Rep. Schwartz Says Rummy Should Resign

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz has called on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to resign. She joins a growing choir of people insisting he be made accountable for his many failures. We lost the Iraq War because of his failures in decision making and policy. Had he developed some sort of plan for the post invasion occupation or used enough troops early on to quell the insurgency things might have been different. He also authorized the inhumane treatment and torture of prisoners and obviously condoned murder and rape by the troops. All these contributed to the sustained increases in violence in the country and fatalities for our troops and Iraqi citizens in the civil war.

Ms. Schwartz's statement:

"Over the last four years, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been
responsible for the conduct of our war in Iraq. His misjudgments and
miscalculations have led to a conflict that has worsened in the three years
since President Bush declared 'mission accomplished.'

"The United States has enemies and those enemies must be hunted down and
destroyed. Our Armed Services are up to that task. Unfortunately, our
Secretary of Defense is not.

"Secretary Rumsfeld has executed this war with no plan for Iraq beyond the
initial invasion. He has blatantly rejected sound advice and guidance from
experienced generals, Middle East experts, troops on the ground and
respected members of Congress from both political parties.

"From his failure to prepare the military for an extended deployment with
sufficient personnel and equipment, to his decision to disband the Iraqi
military after the war, to his uncompromising adherence to a failed
strategy, he has demonstrated that he does not grasp the challenges facing
our nation or our troops.

"Mr. Rumsfeld's management of the war has emboldened and strengthened our
enemies. And, his recent character attacks against Americans who question
his conduct undermines the very freedoms he has sworn to protect.

"Our nation is at war. Mr. Rumsfeld's failed leadership, his unyielding
adherence to the policies of the extreme right wing, his total lack of
respect for his own generals, and his callous disrespect for those who want
a honest discussion about this war have proven he cannot properly conduct
this war, nor does he have the leadership capabilities necessary to complete
this mission successfully.

"Our country needs a new direction in Iraq. If Mr. Rumsfeld wants what is
best for our nation, he will immediately tender his resignation as Secretary
of Defense."