There were several great questions at Rummy/Pace press conference

[pacalo]

You can find the video at c-span.org & I'll provide the queue points.


The one getting the most attention here is the "Why should we believe you?" question. This question clearly rattled Rumsfeld. If you look at his stunned facial expression as he called on another reporter, it's clear that he was fuming. (Video point: 18:49}

There was another question that was just as good, in which a WTOP Radio guy asked a 2-part question -- first part about Iraq, second directed to Rumsfeld, which is the following (8:47):

There have been 4 generals in one month who have called for your head, so to speak. Now that you have become a catalyst of criticism of the war, do you think you’re hurting the cause by staying on?

Rumsfeld allowed Gen. Pace to answer the first question, then completely dodged the second part by calling on another reporter.

[BOSSHOG]

1. I don't understand why he even goes through the motions

He doesn't want to deal with those evil liberal reporters. Just send your Generals out Don. You ain't gaining anything by being yourself.

[immoderate]

2. Three reasons: Ego, ego, and -- uhm, ego.

Then he can say, "I answered your questions."

--IMM

[pacalo]

4. He dodged the question about whether or not his staying on hurt

"the cause".

He is the cause -- the neocon cause, that is.

[immoderate]

8. But by appearing, he can claim he answered questions.

Just a bit of self delusion, but he'll think that he wasn't hiding.

--IMM

[pacalo]

3. He's such a pompous ass. And, judging by his reactions to

contentious questions, I think the chickenhawk is a coward.

[BOSSHOG]

5. I will give him just a tad bit of credit

He did serve in the Navy and the Naval Reserve. He did not have any combat time but he did serve his country and I will give him a hearty salute for that.

[reichstag911]

7. He's harmed it far more than he served it;

had I the comfort of believing in the heaven/hell fairy tale, I'd relish his ultimate fate.

[pacalo]

9. I'm shocked. Didn't know that.

[MadisonProgressive]

6. Rumsfeld talks about 'contingency plans'

but the reporter asked him about 'drawing up war plans'. What a lying sack-o-shit.