McCain: 'No Confidence' in Rumsfeld

Yahoo! News ^ | BETH DeFALCO, Associated Press

[Tarpaulin]

PHOENIX - U.S. Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) said Monday that he has "no confidence" in Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, citing Rumsfeld's handling of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) and the failure to send more troops.

McCain, speaking to The Associated Press in an hourlong interview, said his comments were not a call for Rumsfeld's resignation, explaining that President Bush (news - web sites) "can have the team that he wants around him."

"I have strenuously argued for larger troop numbers in Iraq, including the right kind of troops — linguists, special forces, civil affairs, etc.," said McCain, R-Ariz. "There are very strong differences of opinion between myself and Secretary Rumsfeld on that issue."

When asked if Rumsfeld was a liability to the Bush administration, McCain responded: "The president can decide that, not me."

[Prime Choice]

Looks like someone forgot to take his Republican pills (again).

[wideawake]

When asked if he could recommend someone else for the job, the Senator responded: "Absolutely. Charles Keating would be one sterling candidate, for starters."

[Rokke]

McCain is a jackass. Last time I checked the Military leaders in theater were the experts on how many troops they wanted. And every time they've asked for more, they've gotten them.

[lilylangtree]

Rummy's done a great job. The lack of confidence has, is and always will be in McCain, a demoncRAT wearing a pubby title.

[asp1]

I have more confidence in Rumsfeld than I do in McCain. McCain is an odd duck.

[BykrBayb]

"There are very strong differences of opinion between myself and Secretary Rumsfeld on that issue."

My opinion of Rummy just went up another notch.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

U.S. Sen. John McCain said Monday that he has "no confidence" in Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

That actually might've stung a bit, coming from a Republican. :)

[Always Right]

I have no confidence is McCain, so there.

[Patrick1]

McCain playing to the press..I'm shocked.

[azsportsterman]

Well, as an Arizona resident, I have no confidence in McCain. I've tried to tell him so, but I don't think he can hear me from so far away.

[newgeezer]

I guess we don't have to be concerned about McStain getting nominated to any cabinet positions.

One 'position' for him comes to mind, though...

[Marine Inspector]

Well Senator, I agree with you, but I have no confidence in you either, so what's your point?

[West Coast Conservative]

Thanks for giving the Dems some new talking points, McCain. And he expects Republicans to support him in '08?

[ZULU]

Yeah, well, I have "no confidence" in McCain. If there was ever a western RINO - this guy is it.

I'd rather see Hildabeast in the White House before him.

[MeanWestTexan]

Please, please, please do some AZ ground work into getting this idiot a primary opponent.

[Bikers4Bush]

What a coincidence, the vast majority of conservatives have no confidence in McCain.

[CompGeek]

Actually, instead of a knee-jerk reaction to McCain's opinion, I think we should all reflect on what should've or could've gone better in Iraq. Also, What is wrong with McCain's call for more specialized troops?

[Thebaddog]

For about thirty minutes in 1999, it looked like McCain might be a serious presidential candidate. I thought about the prospects and firmly rejected him as an option for my vote at the time. He's way to farking independent and its a shame to say it, but the years as a POW made him a hero but not a politician in the party sense of the word. I don't think that either party could count on his loyalty for more than one vote.

[Lowell]

So this Jerk (beat him with a McCain) would ignore the advice of his field commanders and push more people into the area?