Jim Matheson, the Democratic representative from Utah's 2nd District, has called for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.
"Look, I'm ready to see him go," Matheson said Wednesday during a taped debate on KTVX with Republican challenger State Rep. LaVar Christensen.
While multiple Democrats called for Rumsfeld's resignation earlier this fall, Matheson resisted. Utah is a heavily Republican state where support for President Bush and the war in Iraq runs high.
Matheson's district went for Bush by a whopping 35% in 2004, Bush won there 66%-31% over John Kerry. I believe if Matheson is ready to come out and say this right before an election, he must be very confident in victory and the unpopularity of Rumsfeld.
"I've just talked to a lot of troops and I think it's clear that it is time for a change," Matheson said. "This is from listening to the troops, listening to what a lot of retired generals are saying, and I think everyone would benefit from a change in strategy."
This war is not working, even Matheson gets it. This is big news that will hopefully be picked up in the media. Matheson may not be a friend to progressives, but this is a demonstration that the unpopularity of the President and his ruinous foreign policy has reached even beet-Red America.
Every hint of evidence has pointed to this being a watershed Democratic year, even perennial targets like Matheson can speak out against Republicans.