dismissing Rumsfeld....

[mike_c]

Recent calls for Rumsfeld's dismissal are interesting, partly because he has resisted any real accountability for his failures for so long, but even more so because of truths that lurk below public consciousness but which many folks calling for Rumsfeld's dismissal should be aware of.

The most important of these is that Rumsfeld and Cheney are utterly central to the Bush administration-- they are its philosphical and doctrinal "ringleaders" in a very real sense. Their longevity in the administration has never been tied to performance-- like hapless sons who inherit a thriving business and then squander its resources, they aren't answerable like any other employee because they're insiders. They can't be fired unless they fire themselves, and they're family, so they won't even think about it. Rumsfeld is a made man. He has been from the very beginning. Unless an outside body acts to force his resignation under pretty extreme circumstances, he is just about as untouchable as anyone can ever be.

Rumsfeld will never be "dismissed" in the sense of a president exercising his authority to remove a failed cabinet member from his post. I'm not sure Bush even knows-- or at least acknowledges in his heart-- that he has such authority where Donald Rumsfeld is concerned.

If Rumsfeld leaves office it will be a charade. Furthermore, it will be because his parachute is extremely golden and extremely large. If Rumsfeld accepts any public humiliation for his failures, he will only do so if he receives compensation beyond all imagination. The presumably short road through the remainder of his life will be paved with that compensation. This presumes that he doesn't leave office in handcuffs, but while that might be just, it is unlikely.

The thing that I don't understand is that folks like Hillary Clinton undoubtedly know this. What profit is there in removing Rumsfeld if he can only be removed by offering him a tastier nut to drool over? I doubt that anyone will be fooled by his leaving office in "disgrace." He cannot be disgraced among that company-- such are the benefits of being a compa and untouchable.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. When we take the House in November...

I hope the very first order of business is to impeach Rumsfeld. Of course, if it's possible for congress to impeach a cabinet member (I'm not sure :shrug:)

[cynatnite]

2. Rumsfeld won't leave...

bush is too attached to him and his neocon ways.

I think he'd have to be caught snorting coke in bed with two male prostitutes and a small farm animal in order for him to be kicked to the curb.

[burythehatchet]

3. I have always felt that Cheney and Rummy were the 9/11

enablers/architects. I don't think shrub was in on the details. Cheney and Rummy have him by the balls.