Timing is right for Rumsfeld to leave, locals say

Analysis:

This Grand Rapids Press story ran the day after the White House announced that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was stepping down. The only sources cited in the story are Representatives Hoekstra and Ehlers, and Senator Carl Levin. Hoekstra and Ehlers respond directly to the resignation, with no commentary about Rumsfeld’s tenure at the DoD. Why did the Press omit any commentary from an independent sources? There is reference in Hoekstra’s comments that if Rumsfeld had resigned earlier the Republicans would have done better in the election. Is Hoekstra implying that voters were unhappy about the war in Iraq? If so, what about Rumsfeld’s position would voters have disagreed with? There is mention that Levin “sees no reason not to move forward with the process of confirming Gates as the next secretary of defense during the lame-duck congressional session.” This is the only comment about Gates, therefore the Press provides no background on the nominee to succeed Rumsfeld.

Story:

If Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned six months ago, it might have cushioned electoral losses among Republicans, said U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland.

But Hoekstra is glad President Bush didn’t oust the controversial architect of his Iraq war policy — a man who is “not very open to criticism,” Hoekstra said — immediately before Tuesday’s midterm election.

“Doing it shortly before an election, I think would have been inappropriate,” said Hoekstra, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee until a new Democratic majority takes control of that chamber in January.

“I’ve met with our men and women overseas. The last thing you want to do is give them any indication they’re part of a political football.”

Bush announced Wednesday he would accept Rumsfeld’s resignation and nominate former CIA Director Robert Gates to the post. Rumsfeld has held the job six years. The announcement came after Republicans lost control of the U.S. House and Senate.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin said Wednesday that as long as all the “groundwork has been laid,” he sees no reason not to move forward with the process of confirming Gates as the next secretary of defense during the lame-duck congressional session.

Levin is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will conduct Gates’ confirmation hearing. If the committee approves Gates, the final confirmation vote would go to the full Senate.

Rumsfeld’s resignation signals a retreat from Bush’s position — restated just a week before the election — that the defense secretary was a “smart, tough, capable administrator” and would remain. Rumsfeld has been criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for mistakes in handling the Iraq war, especially for not sending in enough troops to quell a growing insurgency.

U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers believes “it’s time for a change” in the important post.

“It was more than time to get new perspectives in there,” said Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids. “That’s not saying anything against Rumsfeld. He’s a very capable guy. Six years is a long time in a job like that and it really can wear on you.”

Ehlers said he doesn’t know much about Gates, but would be surprised “if Gates did not take a different direction. I think clearly he will come forward with some new ideas.”

The resignation took Republicans by surprise, said Hoekstra, especially since the president had so recently affirmed his support for Rumsfeld.

“A lot of members weren’t all that excited” to hear the president support Rumsfeld, Hoekstra said.

“Why are you injecting Donald Rumsfeld into the campaign five to 10 days before an election?”