As is his pattern, Bush doesn't have the guts or strength to fire another incompetent.
The replacement is former CIA head Robert Gates.
He says the announcement comes now, after the election, because he "didn't want to inject politics into the decision."
You can laugh now.
One reporter asked, since Cheney shared Rumsfeld's attitudes for most things, did Bush still support Cheney? Bush replied, "One Hundred percent."
On the election:
"The elections were close, but the cumulative effect-- It was a thumpin. But nevertheless, people expect us to work together."
"This isn't my first rodeo. Not my first campaign"
Should we expect a different Bush in the whitehouse.
Terror is still an important priority. The economy and no child left behind are important priorities.
Bush denies parrallel between Iraq and Viet Nam war. "We have a volunteer army, people support the army."
On Rove:
"I obviously was working harder on the campaign than he was."
"In this line of work you get criticized from all sides. And that's okay. It's part of the job."
"In Sugarland (Tom DeLay's former district)... I'm not sure Iraq had much to do with that election."
"I had a very gracious conversation with congresswoman Pelosi."
Question: Given that you said you were surprised by the election, does that show that you were out of touch with Americans interests?
I'm an optimistic person. I knew we were going to lose seats. I didn't know how many. I thought the american people would understand the importance of taxes and the importance of security. But now it's time to move on.
