McCain: 'No Confidence' in Rumsfeld

[dr. what]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... _interview

PHOENIX - U.S. Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) said Monday that he has "no confidence" in Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, citing Rumsfeld's handling of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) and the failure to send more troops.

McCain, speaking to The Associated Press in an hourlong interview, said his comments were not a call for Rumsfeld's resignation, explaining that President Bush (news - web sites) "can have the team that he wants around him."

Asked about his confidence in the secretary's leadership, McCain recalled fielding a similar question a couple weeks ago.

"I said no. My answer is still no. No confidence," McCain said.

He estimated an additional 80,000 Army personnel and 20,000 to 30,000 more Marines would be needed to secure Iraq.

"I have strenuously argued for larger troop numbers in Iraq, including the right kind of troops — linguists, special forces, civil affairs, etc.," said McCain, R-Ariz. "There are very strong differences of opinion between myself and Secretary Rumsfeld on that issue."

When asked if Rumsfeld was a liability to the Bush administration, McCain responded: "The president can decide that, not me."

McCain, a decorated Navy veteran and former Vietnam prisoner of war, is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (news - web sites), which has oversight of military operations and considerable influence over the Pentagon (news - web sites) budget.

If Senate Republicans maintain their majority two years from now, McCain would be in line to become the committee's chairman, something he said he'd weigh when considering whether to run for president again.

"In a couple of years I might give it some consideration, but not right now," he said of a 2008 presidential bid.

Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita said McCain "has frequently expressed his views regarding troop levels in Iraq, and he is an important member" of the committee.

Rumsfeld has "relied upon the judgment of the military commanders to determine what force levels are appropriate for the situation at hand," Di Rita said.

Despite the troop levels, McCain believes military morale remains high, but he acknowledged that involuntary extensions of tours of duty were frustrating to soldiers.

He said Iraq must have a functioning independent government before U.S. troops leave.

"I believe we'll be in Iraq militarily for many years, which would not be a problem to the American people," he said. "I think what is not acceptable to the American people is an increasing flow of dead and wounded."

[Pcm979]

Senator McCain of Naboo calls for a vote of no-confidence in Supreme Chancellor Rumsfeld?

[Pablo Sanchez]

"In a couple of years I might give it some consideration, but not right now," he said of a 2008 presidential bid.

When he ran in 2000 he wasn't well known enough to defeat the Golden Boy, but that campaign established him as a national personality, and in the last 4 years, he's only gotten more popular. I think McCain is probably the most universally respected politician in America today, and barring some unanticipatible occurrence between now and then, he definitely ought to be the GOP candidate in 2008. I still think the party leadership is more likely to try and run some neoconservative troglodyte who will keep staying the course, though.

Rumsfeld has "relied upon the judgment of the military commanders to determine what force levels are appropriate for the situation at hand," Di Rita said.

Oh, the fuck he has.

[Aaron]

Rumsfeld has "relied upon the judgment of the military commanders to determine what force levels are appropriate for the situation at hand," Di Rita said.

Too bad he isn't actually listening to them. I think Iraq has definitvely proved that you can't do war on the cheap.

[Trogdor]

"In a couple of years I might give it some consideration, but not right now," he said of a 2008 presidential bid.

When he ran in 2000 he wasn't well known enough to defeat the Golden Boy, but that campaign established him as a national personality, and in the last 4 years, he's only gotten more popular. I think McCain is probably the most universally respected politician in America today, and barring some unanticipatible occurrence between now and then, he definitely ought to be the GOP candidate in 2008. I still think the party leadership is more likely to try and run some neoconservative troglodyte who will keep staying the course, though.

Maybe the GOP would run McCain, maybe they wouldn't. He's more moderate than most of the GOP seems to be these days, but he is very popular, and they know it (hell, even Bush knows it). It's hard to say, really.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Rumsfeld has "relied upon the judgment of the military commanders to determine what force levels are appropriate for the situation at hand," Di Rita said.

Oh, the fuck he has.

Like Shineski?

[Pcm979]

Rumsfeld has "relied upon the judgment of the military commanders to determine what force levels are appropriate for the situation at hand," Di Rita said.

Hrm.

You know, I remember from way back in Primary School, during an assembly a teacher told us how bad it was to 'Pass the ball" I.E. blame someone else for your mistakes.

It appears the U.S. SecDef missed that particular lesson.

[Stravo]

McCain may be the most respected politician in many people's eyes but it certainly didn't matter when certain red states were called during his last run for the nomination and the Republican voters were told he had a black child.

There's no way in hell he's getting the nominiation. He was nearly blacklisted when he went against Bush even though the party had all but crowned the fucker on his Ranch in Texas at the beginning of primary season.

[Patrick Degan]

Besides, McCain had his chance in 2000. By 2008, he'll be a touch too old to look like a viable candidate and still too sane and intelligent to suit the present GOP machine.

[Pablo Sanchez]

McCain may be the most respected politician in many people's eyes but it certainly didn't matter when certain red states were called during his last run for the nomination and the Republican voters were told he had a black child.

I hate that fucking story. The guy adopts a Bangladeshi kid and the Rove machine twists it around to kill his votes in the South. The fuckers who thought of that should be beaten until they vomit up their livers.

There's no way in hell he's getting the nominiation. He was nearly blacklisted when he went against Bush even though the party had all but crowned the fucker on his Ranch in Texas at the beginning of primary season.

I said he ought to get the nomination, not that he would. Some empty suit with a Club for Growth endorsement and name recognition will get the nod.

[Illuminatus Primus]

I really wouldn't feel bad at all if that loathesome, disgusting con man got hit by a bus tomorrow.

Actually, I'd celebrate.

[Aaron]

I really wouldn't feel bad at all if that loathesome, disgusting con man got hit by a bus tomorrow.

Actually, I'd celebrate.

MCain or Rumbag?

[Imperial Overlord]

Or Rove?

[Jalinth]

Or Rove?

I think Rove is the better target. Rummy might be questionable in terms of competency, but is he really vile? Rove - well, his conducting of Bush's election campaign pretty much tells the story on this one. I can see why GOPers do not want to cross this guy; if you do, you'll find yourself on the outside looking in towards the bulldozer about to pay you a visit.

[Durandal]

Or Rove?

I think Rove is the better target. Rummy might be questionable in terms of competency, but is he really vile?

Yes.

[Aaron]

Or Rove?

I think Rove is the better target. Rummy might be questionable in terms of competency, but is he really vile?

The man has consistantly refused to reienforce the Iraqi operation, what do you think? Would you enjoy being in combat without the forces needed for victory?

[Imperial Overlord]

I was just stating a possibility for Illuminatus's quote. Both are vile, both are disgusting, but when I hear con man I tend to think more Rove than Rummy. Of course, both those fuckers are completely dishonest so it is hard to say.

[Axis Kast]

McCain will not get the GOP nod. Especially now, when he's going to be seen as shooting his own team in the ass. And I think McCain knows it, too. He's not a "good soldier." In fact, that's part of his appeal to the people - unfortunately for him, it will never translate into a vote of faith by the RNC. George Bush was a "good soldier." And so he won the nod.

[Imperial Overlord]

Conversely, McCain shut up and soldiered on giving support for Bush in 2004 after the nasty stuff that was done to him in 2000 by the Bushites. So he's supported Bush, but not to the hilt and he's critiqued him, but backed his run for office. He's not in a good place.

[Gil Hamilton]

Huh, Senator McCain found his spine again. I thought he lost it permenantly after the the 2004 election.

[HemlockGrey]

Rumsfeld and Rove are both despicable, but Rove is actively evil. Rumsfeld is a stubborn, blame-dodging little shit with the competance of Rufus T. Firefly, but Rove actively destroys people's lives to further his own career.

[Illuminatus Primus]

I really wouldn't feel bad at all if that loathesome, disgusting con man got hit by a bus tomorrow.

Actually, I'd celebrate.

MCain or Rumbag?

Rove. Rove really is a conman.

[Coyote]

McCain won't get nominated because he isn't enough of a radical Christian rightist. He won't pull the Fundamentalist "base". It is a failing of the Western brand of Republicans, which are different from the Eastern brand-- conservative on financial issues, but when it comes to social issues, is fairly liberal.

I've heard a lot of dyed-in-the-wool Democrats say they'd vote for McCain-- that means he's too broad-based to appeal to his own party, which will insist on some Fundy Fucktard that makes the haters feel warm & fuzzy in their pants.

Western democrats also tend to be a different breed-- typically pro-gun-rights, for example. These Centrist pols, both Rep and Dem, in the West need to pool their resources and develop a new Centralist Party. I bet they'd get a lot of response and push the other parties into their respective corners.

[Illuminatus Primus]

That West trend isn't something I considered before. Its true.

[White Haven]

That would kick so very, very much ass...