(Tom Harkin)Democrat Calls for Rumsfeld to Resign

[maddezmom]

By SONYA ROSS, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A Democratic senator became the first in Congress to demand Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation over the U.S. military's abuse of Iraqi prisoners, but the White House reaffirmed President Bush (news - web sites)'s support of the embattled Cabinet officer.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, demanded Rumsfeld's ouster "for the good of our country, the safety of our troops, and our image around the globe."


"If he does not resign forthwith, the president should fire him," said Harkin, whose statement came as White House spokesman Scott McClellan said President Bush "absolutely" wants his defense secretary to remain in office.


"The president very much appreciates the job Secretary Rumsfeld is doing and the president has great confidence in his leadership," said McClellan. The spokesman declined to characterize Bush's comments to Rumsfeld in a private conversation between the two men on Wednesday, though another Bush aide said the president had given his Cabinet officer a "mild rebuke."

~snip~

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=716&e=1&u=/ap/20040506/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/rumsfeld_under_fire

Let's all hope this starts the call from other dems and repubs!! Way to go Tom Harkin.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. And the calls contniue

now we need a war crimes tribunal to convene

[wicket]

2. Alright Tom Harkin!!!

Let's hope more follow suit, Rumsfeld needs to go!

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. When was the last time bush admitted he was wrong?

They will retain this jerk just to spite everyone. This stubborn wise ass attitude will be the downfall of bush.

[maddezmom]

4. House Democrats Seek Rumsfeld's Ouster-Pelosi

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday accused Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld of a cover-up in the scandal over abused Iraqi prisoners and said he should resign.

"I think that Mr. Rumsfeld should step down," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California told reporters. "Mr. Rumsfeld has been engaged in a cover-up from the start on this issue," she said.


Sen. Tom Harkin (news, bio, voting record), an Iowa Democrat, echoed her call. "For the good of our country, the safety of our troops and our image around the globe, Secretary Rumsfeld should resign. If he does not resign forthwith, the president should fire him," he said.


Top Republicans in the House dismissed the resignation calls, and most lawmakers said it was too early to fix blame for the abuses.


Rumsfeld was to testify on Friday before the Senate Armed Services Committee (news - web sites) in an appearance at which some lawmakers said his job could be in the balance.


Asked if Rumsfeld should resign, Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat, said: "I think it will be determined on his testimony. We ought to listen to him."


"I think the overall issues, obviously, are the issues of accountability and responsibility and the extent of all of this," Kennedy said. "Is this the tip of the iceberg or the whole thing?" ~snip~
more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=1278&e=2&u=/nm/20040506/ts_nm/iraq_congress_rumsfeld_dc

!

[davidinalameda]

11. you go girl!

need to call her office and thank her

I am so glad that I moved back to San Francisco and she's my rep again

[bearfan454]

5. Harken backed the bill that gave bush a STINGING DEFEAT

in the overtime kill bill. Way to go Tom Harkin !

[liberalnurse]

8. Harkins should be the current

Senate Minority Leader because he will excel as our next Majority Leader!

[Voltaire99]

6. A Democrat worthy of the name!

Harkin's pale colleagues could learn much from him.

[bearfan454]

7. kick

.

[maddezmom]

9. The Congressional Black Caucus calls for resignation

The Congressional Black Caucus (news - web sites), all Democrats, also called for his resignation, and Rep. Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, said Rumsfeld should be impeached if Bush does not fire him.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&ncid=1278&e=5&u=/nm/20040506/pl_nm/iraq_congress_rumsfeld_dc

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. The tide has finally turned

Alleluia!

[goclark]

18. Thank You My Brothers and Sisters!

I heard many of the Black Caucus members speak on CSPAN this afternoon. They were really kicking!!

Keep um coming my Brothers and Sisters, keep it coming.
We want to show the world what justice is about,out with Rummy and all of his Chummys.:toast:

[wubbathompson]

12. Does anyone really think that Bush would fire Rumsfeld

We need to focus our attention elsewhere. No matter how much anyone bitches it would never happen.

[maddezmom]

13. you focus where you want...I think the dems should focus on rummy

and then bush* :)

[wubbathompson]

15. I agree

we should go after him to an extent, but nothing will come from this. I'd prefer to see our attacks leveled at Shrub, but thats just my two cents

[Tellurian]

14. Why let John Asscroft investigate? Calls for a Special Prosecutor!!

This Fox and the hen house thing is getting pretty old isn't it?

Why isn't there a call for an Independent Prosecutor?

[maddezmom]

16. U.S. Muslims Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation

U.S. Muslims Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation; CAIR Says Defense Secretary Should Put Nation's Interests First

35 minutes ago





To: National Desk


Contact: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, [e-mail], or Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, [e-mail], both of the Council on American-Islamic Relations


WASHINGTON, May 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to "put America's interests first" by resigning over his handling of the growing prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq (news - web sites).


That request by the Washington-based Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) came following further revelations of mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners held by American military personnel.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=669&ncid=669&e=1&u=/usnw/20040506/pl_usnw/u_s__muslims_call_for_rumsfeld_s_resignation__cair_says_defense_secretary_should_put_nation_s_interests_first159_xml

[maddezmom]

17. kick

:kick: