Rumsfeld resigns post
By Rachana Dixit, news editor
Posted on November 9, 2006

President Bush announced Wednesday afternoon the resignation of United States Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who served in the president’s cabinet for the past six years.

With the midterm elections having just ended, Bush made the announcement at a White House news conference that former CIA director Robert Gates would replace Rumsfeld.

Bush said he and Rumsfeld both agreed that a fresh perspective was needed, despite the fact that the president made it clear last week that Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney would remain in office after the elections.

“He and I both agreed that it was appropriate that I accept his resignation,” Bush said.

Bush also acknowledged that he thinks the War in Iraq, which Rumsfeld was a main architect of, has not been going as well as planned.

“Iraq is not working well enough, fast enough,” he said.

However, he also expressed satisfaction with Rumsfeld’s work as an administrator, saying he “has been a superb leader in a time of change” and is “deeply grateful for his service to our country.”

Rumsfeld made brief remarks several hours after the initial announcement. He said he has been thankful to serve in Bush’s cabinet.

As he spoke, he said a Winston Churchill statement came to mind about the past six years as defense secretary. The quote, he said, was something to the effect of, “I have benefited greatly from criticism, and no time have I lacked thereof.”

In addition, Rumsfeld spoke about soldiers in Iraq, saying their “patriotism is truly an inspiration.”

“They will remain in my prayers,” he said.

Robert Gates, who has 25 years of national security experience, is currently the president of Texas A&M University. He joined the CIA in 1966 and served as deputy CIA director from 1986 to 1989.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reacted to Rumsfeld’s resignation and Gates’ nomination Wednesday afternoon from his offices in Phoenix.

“[Rumsfeld] deserves respect and the gratitude of the nation,” McCain said. He also pledged to work as efficiently as possible with Gates to win the war in Iraq, and he will discuss increasing the size of the Army and the Marine Corps.

“Victory is still attainable in Iraq,” he said.

Though it is unclear when Rumsfeld will be leaving the Pentagon, Gates will now go through confirmation hearings in the newly elected Senate before a possible appointment.