Today Donald Rumsfeld committed political suicide on national television. CNN and MSNBC televised the event live [
http://pentagonchannel.feedroom.com/...] but don't have transcripts or video up yet. Rumsfeld's games with the press (chiding reporters, rephrasing questions, using false logic to belittle or ignore concerns) may have seemed funny or cute to Middle America when folks thought we had a plan, or an actual rationale or ... anything in Iraq. Now his act makes him look at best out of touch, and at worst, cruel.
What is Rumsfeld (and the Bush administration) thinking? Telling reporters to "back off" or "relax" about concerns won't slow down the questions. Telling reporters that they will be able to file their stories about Iraq and "everyone will have a good time" will disgust and enrage Americans watching our casualty rate skyrocket. Can anyone say "independent voters"? I really don't understand what the Bush administration thought it could accomplish with this press conference. Are they sacrificing Rumsfeld? Are they attempting to show that he's "engaged"? Was this press conference supposed to show that the president is flexible? Was it supposed to reach base voters? Independents? I really don't know.
If I'm confused, imagine the terror in Republican campaign headquarters across the country. The Bush and Rumsfeld shows of the past couple of days will keep Iraq on the front page at least through the end of this week. No Republican will be able to run fast enough or far enough to escape Iraq. Once reporters (and Dems) get through dissecting this press conference (and Rumsfeld), I would be surprised if he lasts one week after the election. I really don't understand the logic behind this administration move, but I encourage Democrats to use it to show that we know better and will do better than this. This is a first-time diary so any comments on the style, substance, or DKos propriety of what I write here will be appreciated.