Senate Dems let REPUBLICANS shout loudest in calling for Rumsfeld's resignation...

Nothing better illustrates the IMPOTENCE and incompetence, bordering on craven complicity and corruption, of the Senate Democrats, than that it was the 9-11 WIDOWS who did the heavy-lifting calling for a 9-11 Commission, that it was REPUBLICAN senators who most vocally opposed Mr. Bush's insane TORTURE bill two weeks ago, and that it is once again REPUBLICANS most loudly calling for Rumsfeld's resignation this week.

On each and every issue crucial to Americans and America's role in the world, Democrats are willing to make only tepid efforts to define the issues and stand for what is right. Having made a few speeches or press conferences, the Democrats next retreat into their offices and Georgetown cocktail parties, scattering their separate ways and allowing the Rove media machine to DEFINE the issues and media narrative.

As far as the Cowardly Senate Democrats are concerned, THEY don't care if ANOTHER 3,000 American servicemen are shot-up in Iraq (and another 20,000 wounded) under Rumsfeld's GLARINGLY INCOMPETENT 'leadership'.... as long as they, our fearless Dem 'leaders', don't have to get out front and muss their hair opposing Mr. Rumsfeld or his tragic record of incompetence.

DISGRACEFUL.

<< Rumsfeld "simply is refusing to cooperate with a committee that oversees the Department of Defense," Shays said. "To me he has crossed the line." >>


[Enabling the Bush administration's dictatorial impulses is what cowering Democrats do best.]

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GOP lawmaker calls for Rumsfeld to quit

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Oct 4, 7:16 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061004/ap_on_el_ho/republican_rumsfeld;_ylt=Arlp4My74N7ocnqeQk7beWWyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-

STAMFORD, Conn. - Rep. Chris Shays, who is facing a tough challenge from an anti-war Democrat, on Wednesday called for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to resign — a rare demand from a longtime Republican.
The Connecticut lawmaker also accused officials at the Defense Department of withholding information about the Iraq war from Congress.

"I am losing faith in how we are fighting this war," Shays, a longtime supporter of the conflict, said in an interview. "I believe we have to motivate the Iraqis to do more."

Shays, who was elected in 1987, said defense officials stopped cooperating with his congressional subcommittee after he proposed setting a timeline for troop withdrawals. Shays, who had previously opposed such a timeline, offered the plan in August following his 14th trip to Iraq since the war began.

Rumsfeld "simply is refusing to cooperate with a committee that oversees the Department of Defense," Shays said. "To me he has crossed the line."

"I think Donald Rumsfeld needs to step down," said Shays, who is chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, emerging threats and international relations.

The Pentagon had no comment and referred to Rumsfeld's recent remarks. Asked on a flight to Nicaragua earlier this week whether he would resign, Rumsfeld responded, "No, no, no." He said he had spoken to President Bush and he had voiced his support.

Questioned about Shays' complaint about a lack of cooperation, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said, "the Defense Department does work very closely with congressional members and committees that have oversight responsibilities."

Several congressional Democrats have clamored for Rumsfeld's resignation, but it's rare for a lawmaker in President Bush's political party to argue that the Pentagon chief should step down. Republican candidate Tom Kean Jr., who is seeking a Senate seat in New Jersey, also has called for Rumsfeld's resignation.

Shays is a moderate Republican who has voted against the party rank-and-file on a number of issues, including the environment. He also supports abortion rights and gun control.

Frustration among some in the GOP with the administration's handling of the war is not limited to Congress. During an appearance in Minnesota on Tuesday, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "stay the course isn't a good enough answer, because to stay the course you have to have a finish line."

Rep. Walter Jones (news, bio, voting record), R-N.C., who has Camp Lejeune in his district, said he has repeatedly called for Rumsfeld to resign.

"I have felt this way for quite a while. . . . He reminds me so much of (Defense Secretary Robert) McNamara in the Vietnam War. He is arrogant and will not admit a mistake."

Shays is in one of the most competitive House races this year and his comments come just five weeks before the midterm elections. His opponent, Democrat Diane Farrell, has opposed the war and advocates an exit strategy for U.S. troops. Farrell lost to Shays by 4 percentage points two years ago.

Farrell's campaign pointed out that she has been calling for Rumsfeld's resignation for months and said this is just the latest change in Shays' position.

"He has supported the war from Day One," said Farrell campaign spokeswoman Jan Spiegel. "He has voted to give the president a blank check."

Shays made his comments after a debate with Farrell, which was dominated by questions about the Iraq war. Farrell said Shays started talking about timelines after Sen. Joe Lieberman lost the Democratic primary to anti-war candidate Ned Lamont. Lieberman is running as an independent.

Shays rejected the charge, saying he has attended funerals of soldiers and would not base his position on how to get re-elected.

Associated Press Writers Anne Plummer Flaherty and Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.