Rumsfeld Transcript (11-19-2001)

Fox News ^ | Monday, November 19, 2001 | DOD

[SpottedBeaver]

DONALD RUMSFELD/SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Good afternoon. The campaign against terrorism continues. As you all know, the opposition forces in Afghanistan, with a good deal of help from the coalition forces, had made good progress last week. Our immediate military objectives remain the destruction of the Al Qaeda network, the Taliban leadership and the end of Afghanistan as a place where terrorists are harbored.

[SpottedBeaver]

Thank you Rumsfeld. And have a nice holiday FR.

[SpottedBeaver]

Sabertooth
I just found the transcript to the press conference first mentioned by RooRoobird and you pinged me.

"World class thumb-sucker"

[SpottedBeaver]

indexing for Rumsfeld.

[headsonpikes]

"World-class thumb-sucker" bump. lol

[Congressman Billybob]

There are few things more refreshing than a press conference by a person who is at the end of his career, doesn't have to suck up to anyone for advancement later, knows what he is doing, and does not suffer fools gladly. Every Rummy press conference glistens with that take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

And as for the reward money, I add two words: Jesse James.

James was never captured by the police who were after him. He was shot in the back while hanging a picture, by one of his associates -- for the reward money. One way or the other, it will soon be over for bin Laden and Mullah Omar. The surviving Taliban will be disarmed. There will be few Al Qaeda who survive.

Then the question will be, who's next? It's looking more and more like Saddam Hussein is the opponent in Round II, and his recent delegation of authority to his sons, Psycho and Path, will be useful in that regard.

We put some money on the table, we quietly tell the few, surviving, sane Iraqi Generals that we'd be delighted if power did not shift to Pshcho and Path, and that all will be well if our experts (screw the UN) get to poke around and "remove a few things" from Saddam's ABC labs and factories.

Keep in mind that one of Hitler's best Gemerals, Rommel, was a leader of the plot to assassinate Hitler. When the plot failed, Rommel was forced to commit suicide. This is a project in which it is all or nothing. As Lord Acton said, "You cannot cross a chasm in two small leaps." :p>I look for Round II to consist of a clean assassination of Saddam, followed by a relatively blood-free military takeover, followed by an open and prosperous Iraq becoming a "friend" of the US.

Congressman Billybob

[riri]

I hope they take out that smelly fu**er Tariq Aziz too...I can´t stand that vile little creature.

On a more serious note...I hope we are in the process of building ways to deal with these lunatics with some foresight. Not necessarily including bombs...just some clean assasinations and some friendly puppet governments.

[Hipixs]

Rummy bump

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks. I was glued to my seat!

[Hipixs]

President Bush makes remarks to the media during his Cabinet meeting at the White House Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, in Washington. From top to bottom are Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Commerce Secretary Don Evans. Others in photo are unidentified. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
- Nov 19 5:31 PM ET

	President Bush, center, smiles during his Cabinet meeting at the White House Monday Nov. 19, 2001 in Washington. From left to right are Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Commerce Secretary Don Evans. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) - Nov 19 5:25 PM ET
	A map of Afghanistan hangs in the background as President George W. Bush speaks at the end of a cabinet meeting at the White House, November 19, 2001. Bush said the "noose was beginning to narrow" on Osama Bin Laden. Bush is flanked by Secretary of State Colin Powell on the left and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R). At far left is Interior Secretary Gale Norton. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Nov 19 5:10 PM ET
	President Bush gestures as he makes remarks to members of the media during his cabinet meeting at the White House Monday Nov. 19, 2001 in Washington. Sitting with Bush are from left to right: Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) - Nov 19 4:54 PM ET
	Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld answers a reporter's question during his daily briefing at the Pentagon, November 19, 2001. Rumsfeld warned the United Nations and Afghan rebels not to allow Taliban and al Qaeda hard-liners to negotiate flight from Afghanistan to 'make their mischief' elsewhere. (William Philpott/Reuters) - Nov 19 3:40 PM ET
	U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld answers a reporter's question during his daily briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, November 19, 2001. Rumsfeld said the United States is still actively looking for Osama bin-Laden. REUTERS/William Philpott - Nov 19 2:15 PM ET
	U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld answers a reporter's question during his daily briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, November 19, 2001. Rumsfeld said the United States is still actively looking for Osama bin-Laden. REUTERS/William Philpott

[BunnySlippers]

"World class thumb-sucker"

Would that be the Washington Post newsman ... I'm assuming the guy with the white hair and pinched face ... always with a look of distain.

[dixiechick2000]

Bumping for later enjoyment...

[barker]

Bumping for later enjoyment...

Me too. Rummy's press conferences are a delight to listen to. He always seems to get the mix just right.

[Hipixs]

Rumsfeld news briefing to be rebroadcast on CSPAN at 09:48 pm EST

[Miss Marple]

Another great press briefing by the master!!

[RummyChick]

What's with the shoes questions? If it was Dashle, I could understand 'cause we want to see the height of the lifts but I don't understand why the serious ego- inflated press corps is asking about shoes

[Utah Girl]

Thanks for the ping. I loved the thumb-sucker comment. Donald Rumsfield is just too cool.

[jackbill]

QUESTION: Only one at a time? Is that $25 million per -- you have to turn in three?

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: Is it for each one?

RUMSFELD:When I see you in your camouflage suit, I will give you the details.

The last question here was from a "reporterette". I lost it with Rummy's answer. This guy is tops. And the reporters will soon learn not to ask stupid questions.

[Hipixs]

What's with the shoes questions? If it was Dashle, I could understand 'cause we want to see the height of the lifts but I don't understand why the serious ego- inflated press corps is asking about shoes

The shoe comment probably refers to the Parade cover article Sunday about Rummy. The author mentioned that:

"He works standing up, even when he writes, in pencil, covering every inch of a yellow-lined pad. There is no chair behind his desk; he wears hiking shoes with his suits."

[SpottedBeaver]

Would that be the Washington Post newsman

It is the Washington Post newsman. I don't know what he looks like, because I was unable to watch it today.

[SpottedBeaver]

Thanks for the pix and the time it will be rebroadcast. I will be able to actually see it now.