Donald Rumsfeld - another chapter or the end?

The current resounding calls for the resignation of donald Rumsfeld come at an inooportune time. The calls should have gained momentum long ago, but were kept in check by the limitations on the number of generals allowed to retire and leave their services in Iraq. That period is now over, and thus, former generals who have worked under Rumsfeld are able to speak publicly against him if they wish to do so. This is a good thing obviously, because no one has more credibility to speak about or even a better understanding of what damage has been done to the American troops over the last three years amidst a growing insurgency and the Abu Ghraib scandal; so, the generals' voices will be heard and indeed, should be heard.

How the situation becomes inopportune is that this is a critical point for the American administration. The administration will now look to make a public push towards getting support to sanction Iran for having joined the 'nuclear club'. This administration team would love nothing more at this point that to be infused with a new Defense Secretary who can speak to people and give them a fresh voice, style and perspective. The administration is still backing Rumsfeld as of now, but you can be sure that behind the scenes, the administration is already researching and looking into people that they can replace Rumsfeld with. This is definitely seen as a chance to put a stronger, less battled out soldier next to the President.

The President himself is able to appear on TV and at in public fora only with Condoleeza Rice at this point. Both Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld have lost too much credibility and although they still command important positions, they bring more heat to the Presdient if there are pictures and video footage of them together. Its the same way that Republican leadership hopefuls have shied away from appearing in public with George Bush. It never helps if you appear in public with questionable characters. Hence, a new Defense secretary is exactly what the United States needs right about now. If the US administration is to be successful at punishing Iran either with strikes or sanctions, it needs the President to have two senior aides at his side sounding the alarm with him - Condoleeza fills one spot and Rumsfeld would prove a liability in the other.

Personally, I view these calls for Rumsfeld's resignation as partially strategically timed- from both within the military and the US administration. Moreover, I am dead certain, that in the coming months, or maybe even weeks, we will be introduced to a new US Defense Secretary. Whom he or she will be is a matter of speculation for now.

On the other hand, this is Donald Rumsfeld we are speaking about. He is not an elected official, and his position is in the hands of only one person, the person that stands to lose the most if Rumsfeld is fired - George Bush. He would lose the most because axeing Rumsfeld would be seen as an admission of a misshapen haphazard war strategy, one political blunder after another and indeed, as an admission that things have indeed gone quite differently from what was planned. Which they have mind you, but its all a matter of perception.

This is a guy that has been around since the days of Richard Nixon, he has fought and withstood many a political firestorm- he is a battle-hardy bull, he's not nice and he's even worse when other people are not nice to him. Rumsfeld might well defy my prediction. If anyone is able to weather such a storm, it is him. I hate to say that, but I remain the consumate realist.

Related Link: Calls for Rumsfeld Resignation Grow (BBC)