Whitehouse Urges Chafee to Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation

August 30, 2006

Whitehouse Urges Chafee to Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation
Letter Cites Comments Attacking Opponents of Iraq War

Cranston, R.I. - In a letter sent today to Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Sheldon Whitehouse expressed disappointment at Chafee's failure on several occasions to join him in calling for Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld to step down over the disastrous conduct of the war in Iraq. In an address to the American Legion's national convention yesterday, Secretary Rumsfeld attacked opponents of the Bush Administration's policy in Iraq, claiming that they suffer from "moral or intellectual confusion" and are trying to "appease" a "new type of fascism."

"In light of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's disparaging remarks about opponents of the war in Iraq, I am writing to express my continuing disappointment at your failure to join me in calling for his resignation," Whitehouse said. "The Secretary's attack on his critics is just the most recent example of his unwillingness or inability to take responsibility for the shortcomings of the administration's mismanagement of the war, and a clear indication that we need new leadership at the Department of Defense."

Lincoln Chafee has steadfastly refused to hold Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld accountable for his inability to properly plan and execute America's war effort. During an interview in April, Chafee balked at the prospect of calling for Rumsfeld's resignation, saying, "Everybody ultimately is judged by their performance, and the performance has been very poor. But it's the president's choice." [Associated Press, 4/21/06]

Asked again whether Rumsfeld should be fired, during his first debate with Steve Laffey, Chafee replied, "The President is going to make his choice on Secretary Rumsfeld." And just last week in the first televised GOP primary debate, Chafee said, "Mayor Laffey criticized me for not calling for Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation as he has, and I guess that by saying that job is not going well in Iraq and Secretary Rumsfeld should step down, that maybe vindicates my vote against the war in Iraq." [WHJJ Arlene Violet Show, 8/10/06; WPRI/Providence Journal Debate, 8/23/06]

See below for the full text of the letter.

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Paid for and authorized by Whitehouse ‘06

August 30, 2006

The Honorable Lincoln Chafee
141A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Chafee:

In light of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's disparaging remarks about opponents of the war in Iraq, I am writing to express my continuing disappointment at your failure to join me in calling for his resignation. You and I both agree that this war is a mistake and should not have been fought in the first place. However, I, along with many Rhode Islanders, have become increasingly dismayed by the deference you have shown toward the Bush Administration's conduct of the war since it began. Over three costly years after our invasion of Iraq, it is long past time to send a clear message that Secretary Rumsfeld's comments and job performance are unacceptable.

As you know, yesterday, in an address to the American Legion's national convention, Secretary Rumsfeld attacked opponents of the Bush Administration's Iraq policy, claiming that they suffer from "moral or intellectual confusion" and are trying to "appease" a "new type of fascism." Questioning the character of those with dissenting views is a crassly political move - though, sadly, one we've come to expect from this administration - that will do nothing to change the situation on the ground in Iraq.

Secretary Rumsfeld's comments demonstrate that he is more capable of attacking his opponents than of answering tough questions about how to change direction in Iraq. The conduct of the war under Secretary Rumsfeld has been characterized by failure in planning, failure to properly equip our troops, and failure to tolerate scrutiny or questioning of any kind. In fact, Secretary Rumsfeld's performance has been so poor that a group of esteemed former generals has felt compelled to take the unusual step of publicly calling for him to step down. The Secretary's attack on his critics is just the most recent example of his unwillingness or inability to take responsibility for the shortcomings of the administration's mismanagement of the war, and a clear indication that we need new leadership at the Department of Defense.

To send a clear message to the Bush Administration that neither continued inaction nor disgraceful political attacks is an acceptable approach to the challenges we face in Iraq, I urge you to call for Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation. Your further delay to do so will only contribute to the perpetuation of a dangerous, failed strategy.

Sincerely,

Sheldon Whitehouse

http://www.whitehouseforsenate.com/?page_id=296