere. He will be around for good long time to come. After the Jan 30th "election" in Iraq, there will be more GOP critism launched at him, but Rummy serves a useful purpose for the GOP. He is their whipping boy. The GOP Senators and Congressmen don't have the courage to criticize Bush on anything, let alone the Iraq mess. So Rummy will take all the heat for Bush.

Nice post, Steve. Rummy is, indeed, just emblematic of the real problem, which is George and Dick's unwavering belief in their own judgment.

That the judgment is so completely out of touch with reality doesn't seem to enter into the equation for a lot of people, too.

Bush is a lame duck, but GOP Senators aren't. Taking pot shots at Rumsfeld is safe way for GOP Senators to put a little distance between themselves and an increasingly unpopular war while still "supporting the troops." This is particularly true of those with presidential aspirations, such as McCain, and if not him, his buddy Hagel.

I'm disgusted that John Warner and George Allen are my state Senators. The first is completely in the pocket of the military-defense industry and the second is moron. Allen is sort of a Virginia version of Dubya. Allen doesn't have Dubya's silver spoon pedigree, but otherwise the remblance is disturbing enough that I wouldn't be surprised to see Allen make a run as the Southern fundamentalist candidate in the 2008 GOP primaries.

Bragan, you're the BEST! Allen and Warner spook me too, here in Virginia, and your description of Allen is too, too funny! Jeb is going to replace Bush in 2008--it's been in the plan for years!

As for Bush's silver-spoon pedigree, that is a myth. The family is just as common as the day is long. White trash with connections TO percieved silver-spoon pedigree'd people. I know a Yalie here in Loudoun County, VA and she is a home-school mom with what seems like fifteen kids--she's constantly pregnant; a rabid Republican twit and an anti-abortion lobbyist. So much for Yale grads.

We have Yokel sort of government and we're done for. It ain't ever gonna get better with these Bush shits in office.

I agree that dumping Rummy now would really accomplish little. As pointed out, he only reflects Bush/Cheney policy and thought (sic) and a replacement is likely to be as bad or worse. He is serving as Bush's scapegoat here, like Tenet in the CIA, and Ashcroft in "justice". Like it or not, this is Bush's game and as long as he can deflect blame to others (his lifelong accomplishment) he'll stay the Man of the Year in the eyes of foolish americans.

Frist making the absurd statement in defending Rummy "we shouldn't confuse style with substance."

My bet would be that this is Senator-speak for "Hey, None of Mr. Rumsfeld's plans include scrapping weapons made in Tennessee..."

Somebody really should follow the money, and see how much of the opposition to Rummy comes from people (like Trent Lott) whose constituents might lose jobs due to the Revolution in Military Affairs™

The problem isn’t Rummy, his insensitivity, his ineptitude, and his lies.

Is this the style part?

That photo is hilarious ...the Yale educated cowboy.

Why don't his siblings have a Tex-ass accent? And for those of you around Kennebunkport, is it common for people raised there to have Tex-ass accents?

I agree about the insensitivity, the ineptitude and the lies. What I haven't seen receive much comment is the pathology. I fear that we are looking at someone who is seriously impaired emotionally. He's not the only one in high places with this impairment.

I don't agree that dumping Rumsfeld would mean little. It would be a significant blow to the administration's credibility. Chipping away at that is, for the time being, one of our main tasks.

I fear Bragan may be correct about Allen. The first time I saw him on TV my thought was 'photogenic moron'. He is too much like Bush:
1.Looks good on TV and 2. Not a deep thinker, will do as his handlers say.

I also agree that anyone who replaces Runsfeld won't be an improvement, if anything Rumsfeld often admits more than he means to and that is better than getting a smoother, more effective liar.

"a significant blow to the administration's credibility"
you are joking, right?

Notice how Bush still walks like a chimp - with the back of his hands leading.

jeff, "Cowboy" implies you know how to ride a horse...which Bush does not...more image over substance.

Notice how Bush still walks like a chimp - with the back of his hands leading

Why are you looking his hands? Finger size?
Chevy

Chevy, do our other trolls PAY you to make them look smart?

I hope Rummy stays--Bush's impeachment is around the corner in that case.

I'm listening to Pacifica radio, broadcasting the the chimp's news conference yesterday. The guy can't even make himself understood... Pathetic!