|
Tuesday, 21 November 2006 15:03 |
 In one of the first direct results from the Nov. 7 elections, Donald Rumsfeld has resigned as secretary of defense.
We hope that this decision will presage a new, more accountable direction in foreign policy and the basic responsiveness of government.
That Rumsfeld was a divisive figure is beyond question. His abrasive personal style did not exactly help matters in a era when Americaës relationships with other nations were already strained.
Furthermore,
Rumsfeld repeatedly ignored calls from military commanders for more
troops and different tactics, beginning with retired Gen. Eric
Shinsekiës assertions that far more troops would be needed to hold Iraq
than originally planned and continuing through his failure to stop
looting and his tacit approval of cruel and counterproductive
interrogation tactics.
Rumsfeldës
repeated insistence on his way or the highway, even if his way went
against the facts of the situation, is a textbook case of bad
management ÇƒÓ one that many American soldiers and Iraqi civilians have
paid dearly for in the last three years, as violence and instability
has risen in that country.
Increasingly
over the past year, calls for Rumsfeldës resignation have come from
across the political spectrum, from many retired generals, including
former commanders in the Middle East and from intelligence experts and
diplomats.
Recently, in an unprecendented step, the Army, Navy and Air Force Times all called for Rumsfeldës resignation.
However, until
Nov. 8, President Bush had repeatedly asserted his confidence in
Rumsfeldës approach and swore he would keep him through the end of his
term.
Apparently, the Democratsë taking of both House and Senate changed his mind.
If this is a
step towards greater accountability in government, in insistence on
efficiency and results rather than lockstep political loyalty as the
criteria for holding a cabinet position, then we applaud it. With Iraq
already in a desperate situation, such a common-sense perspective is
sorely needed.
Rumsfeldës
nominated replacement, Robert Gates, is an unknown factor. All eyes
will be on him to see
if this is a real change, or if the new boss is
just the same as the old boss.
|
