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Rumsfeld Resigned Before Midterm Elections

Iraq not mentioned; GOP critics seize on Bush inaction

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 15, 2007 5:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Donald Rumsfeld's resignation letter, obtained by Reuters, shows he told President Bush of his departure as defense secretary one day before the 2006 congressional elections; though Bush saw the letter on Election Day, the White House didn't announce the decision until the day after polls closed. Republicans warned the delay was likely costly in an election in which the public voted its discontent over the Iraq war.

Rumsfeld, a key architect of the campaign and frequent target of the war's critics, did not mention the war explicitly in his letter, instead praising the president and American troops. "One of the things the president wanted to avoid was the appearance of trying to make this a political decision," a Bush spokeswoman said.

In this photo provided by Magnolia Pictures, U.S. President George W. Bush briefs the press next to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (left) and Vice President Richard Cheney (right) outside Washington... (Associated Press)

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing to discuss the death of... (Associated Press)

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrives at St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2007 to attend the funeral service for Jack Valenti. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Associated Press)

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Rumsfeld Resigned Before Midterm Elections

Iraq not mentioned; GOP critics seize on Bush inaction

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Karl Rove: Poor Handling of Iraq War Was My Fault

In memoir, Bush aide regrets not defending war to public harder

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Forces were undermanned, and planning was shoddy

Snow Sets Departure Date

After weeks of rumors, press secretary will step down next month

White House to Ghostwrite Surge Report

Think Progress blogger furious over detail hidden in LA Times

Bush Loses Brain

Top strategist Rove says he'll step down at end of month

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Rumsfeld Resigned Before Midterm Elections

Iraq not mentioned; GOP critics seize on Bush inaction

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Links

Bush administration • Donald Rumsfeld • White House • resignation • Iraq war • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Karl Rove: Poor Handling of Iraq War Was My Fault

In memoir, Bush aide regrets not defending war to public harder

Army Historians Fault Early Afghan War Strategy

Forces were undermanned, and planning was shoddy

Snow Sets Departure Date

After weeks of rumors, press secretary will step down next month

White House to Ghostwrite Surge Report

Think Progress blogger furious over detail hidden in LA Times

Bush Loses Brain

Top strategist Rove says he'll step down at end of month

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?