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Rumsfeld resigns, fomer CIA director Robert Gates picked to replace him.
The boy king is a bit petulant this morning in his press conference. Like all little boys in the GOP, it is killing him to have to say the words SPEAKER PELOSI.
Update: Pach says "Bush just admitted he lied to the press last week when he said Rumsfeld was safe. Basically said he knew what he was going to do in making the change, but waited until after the election. I'm sure the troops who died in the last week are comforted."
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Thank God he didn’t appoint Liebermann.
ewww – a bush that tries to ingratiate himself with the press corp is even more repulsive than the old bush
When the President asks in a news conference, “Do you think I’m nuts?”, it’s a very special day in Washington.
Anyone heard from Darth Cheney today?
Chimpy repeating himself…enough already.
Jane! Paintin’ our nation blue… sure beats vandalizing Angelyne billboards.
So long, Rummy. You won’t be missed.
Rumsfeld quits: democracy in action.
No change on Iraq. “If the goal is success, we can work together.” Shorter: Do what I say.
He’s busy shredding evidence.
Just an amazing amazing day.
I just hope C&L has tape of the presser up later… NPR is not broadcasting this. At 1:00 they were, however, playing the Albinoni Adagio, music to slit your wrists to…
Pinch me cause I must be dreaming… :-)
thank god they didn’t tap Lieberman…
no surprise they chose an old bush family crony, though.
I think what we have here is a failure of the imagination.
DEEP TRANSFORMATION…MORE TO COME
scory @
4
shooting himself in the face???
Now a former head of
tortureCIA will be Sec Def. Nothing new here, move along.All this talk by the chimp about working together….I smell a Rat named Rover planning something. Rover is back up against a wall. I am sure a drunk chimp reamed his fat arze last night.
And the House and Senate come back to DC tomorrow to finish up all the unfinished work of this Congressional session, like all the appropriations bills.
Now the Senate gets to add confirmation hearings on top if it all. Armed Services Committee, get those questions ready!
He’s unhinged today. I can’t believe that he asked the press corpse if they thought he was nuts.
I wish someone, anyone had answered in the affirmative.
What was it that Colbert said about the Hindenburg? Oh, the humanity!
Oh, now dems are going to suport the troops!
Does the phrase “Cut and Run” ring any bells. Please, please, please will someone make that a talking point….
:-)
Good background on Gates’ role in Iran-Contra:
FAS background on Gates
OT. But I just saw Dean’s photo as I was walking upstairs. Let’s give a Shoutout for Vermont: Leahy, Dean, and now Bernie Sanders! Plus they are a responsible state without alot of local resources.
hey All,
Don’t know if you noticed, but the Wyoming Rep. race still has not been called, and in my life of living in WY, I’ve never seen results take this long.
Just speculation, but if anybody is wondering about magician Karl Rove and his whereabouts…
A VA win for Webb puts Levin? in charge of old Phase II investigation Roberts had stalled for months…remember when Reid shut down the Senate?
Curiouser and curiouser…is the figurative head of Rumsfield a hopeful peace offering to stave off the hardcore investigations pending?
scory @ 4
I liked how the reporters laughed in response. We know what many of them are thinking.
He’s taking Ken Mehlman to go hunting.
So, Unitary Decider Man appointed the former CIA head to be SecDef. Makes sense that Bush needs to do this now, during the lame duck session – otherwise, he may not be able to get his pick confirmed.
What a glorious day of victory in the US. At least we’re heading in the right direction.
He’s going to the Nam next week. Unreal!
Regarding Speaker Pelosi, I just made a congratulatory bumper sticker. Apologies for the shameless plug, but the “putting food on my family” need is still there. And although it was clearly the right thing to do, my husband turning down the chance to do freelance computer animation for an anti-minimum wage increase ad didn’t help us in that regard.
Marion in Savannah @ 11 go to the NPR homepage. They have a link at the top to stream it.
“I’m trying to get the Indian deal done, and the Vietnam deal done…” what the hell is he talking about?
And now someone compares Iraq to Nam explicitly in a question.
The wheels are coming off. Why aren’t Rove’s guys ending this fiasco? He’s losing his touch. The emperor is naked on national TV and now everyone sees it.
Lieberman is worth more to them as a stealth ally, and he’d be a fool to leave a 6 year post. To preside over the official loss of Iraq? Get real.
Watching the Bush press conf. – defensive, petulant, angry – same ‘ol Bushie.
WTF is Carl Rove doing in the audience? Is that SOP?
raven @ 26
About thirty-five years late.
“In this volunteer Army the tropps understand”. . unlike us dopes in Vietnam!
Bush sounds completely out of sync with reality.
Best Lines so far: “I don’t know how it seeped into the American public’s conscience that we were about stay the course.” – Bush
“I knew you were going to try to start to get me to negotiate with myself.”
Oh, and now Bush is trying to spin out differences between Iraq and Vietnam. Ha ha. What a poor showing for Yale and its history department for graduating this loser.
Oh, and Iraq’s not in a civil war. That whole Pentagon slide scale towards “chaos”? Uh, that was under Rumsfeld and he’s not there anymore.
More babbling. More grunting. Bush agitated and unhappy. Is Iraq Vietnam? Bush: no. Iraq, constitution, elections. We have a volunteer army. Reenlistment rates are up, Huh? Not a civil war. (Do you really expect a coherent strategy if he can’t admit this?)
Wyo Nate @
24
Hi there Wyo Nate. Good name!
Pelosi to the Ringwrath Rumsfield. I AM NO MAN!!
Did he just throw Rove under the bus? Man, what a tiny little petulant whiny bitch.
How many signing statements are there?
Bush paraphrase: I put off making executive decisions about Iraq because of the elections. I play politics with important decisions like national security and the safety and lives of Americans. Getting votes is more important than doing my job.
Best friend just called me by cell phone to tell me about Rumsfeld.
The neighbors must think I’m completely whacked out because I was jumping up and down and screaming inside my car in my own driveway.
WAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!
One more neo-con bastard down!!!
Where’s my pitchfork and torch???!!!
Re Rove: I was working harder on the campaign than he was. Rove, Rove’s back, Bush’s knife. Get together and discuss.
Chimpy just said Rover wasn’t working as hard as he was on the election….hehehe said the idiot press corp….they still think Rover is important…LOSERS
man, he is toast
Bill @ 22
Bush must really be out to gut the constitution, if he’s bringing in Iran-Contra figures to bolster his
monarchyadministration.The questions from that confirmation hearing are going to be quite something . . .
OT: Today’s Salon article on Faux’s through-the-looking-glass coverage of the elections contained the following bit of snark aimed at a person much beloved at FDL:
Presented for your enjoyment on this day of days.
source: http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/fe….._election/
Harkin on Gates in 1991, when Gates was up for Director of CIA.
CYA kind of guy? Using threat of Loserman as back-up, will he get in?
The Sun’s reporter just plastered his lips smack on Bush’s ass. Ugh.
“I obviously worked harder on the campaign than he did.” Was he talking about Rove?
I would give anything to have been a fly on the wall in the WH last night.
Like all bullies who turn around and see that their posse has deserted him, he has nowhere to run and has to face the people he wronged alone.
“Work with Democrat leaders…”
I want to slap him.
HeirofPatriots @ 28
Thanks for the tip, but I’m at work and can’t do that. My radio they can’t take away from me! (They strongly discourage streaming video, eats up too much network juice or steals bandwidth from kittens or something…) I’ll just have to fidget and hope that C&L has it up when I get home.
He just slammed Rove “I’ve been working on the election harder than he has…”
And now he seems happier. Guess he can’t torture frogs for stress relief during a news conference.
It was a good night. Now it’s a great day!!!!! Tester has been declared the official winner over soon to be indicted Burns!! The only way this day gets any better is finding out Cheney’s body was found in a open field somewhere w/ one shell expended.
Um, the Shrub really does appear to have lost his mind with the nomination of Gates. From Wikipedia:
They better plan the confirmation hearing really d*mn fast, because Gates has dirt on which there is no statute of limitations.
I gotcher pitchfork and torch right here, Rayne!
No more torture, no more war!
Wyo Nate @
24
Oops… Clicked submit too fast. Wanted to say, “good points” as well. I’ve been wondering about some of the behind the scenes backstory going on and why Rummy is running away SO fast.
Can we say, “Flight from prosecution?”
Hayduke @ 36
Priceless, Hayduke. A comment for the ages!
Rove just went under the Bush.
Ya know, I’ll believe that Bush believes in working with the Democratic Party when he starts calling them by their right f*cking name. Until then, he just another partisan, Republican slimeball (but I’m being redundant).
complainin’ and ’splainin about Foley’s seat.
chimpy said he had to go to sugarland…..he said Iraq had nothing to do with it….
he threw DeLAy under the bus…bWAAHAHAHAHHA
“I’m not sure that Iraq had anything to do with the results of the election.”
He’s really, really losing touch with reality. Now he’s trying to analyse the election, but all he knows for sure is that he’s really, really angry.
This is the first Bush press conference I have been able to watch, because he is just so irritated and unhappy today. And it’s making me so very happy.
Gotta go back to the TV now. Tee hee hee!
Tester takes Montana. One more to go for control of the Senate.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponlin…..enate.html
Can anyone imagine being a troop in Iraq watching the president of your country today? I feel so sad and sorry for them. I think there may be a village in Vietnam just waiting for him. Before that bus goes off the cliff. lets hope there aren’t any empty seats.
Bill @ 22
I’m glad you brought that up. Some of us still remember, even though the senile Commander in Chief at the time was able (quite convincingly) to claim that he did not. This is no lily to grow on the shitpile Rummy leaves behind. Clark is in deep with the military industrial complex from way back. Hiding out in academia might fool everyone, though. Are ya’ll fooled?
Grunt, avoid gridlock. No child left behind, tax cuts, and this was the bipartisan stuff. Right.
Jonathan Alter on the Al Franken show just now. Alter said he asked Conyers about impeachment. Conyers said that they need some probing investigations and he will see where that takes us.
Jane, Christy and roots!
Testor wins MT, and we’re gonna win VA!
Ladies, take a bow and enjoy this momement – you done good!
And given the reverse-Oedipal thing Bush has going on and his need for Stepford Women,,,
say Speaker Pelosi, bitch!
Funny how this time Bush didn’t turn down the offer. I wonder what made him change his mind….
Oh yeah. THAT. :^)
That Pelosi bumper sticker needs to go on ebay!@!
Hello Nate,
Watching Murtha basically tell Keith and Matthews basically, “Damn straight there will be investigations” has got to have the Empire on the verge of soiling their lacy underwear!
Im from the Pennsylvania T and I’m pretty insulted that he doesn’t think that iraq was *THE ISSUE* for the voters in my hometown
Listen clear: you try to recruit people from my hometown more vigerously than most city ghettos: stop.killing.my.friends.
Yes, we fucking cared about our friends dying, did altmire win due to a GOTV effort? YES, did casey? hell no. fucking prick.
I’m at work….is there a tube link of the bush clearing anywhere….
Ending dependency on foreign oil, Bush, Cheney.
Which of these does not belong in this group?
chimpy said we need bipartisan coop on energy…OH REALLY
How come Darth Cheney’s meetings were closed and then covered-up
JohnSwifty @ 63
Gates I mean. Lord, I wish it were Wes Clark!
Maybe he’ll fly into Tan Son Nhut in a fighter and catch a SAM.
ccmask @ 62
ccmask go to msnbc!
Richmond @
23
Why thank you! Happy to help.
they want to get Gates through the senate while it’s still in GOP hands.
OK, OK… settle down. Rumsfeld is out, so Poppy’s boys can take charge: Robert Gates takes over at defense so he can implement the James Baker group’s recommendation for a new, “winnning” strategery in Iraq. Bush uses this to show he’s flexible, but nothing changes. Plus, he’s got the DINOS — Lieberman et al. on his side. Not to mention a bunch of other Democrats that don’t want to look non-bipartisan after their big win in the elections.
Reporter’s question: how are you going to work with the Democrats in a bipartisan manner? Many times, people claim they will, but then they just create gridlock. What will you do differently?
Bush’s answer: I’m going to make the Democrats do whatever I want, and of course they will do it.
He’s really in denial that he’s a lame duck, eh? Has no clue that he’s no longer in charge of all branches of government.
Ohhhh SNAP!
Who is that guy?
that’s a thumpin’ without a G.
Hilarious.
How could you not know?
Priceless.
Donald Rumsfeld cut and run!
Will Mean Jean Schmidt speak out against Rumsfeld on the floor of the HOuse? Will you, will you, Jean?
I was convinced that Bush was going to announce RGJoe as Rummy’s replacement to add a Senator to the R column.
Guess George just isn’t that into you, Joe.
I just don’t believe that Bush was going to let Rumsfeld “quit” before the election..
I believe that this decision was made by Bush handlers when it was clear that they were going to loose the House.
These are people who are horribly in denial and really, really believed that there was not a chance that they could loose.
Bush sounded like he had just sucked on a lemon.
This presser is amazing. The man is spitting rageful and faking a smile through jokes that don’t work.
Of COURSE he lied about Rummy. But the real lie was that he was considering dumping Rummy last week. had the repukes prevailed yesterday, Rummy would not be resigning.
Anybody who doesn’t believe that is stupid.
Masters of War
Bob Dylan
Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin’
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people’s blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You’ve thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I’m young
You might say I’m unlearned
But there’s one thing I know
Though I’m younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death’ll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand o’er your grave
‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead
Marion in Savannah @ 11
I listened to the presser streamed on Minnesota Public Radio–KNOW 91.1.
does nancy pelosi look like bob bullock to you?
I LOVE THAT GUY!!!
angie @ 81
Angie… Who was that reporter?
A&M academia. . .I guess.
JohnSwifty @ 74
Didn’t anyone watch the presser? Did he have sunglasses on?
Yes, that’s thumpin’.
Guess he was just fact checkin’…
Ending dependency on foreign oil, Bush, Cheney.
Which of these does not belong in this group?
On?
Bush says he wasn’t out of touch but he didn’t think he would lose yesterday.
Do y’all hear that? Shreaders working overtime in the DOD.
everybody, you can WATCH it if you go to http://www.msnbc.com !!!
angie @ 81
Actually I’d say yesterday was a thumpin’ without a T. But my mind is in the gutter.
Thanks Bonzarelli!
Did he just say the people DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANTANCE OF SECURITY?
bye bye G. calling it.
ccmask @ 71
MSNBC live feeds from their site
Guitar_Playing_Bastard @ 87
Yes, but he pretty much admitted he was lying. That’s not a good thing for someone who’s trying to project the image of a straight shooter.
Guitar_Playing_Bastard @ 99
LOL!!!!
Damnit! That made me spit coffee on my monitor.
hot british reporter RULES!
Alterman on Gates
Don’t be sendin’ me a cleaning bill, m’kay?
bonzarella @ 105
WOLF w/ bet be on with KEITH tonight!
bonzarella @ 105
Will SOMEONE please tell me that reporters name?
The guy just stood up, brushed off Bushie’s stupid frat-boy jokes and asked him point blank, are you out of touch with America?
Bush is seeing a lot of common ground with Dems. Wonder why he couldn’t see any of this for 6 years?
Presser ends.
Guns and drugs and terrorist, oh my!
Nate @ 109
name and phone number, please :)
Nate @ 91
I don’t know, Nate. I am sure we will see this on youtube, though.
Hilarious.
Gates is also an incompetant shit….. when at CIA he completely missed impending implosion of the old Soviet Union. Hes just another in a long line of tea bagging toadies for the Bush family.
Nate @ 108
richard wolf — newsweek i think!
And Tweety weighs in with his first observation about Bush’s presser.
“Bush was very clear!”
This idiot just cannot drop his GOP Shill skin can he?
On NBC, Gates is a member of the Baker-Hamilton Iraq study group.
H/T to Cozumel for calling Gates first. :)
i heart jane @ 115
I think you are right. Frequent guest on KO!
IMHO spewer:
Bush: “..trying to win on a write off ..er.. trying to win on a write-in..”
BWAHAHAHAHA!!! truer words…
When you stand up in front of a bunch of reporters and tell them to their faces you lied to them, you may encounter some hostility. – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
bonzarella @ 105
Richard [last name?] from Newsweek. He’s on Countdown a lot.
angie @ 52
It’s going to be a long road back angie, the big chit was habeas corpus and I don’t see that monumental gaff being rectified soon. Perhaps if Cheney is declared an enemy combatant and waterboarded for all his dirty little secrets; maybe then the fools will understand that door swings both ways. But, honestly, we wouldn’t want that, would we. That’s like the old Sagan line about nuclear armament, “Two people in a room up to their waists in gasoline and hoarding matches.” Individual freedoms are NOT political trading cards.
JohnSwifty @ 74
The only people willing to take this job right now are those who are already sufficiently damaged that this looks like an opportunuty to rehab their careers.
Wes Clark is not in this category. Few are.
Goodbye, Rummy, you arrogant moron. Go screw something up that doesn’t affect our country’s security for a while.
Guitar Playing Bastard,
LOL, you keep your mind in the gutter, it’s obviously right where it belongs.
Did Tweety just say that Bush went against Cheney and canned Rummy?
Russert: Bush clearly re evaluating his policy toward Iraq.
Funny, what I heard was that Bush wanted victory, success, did not want to leave before the job was done, etc.
Favorite headline so far, timesonline.co.uk:
US Elections: Rumsfeld’s head rolls.
Pithy and elegant.
Fineman: “This GB needs the help of the first GB to get out of this mess” OK, I paraphrase slightly.
Tweety now says, “Bush is ready to be ‘partners’ with the Democratic House of Representatives.”
Could someone please explain some basic civics to that moron. Bush works for US! We The People!
And the House of Representatives is THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE! We’re not his “partners”. We’re his damn bosses!
crick @ 124
Wes Clark is not in this category. Few are.
Good Point, maybe Maccaca Allen falls under this category?
If Bush was smart, sigh, he would have replaced Rummy with Wes. That would have really helped him out a whole freakin bunch.
Oh, psychologists please weigh in…current Prez has avoided Daddy like the plague and now he’s got to rely on Daddy to bail him out.
It would be terribly sad if I were in a charitable mood…but I’m not.
Rob Zuber @ 65
Damn straight. That should have been the answer all along. When they try to trap you by sking if you’re saying “elect us and we’ll impeach the President,” say “we’ll follow the investigations wherever they lead, which is Congress’ job that the GOP hasn’t been doing.” Who but a wingnut would object to that? And if anyone does, ask “so exactly what wrongdoing do you think shouldn’t be investigated?”
Impeachment will come if the public demands it based on what they can see when we turn over the rocks. The public once answered a poll saying that Bush should be impeached if he lied to get us into war. It’s time to find out if they’ll back up those words.
Bill @ 105
Thanks for that catch, Bill, was just using The Google on Gates. He’s a BFF (Bush Family Fucker).
ccmask @ 133
But that’s like giving Wes the presidency in ‘08;)
Where’s pickles today? Still campaigning?
i heart jane @ 115
Thanks IHJ. I wanna hear more from that guy!
NPR calling Gates a moderate, a technocrat. I have yet to hear anywhere a mention of the controversial aspects of his past. I suppose that you can say that the Gates nomination is a victory for the Bush I boys.
It’s a good day for Aggies too. (note: Razorbacks loathe Aggies, that’s all I know about soccer)
Hugh @ 139
I can almost gaurentee the senate WILL NOT confirm Gates, and bush will pull a stickler right before christmas
Redshift @ 135
Damn straight. That should have been the answer all along. When they try to trap you by sking if you’re saying “elect us and we’ll impeach the President,” say “we’ll follow the investigations wherever they lead, which is Congress’ job that the GOP hasn’t been doing.” Who but a wingnut would object to that? And if anyone does, ask “so exactly what wrongdoing do you think shouldn’t be investigated?”
.
AMEN REDSHIFT!!!!
“The Adults Are In Charge” Version 2.3 Service Pack 1
Just found Robert Gates resume on wiki:
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Gates attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
Nate @ 91
The White House is throwing Cheney under the bus…look for a resignation from Darth soon…..They are getting ready for 08….Rover is behind this…I can smell it
Thump! THUMP! THUMP! Looks like the ‘higher father’ guy is now forced to ‘hire’ father. That’s gonna leave a mark…
MarcLord @
126
It’s been there most of my 52 years.
I like it there.
Franco @ 146
Oooohhh Franco! hmmmmm
Until now, I didn’t appreciate just how stupid and uninformed is the airhead pretty boy anchor CNN has paired with Krya.
raven @ 92
Ahhh, obviously a Rice alum. Kudos!
herb @ 144
Let’s hope they hurry up and release the first Update/Security Patch to include the VA/Webb upgrade as well as the malicious code fix in the form of an indictment for John Doolittle.
Hugh @ 128
Surely a bipartisan compromise on the color of the drapes in the briefing room would count as “re-evaluating policy,” right?
Rummy was just delt the gin card.
LindaR @ 151
oops . . . . Kyra.
And Hastert “stepping down”, will not seek minority party leadership post…..
I want to know what’s in that Foley investigation……someone on Tweety’s show said they weren’t done naming names…..
http://time-blog.com/allen_rep….._down.html
boyndog @ 148
More coffee on the monitor.
Many, the wheels are flyin’ off the wagon as we watch, aren’t they?
Tweety is Cheney obsessive…he is trying to get the heat off the Chimp by saying it is Cheney that is in denial…Fineman says no it is the chimp and Darth Cheney!
Skeletor talking about Gates but NO mention of Iran Contra.
Did Dick’s hunting companions all return safely yesterday?
Someone better check all the local emergency rooms, cuz we know there won’t be any 911 calls.
Nate:
OT sorta but I wanted you to know how much I was (and will continue to) root for you and Charlie. I’ve despised Doolittle since he first ran when I lived in Sacto. Even my repug parents had enough.
On MSNBC, Matthews, et al, Norah is giving the Bush talking points, that Bush is acting independently, that he has rejected Cheney — this is nonsense. This is just Bush trying to rescue his presidency from near total collapse.
Matthews is asking whether Bush is willing to take on the denial of reality that he characterizes as Cheney’s view. Fineman is saying, the grownups — the “big boys” — are coming in and will have to be the ones to force Bush to accept reality.
The country now knows we have President Thumper, and the MSM now admits it’s finally okay to say so. Stand back, unless you want to get splattered with blood. EVen Andrea says “this is a rejection of the neocons.”
From AP;
And he was actually telling the truth. His term is over.
martha @ 148
Tweety is back in the tank with Chimpy….Still blaming Cheney….
Bipartisanship, compromise, cooperation, reaching out, talking with, working with, common ground: expect to hear a lot of this but the devil, in this case, is in the substance. Bush talked about talking with the Dems. That seems very vague and lame to me. I hope the Dems do in fact demand that Bush put forward compromise proposals rather than just talking about his intention to do so sometime some where.
ccmask @ 138
Restocking the liquor cabinet.
Gotta be careful about not accepting the Gates appointment. If he is rejected, THEN I expect Lieberman to be up. That eventuality must be stopped…and we only have 2 years left. Two years FILLED with investigations. The damage Gates could do cannot be worse than the damage Rummy would do if he’d stayed on. Suck it up, let him in (after bleeding him in the hearings), and investigate the living shit out of everything and everyone in the Admin.
Frank Probst @ 167
—————————————
Pickles is at the Mayflower
Barbara Bush is protecting her favorite child. She made hubby get on the phone and call all his old official peeps to help Bushboy. This must really grate on Bushboy, who has an oedipal thing about his dad.
Murtha coming up on CNN
Petulant Boy King’s Pissy Pissy Presser was swell.
_
martha @ 161
Thanks Martha… What an unbelievable race it’s been. 46% of this district voted for Charlie Brown and there is only a 32% Democratic registration here.
But know this… John Doolittle is very likely to be indicted in the next 90 days and CA Law requires a special election. I think LindaR above will vouch for the fact that there is giant progressive ground army still working for Charlie as we speak and that Charlie himself is ready to roll the moment it starts. We WILL bring that one home!
Thanks for the encouragement.
Praedor Atrebates @ 167
I agree.
Ahhh, obviously a Rice alum. Kudos!
martha @ 150
Rove has tried to shiv Cheney in the past. He made it through 2004 and then through shooting an old man in the face. I don’t see him going quietly.
did someone say Pickles ?!?!?
http://www.4english.cn/globalf……jpg/image
LindaR @
151
LindaR, he *regularly* makes me froth and scream obscenities at my television…and I think he scares the fish, they swim to the other side of the tank when he’s on.
I just recalled a few weeks ago, when I heard Cokie Roberts (I think on NPR, but i don’t remember) saying that every time the Bush family screws up, they call in “housekeeping” to clean up their messes. She mentioned that usually James Baker is the head housekeeper for the Bush family – he bailed out GHW, and now he’s come in to install his own people and try to clean up the incredible mess W has created.
There is no reason for Bush to do anything about Lieberman. With a 51-49 majority in the House, the repugs are still in control. Anytime an issue comes up that is near and dear to Bush, Lieberman just has to play the “if you don’t vote my way, I’ll switch parties” game. This effectively leaves the Senate in the control of Bush.
Thank the Democratic leadership and the wisdom of Chuck Shumer for that one. We could have had a real democrat in that office if they had thrown their support to Lamont. And we could have really had control of the Senate. Instead, they were more beholden to the Democratic version of self-interest over public interest or voters wishes.
Heckofajob Chuckie! You are almost as good at this as the Repugs are.
Franco @ 159
Matthews has always been Cheney obsessive. I’ve never understood that. Can someone more informed than I please explain it?
He’s retiring to spend more time with his skulls.
Pappa Bush’s boys have been called in to take over. Something W must be used to by now.
Wait until Gates’ history with Iran-Contra is displayed for all to see. Do these guys have any new plays? Do they really believe Gates is a “new” set of eyes?
So where’s Condolliar today?
Maybe it is time for Darth Cheney lover Scooter Libby to leak something damning about Rovers involvement in the plame affair…Hmmmmm
One can hope can’t one?
martha @ 174
I haven’t seen any serious problems with him yet. I suspect they’ll grill him and let him in.
Looks like Bush Daddy is taking over the reins!
Rove has tried to shiv Cheney in the past. He made it through 2004 and then through shooting an old man in the face. I don’t see him going quietly.
Perhaps Cheney will have a hunting accident whereby he shoots himself in the face and has to resign, avoiding any appearance that he was thrown under the same bus as Rummy.
Frank and Franco:
I agree that Cheney will not go quietly. But Rove is looking towards 2008 and trying to figure out how to turn things around and he’ll have a better chance with Cheney and Rummy gone.
Note to self: lay in GIANT stock of popcorn!
Russert pronounces that “the era of the ideologues is over.” Thanks, Tim, but speaking out so forcefully before the election that that was what was at stake.
Question:
If he appoints someone incompetent and knee-deep in Iran Contra, and who does NOT get confirmed…
How likely is it that he then has to appoint the “compromise” candidate, JOE LIEBERMAN.
AUUGH?
Nate @ 153
No matter what they do it’s still malware/bloatware.
This patch just fixes some critical security flaws associated with aspects of the NeoCon application, Cheney dependencies and the legacy Rumsfield subroutine. It enhances the softwares ability to work with the new “Bracing Shock of Reality Slapping You Upside the Head” applications.
Raven @ 175
They have a Masters program at any University in Georgia? ;-}
OT: When it’s available online, be sure to check out MD-Gov Ehrlich’s concession speech. If the quotes I heard on the way to work were accurate, it may be one of the offhandedly nastiest of the season. The report was that he said he’s talked to people (read: Republicans) who are worried about the future of the state, but he’s sure that the Republic and the state will survive.
That’s right, he didn’t say “I’m sure my opponent will do a fine job, congratulations,” he said “it’s okay, I’m sure my opponent will not cause the collapse of the state and the country.”
Frank Probst @ 175
I think the warfare between the Repubs who want to be prez would break out that much earlier if they tried to anoint somebody.
Cheney ain’t going anywhere.
LandOfTheFree @ 178
James Baker is quite the fixer, but Iraq is one hell of a mess, and I doubt he appreciates the “Jimmy Baker” attitude he’s been getting from Junior. It may be an interesting schooling.
Russert analyzing this as the father Bush finally overcoming the wrong-headed administration of the son Bush. The image of this President is declining by the minute.
When will reporters ask why Karl Rove has not be removed from the White House and all positions of influence over this President?
Patrick 4/4
I’m not sure the goal is “annoiting” a successor. It’s removing some of the negatives that caused yesterday’s debacle.
martha @ 188
Evil Genius versus Evil. Should be fun to watch. My money’s on Cheney.
Frank Probst @ 165
Someone give the gal a doobie and a soma.
Frank Probst @ 194
Send lawyers, guns and money
Dad, get me out of this.
Please, just don’t put Pickles behind the wheel of a car today.
herb @ 191
LOL… Keeping my fingers crossed that the newly released OEM Lieberman application doesn’t cause frequent system crashes. Someone needs to install a really robust anti-spyware software to monitor those processes and communications.
I guess the terrists have won.
_
Praedor Atrebates @ 168
I second that.
Also: if the WH tried a “VP McCain” maneuver, what’s AZ law on the replacement? The AZ Gov. is a Democrat. If we get to 52 Lieberman can expect to lose a lot of ground in the subsequent organizing resolution :)
ccmask @
138
~spew~
That was funny.
karen allen @ 199
Only if Chimpy is driving in the other direction.
Easy big boy, this Ed.D took alot of BS&T!
If there’s a moderator around, I think I have one caught in the spam filter.
Frank Probst @ 195
There are no good solutions anymore. The gross misunderstanding of the area by this administration CANNOT be rectified. The internal forces of Islamic conflict are already at civil war. The only question is how big the resulting killing field will be, and maybe Baker get’s to decide where it will occur. Not on the plains of Armageddon, we can hope.
It’s a good day for democracy; but it’s a bad day for what a lack of democracy has wrought. And, it will be bad days for some time to come. I have the best intentions for those who will try to quell the conflagration; whichever party they originate from.
LindaR… Still around?
Raven @ 207
I was right the first time, Kudos!
In his press appearance, Bush shows that he still doesn’t get it. He still thinks the choices on Iraq are either to get out now or stay and achieve victory. False choices both. This war was lost several years ago when US troops started treating civilians as the enemy: abusing, terrorizing and torturing. Now more than 65% believe US troops are legitimate targets and more than 75% want US troops out of their country.
Further, Bush still cannot separate the war in Iraq from our struggle to overcome radical Islamic terrorism. Getting out of Iraq is a big step to solving the latter problem.
Nate @ 173
Congrats on a great and inspiring race, Nate!
I’m waiting for round two – and looking forward to seeing y’all win.
With Cheney, they would have had to pry the Vice Presidency out of his cold dead fingers. And this would have been problematic because with Cheney how could you really tell?
Rummy was the next up and with the Pentagon and our military about as cocked up as could be imagined would anyone notice whether Rummy was there or not?
Besides, there seems to be something of a run on rats leaving the ship. Khalilzad another of the founding members of PNAC is also bailing. It’s probably as good a time as any to go.
kristinejoy: Someone give the gal a doobie and a soma.
At your service…
“Yo, Pickles…. ‘ere!
:-)
Rumsfeld Gates presser at 3
Bush says he’s not leaving until victory in Iraq, why didn’t a reporter remind him that 70% of the people in Iraq want the occupation over and to leave? Will the democrats end this occupation? perhaps they could just stop funding it. It’s also amazing that all military branches just came out asking Rummy to resign.
Since I started with a USAFI GED in 1967!
I was right the first ti
me, Kudos!
presser with Rummy and the criminal Gates at 3:30
Question -
Assuming Gates’ Iran-Contra past precludes confirmation -
If somehow Liebermann is SoD, it would just be for two years, yes?
Wouldn’t he have to give up his senate seat and wouldn’t it then be available for a new Senator from CT?
Don @ 212
Hear, hear, and agreed! But there are better and worse ways to withdraw. With what has gone before; America’s only hope at regaining some credibility in the world–even a modicum–is to find the BEST. And that may take some time, I just hope not too many more lives.
RagingGurrl @ 220
In short, yes… appointed by the Repuclican Governor…
:(
Cindy Sheehan and a group are rasing hell at the Whithouse!
herb @ 191
I put together a funny reply to this but it is apparently stuck in moderation with no moderators around Herb.
[Mod Note; refresh your screen and you might find it]
Anyone know what the timetable would look like? They couldn’t possibly do a confirmation in the lame duck, could they? Will Rummy stay on until the next session? This timing may have been politically expedient, but is it practically expedient given there is a war going on?
Sorry if this has been discussed above.
RagingGurrl @ 220
The Governor of Connecticut is Republican so Lieberman’s replacement would be Republican creating a 50-50 Senate which with Cheney to break ties would be Republican controled. The term would last until the next scheduled election which would be 2008.
Dr. Bong @ 222
Ooh. That’s not good.
Dr. Bong @ 222
And THAT is what must be avoided. Not even a chance of that happening. The CT seat would go to a Thuglican and the control of the Senate would shift back to the criminal element.
Reid needs to put a 24-hour watch on Lieberman (track his movements, phonecalls, etc) until near-future indictments can take out a few more Thuglican senators. THEN they can be replaced by Dems appointed by some of the many new Dem governors. THEN Lieberman is irrelevant and can be tossed aside like the garbage he is.
One possible up-side to Gates’ appointment is that he probably realizes that attacking Iran is a batshit idea. He’s one of Bush I’s guys, after all.
Could Wolf have Lynn Cheney back on CNN today for her thoughts? On her book, of course!
Dr. Bong @ 213
Screw pickles, someone give me a doobie and a soma. :)
good god, do you all think bush was waiting to see if lieberman lost before he announced the new dod nominee?
Lessee, what does this do to Cheney’s stovepipe and Iran?
If Gates is confirmed, and that’s a big if (one would hope that some on the Armed Services Committee would remember him well), Gates would know enough to stay well clear of intelligence with Manucher Ghobanifar’s initials on it–especially with the Dems back in charge and with a mandate to establish accountability. That doesn’t help Toad-In-The-Hole develop a case for attacking Iran.
Praedor Atrebates
And THAT is what must be avoided. Not even a chance of that happening. The CT seat would go to a Thuglican and the control of the Senate would shift back to the criminal element.
Reid needs to put a 24-hour watch on Lieberman (track his movements, phonecalls, etc) until near-future indictments can take out a few more Thuglican senators. THEN they can be replaced by Dems appointed by some of the many new Dem governors. THEN Lieberman is irrelevant and can be tossed aside like the garbage he is.
That’s astute. Why don’t we get together and call ourselves an institute! (from Paul Simon)
What struck me as I listened to the press conference (for the 1st time in 6 years) was that he sounded depressed except when he talked about the war — then he sounded petulant. I also couldn’t help noticing that he was asked at least twice (I quit listening before question time was over) “Sir, last week you said X and today you’re saying Opposite of X. Why is that?” and both times his answer boiled down “I lied to you because it was politically expedient to do so.” Right there in public and all. Yes, they do think he’s crazy. And I’m so happy.
MKK
It was worth braving the “Prez speaks” to hear “thumpin’, without a “g.” I loved it. And feckless didn’t even “git” it.
Miz Laura is meeting with her divorce attorney. It’s one thing to be married to a president and another to be married to a faux rancher from Crawford; particularly, this faux rancher.
At least he didn’t appoint Harriet what’s her name.
re: Gates
No doubt, Sen. Harkin will remember his own speech on the matter of Mr. Gates.
OT
It is so creeepy that Cheney had to go hunting on Election Day. Maybe killing helpless, small animals relieved some of his tension and anger. I wonder what a press conference with Dick H–d would be like today?
Rumsfeld is low-hanging fruit; the guy has had a target on his back for the last three years.
I want Cheney’s head on a platter.
Here’s one that you all might not know. While Gates was president of Texas A&M at College Station, the university abolished their journalism department. A few profs stayed and were absorbed into Communications. Why did they get rid of it? Well, a group of influential former students (Aggies are never referred to as alumni because once you are an Aggie you are always an Aggie, sort of joining the Mafia. Class of 93 here, btw) pressured the school to dump the department because journalism breeds liberalism. I swear I am not making this up. A major state university dumped a department because the studying that subject might result in students becoming liberals.
Anytime I start to develop warm n’ fuzzy feelings about that university, they do something that brings me back to my senses.
Just a note for those thinking about SecDef appointment(s)
According to federal law, anyone that has served on active duty in the armed forces must have been off of said active duty for AT LEAST 10 years before being eligible for appointment to the office of Secretary of Defense
This disqualifies Wes Clark, Anthony Zinni & several others people have been suggesting as a sane alternative to Field Marshall Rumsfeld so keep this in mind when thinking in this area.
“Self-mastery is the key to the portals of the universe” – Joseph W. Kittinger
Good point: In the firestorm after he shot his friend in the face his people said he liked to go hunting to relieve pressure.
Mary McCurnin @
240
darth cheney is in south dakota on a private ranch for a pheasant hunt. it’s his first hunting trip since “the incident.” interestingly, he took his daughter mary along.