Their shit is officially imploding today!!

It sounds like Robert Gates is going to take his place. Looks like they want to get him into the position while the Republicans still have a majority.

It sounds like Robert Gates is going to take his place. Looks like they want to get him into the position while the Republicans still have a majority.

It's like an early birthday/christmas present. I'm so giddy.

How is the Defense Secretary chosen? With the elections ending, won't any decision made by the senate or house no longer be "while the Republicans still have a majority"?

Either way, muthafuckin' WOOT!

listening to Bush discuss this is fucking hilarious! what a tool. someone still needs to kill bush.

The President picks, the Senate confirms. If Webb holds up in VA, the Dems have a majority, but there's no chance of blocking Gates, as right-wing Dems like Ben Nelson will vote to confirm anyone Bush nominates. But it will be fun to watch them feel their oats a little.

I think Rummie had a little help with his resignation letter. I'll betcha it was Howard Baker's pen.

As the president just said:

"While we are adjusting, we will continue to adjust."

Indeed, shrub. Indeed.

If he tries to shove through Gates before the handover, the democrats should filibuster.

More quotable quotes:

"It was a thumpin`"

yee-haw.

Shall we pass a resolution to mark the occasion? From this day forth...

Rumsfeld must stay at least 4 feet away from other persons.

Rumsfeld must refrain from conducting any of his business in private rooms.

And, for God's sake, keep the bright lights on whenever he's around.

Rummy's a little bit of red meat thrown over the side to keep the wolves from his own throat. Thus we see whether loyalty or self-interest is stronger in the Chimperor. I think we have our answer on that. He's a sop to appease the Democrats - "See, I'm being all bi-partisan and shit!" Now we'll see if Smirkster gets all peevish when that proves to not be enough to keep us quiet.

Bush is liberated. He went against the advice of Cheney to keep Rumsfeld. Laura wanted him gone, his dad always wanted him gone. We're going to see a better, and humble, GWB as he works with Pelosi and the Democrats for a staged withdrawal from Iraq but that doesn't leave that fledgling democracy hanging.

I'm not sure former CIA director Robert Gates, close personal colleague of Bush 41, is much reason to celebrate, but the change is definitely bracing.

'As the iceberg labeled ITMFA slowly makes its way towards the USS Lameduck Executive, the first rat was spotted jumping overboard. The captian was heard to mumble "Dick. Bush. Thumping. Santorum. Upset. Big mess." No word yet on if the captian will jump ship or face the iceberg head-on'

I don't know much about this Gates dude. Anyone care to fill me in?

Despite what Sean said, Gates is a moderate. He's served under a bunch of presidential administrations, and is the only person in CIA history to rise from a grunt-level operative to become the director of the agency.

He's certainly not a progressive, but compared to Rumsfeld, he's a left-wing nut.

Rumsfeld's a fucking coward--this is the best thing that could happen to him. Bush is letting him scurry away to avoid having to face up to... Nancy Pelosi? Perhaps all the Bush men see or seem is but a bubble within a bubble.

Holy Moses! I just found out that bit of news!!

Maybe there actually IS a God...

So, it seems as everyone who has Shrub's "full support" ends up getting thrown overboard shortly after. Judging from today's news conference, can we now expect Cheney to resign by Christmas? Personally, I'd put in the realm of possibility, since the Democratic controlled House and Senate will want to investigate numerous Cheney deals from the past 6 years. Having Cheney out as VP will give Shrub some plausible deniability, as well as give a new VP (Condi, McCain?) a srong launching pad for an '08 candidacy.

He'll never get rid of Cheney. Dick's his life insurance policy.