The Rumsfeld Departure

It was probably necessary for Donald Rumsfeld to go. As a true American patriot, emboldened by the attempt to stop Islamic Jihadists on their own turf, Rumsfeld was viewed as a polarizing figure with a single-minded determination rarely seen in American politics today. The realm of politics is not usually kind to patriots with convictions, values, goals, determination, and grit.

Thus, a person who became the focal point of much of the negative rhetoric about the war was increasingly viewed as a liability, not to mention the fact that our present crisis of control over the insurgents gave rise to the perception that it was time for new leadership.

Some pundits have suggested that Bush made a gross miscalculation in not replacing Rumsfeld in August or September so that it would help Republican prospects of retaining Congress. Bill O'Reilly is one of the leading critics of the timing of Rumsfeld's departure.

I am not going to speculate on such musings for the simple reason that decisions like this during wartime should not be made for political gain. The timing is not an issue.

The real issue is who is replacing Rumsfeld and the circumstances that led to this person's choice as Secretary of Defense.

Gates has served several Administrations and is a close confidante of Bush the elder. He is also part of the inner circle that includes James Baker, who is heading the Iraq Study Group that is charged with the task of making recommendations to the President on how to bring the war to an acceptable conclusion. Baker is purely a pragmatist who may well make recommendations that are designed to save the President's political hide rather than to do the right thing.

I have been suspicious of Baker going all the way back to the Reagan Presidency, when Baker's loyalty to the 'Reagan Revolution' was questioned. In addition, Baker's role in the Administration of Bush the elder is suspect, given the fact that it was their tactical error in failing to depose Saddam during the first Gulf War that led to the present problem in the region. Baker wants to emphasize diplomacy, advocating for the inclusion of Iran of all places in such talks.

The mere suggestion that Iran should be included in diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end makes the entire enterprise of the Iraq Study Group suspect. It is for this reason that Gates is a questionable choice for Secretary of Defense. We are facing global Jihad. I do not see any willingness of this study group to truly take seriously the threat posed by the Jihadists.

Therefore, I am highly skeptical of the entire scenario. Only time will tell if my suspicions are given credence.

At this point, I can only say that Americans owe a great debt to Mr. Rumsfeld for his admirable service to his country. Here's one who hates to see him go.