If Rummy resigned a week ago, before the election, would you still have voted for the democrats?
970102
uh, yeah...  lol- that's just a good excuse for the republicans IMHO to blame their losses on an unpopular president with a habit of misstruths lying.
836616
Hmmm,  maybe this will clarify matters. After the 2004 election a bunch of Republicans started getting 'uppity,' they  defied Bush denouncing him as a lame-duck President out of touch with the Republican Party.  Bush butted heads with many of them and proclaimed a 'stay the course' policy loudly yelping that Rumsfield would stay on to the end of Bush's second term.  'Angry' voters turned against the Republicans, many of them the very same ones who had challenged Bush's power.  The 'Democrats' seized power.  But here is the amusing part.  The Democrats are not unified, many have their eyes on winning the Presidency in 2008, which truly scrambles ones loyalty.  Guess who these leaderless Democrats will have to turn to?   Yep, Geo W......    I loathe the smarmy rat and his evil puppet master Karl Rove but they are true political geniuses.  And do note, Rumsfield left on schedule, After the Election, after his presence scuttled several Republican's chances to win.   And who was one of the winners, newly independent Bush buddy Joe Lieberman....\n Bush scored big on November 7th and slowly it will dawn on political pundits.   (Actually Dan Rather has already figured it out )\n\nPeace...
491363
I voted for Bush.  I am disillusioned in some ways, but I don't apologize.  I think Kerry would have been worse.  I vote by issues not by party and the Democrats have to come up with someone sincere before I will vote for them.  They are too into 'slick' lately. It is hard to get a handle on where someone so slick is coming from and whether they actually have any convictions, at all.  In the last election it was very much a matter of 'the Devil you know...'\n\nI do my homework before elections, and vote my conscience.  I think the concept of 'apologizing' for one's vote if you do that is ridiculous.
539992
We'd still be hearing Rush screaming about it today if the Liberals had stolen the election instead of the Republicans.\n\nAnd then, if the Dems had stolen the next election as well, like the GOP did, boy oh boy would they be crying foul.
846337
you are correct , it would have definately helped in the close races , i think republicans would definately have the senate if he would have made the announcement sooner . In my opinion he did this for 2 reasons , 1. he would have never let rumsfeld go if republicans would have won senate and the house . 2. he has always had the majority of the military behind him and he would have done this before elections many of the military would have seen it as a politicol move and he would have lost their respect which was his reason that he stated wed. morning
768303
I don't believe she changed her mind. The newly elected dems decided who they wanted and didn't vote for her choices.  She is going to have major problems getting her far left liberal ideas to fly with many of the newly elected more moderate dems.
144718
Obviously very far. They acted like defiant children at the State of the Union, which I found extremly distasteful especially because of the times. We need to be united right now not fighting over stupid crap. Personally I'm a moderate but after seeing them at the State of the Union I lost a lot of respect for the Democrats. So right now I'd say they would do anything short of murder to win power back.
783823
If he was gone 1 year ago, it might have made a difference. 3 weeks ago, the results would have been the same. Bush has no strategy other than to lie, make excuses, and blame others. He even lied about wanting to keep Rumsfeld.
994320
I'm a lifelong democrat and I'll tell you right now - theres NO WAY... NO WAY IN HEAVEN OR HELL I'D EVER EVER EVERY VOTE FOR HILARY CLINTON... I'LL VOTE GOP (THE THOUGHT SICKENS ME) BEFORE I VOTE FOR HER.  DEMS BETTER GET THEIR S TOGETHER NOW!
907617
Yes, he gave them the concrete wrongdoing many Democrats based their campaigns on, even more than Bush at some points.\n\nWithout him, it would have been a lot harder for the Dems to point their fingers at the Bush Administration.
972391
Let's see, Rummy ran away, (not sure why he resigned,) Cheney has become nearly invisible (have you seen him lately ?) It would have to be a tie between those two. I almost feel sorry for Bush at this point. It LOOKS like he's left holding the bag, so to speak. \np.s. - I don't recall "you" being an option. People on here are testy today.
760098
Agreed.  If Diebold was such a big issue, and the Dems were screaming about it days before the election, with their win, why are they not curious to know if their own win had anything to do with it.  Hell, I'm not about to cry voter fraud, but I will say its hypocritical to only whine and complain about fraud only if you lose.  Reps were respectable today, Bush was nice to Pelosi, and everyone is stepping down quietly.  I only wish the Dems would have done the same in the past
704815
It was already planned a week ago.  If the Demo's won, he was out.  If the Republicans retained power, he was to stay.
1029704
I voted Kerry, but I had voted for Dean in the primary and wish he had won the nomination.\n\nIf I had it to do again, of course I would vote Kerry in the main election (assuming I couldn't rally enough friends to change the Democratic primary results), but I would also take two particular friends with me to vote for President and let them experience the political process (I later found out that they had never voted for anyone, in any election).\n\nIn the meantime, I have a sign in my window reading "Impeach Bush," and I can only hope that my dearest wish will come true...\n\nor that at least our VP will resign over shame for his stances, his policies, oh, and for shooting someone in the face...and that Bush will find himself a far less efficient instrument for the radical right without his puppeteer in the wings.\n\nSorry, but I needed to let out some frustration there. Thanks for listening. Good question.
808566
He's stepping down, now because the republicans lost the midterms. With the democrats in power, there could be all kinds of investigations and hearings in regard to the Iraqi war. Rumsfield would probably still have a job if republicans had faired better in the elections. Although, if the Bush Admin was in fact planing to get rid of Rumsfield no matter what and he resigned two weeks ago as you suggest the media would have had 2 weeks of field days. With none stop debate and commentary about it, for example: "Are Republicans responding to poor poll numbers by forcing Rumsfield's resignation?" or "Obviously a last ditch effort to save the elections" or "Once praised by Pres Bush, Rumsfield resigns" "Rumsfield resigns, due to Iraq war miss-steps?"  and on on on. And all people hear is Republican, President Bush, poor handling of the war, poor poll numbers, Rumsfield resigning. Doesn't look good, even if you support the resignation. One must also consider the Pro-War Republican base that supported Rumsfield retaining his office. It's never a good idea to piss over the base of your party just two weeks before an election, especially if poll numbers are low and voter turn out is vital. \n\nHowever, in hindsight perhaps your right, considering the election results. HOw much worse could it have been for the Republicans?
770535
Rummy should have been replaced at least two years ago.  I don't hate Rumsfeld.  I think he'd be a great grandfather, but he wasn't a good secretary of defense.
1107580
If the election was today, maybe.  It would probably be a pretty even split at this point, but the Democrats may have a slight edge today.  Politics, like the weather, changes every five minutes.  Republicans will reunite and place 100% of support behind their selection.  Democrats will fracture and split then end up with the "one that won, not the one we want" candidate.  We won't really know who is going to win until November 2008.  But this is gonna be a fun election.  There'll be more skeletons, scandals, mud slinging, and hate talk than any election before.  It's gonna be a wild ride and I plan on getting there early and getting a good seat.