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CNN: RUMSFELD TO RESIGN. "Breaking News 12:53 PM ET: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Intends to Resign, Republican Officials Told the A.P."
1pm Update: Don Rumsfeld live from Pentagon.....any moment....
Speculation Watch: Who to replace him? Gordon England is safest bet. Who would want it? Who can get confirmed?
1pm: Live to the president: Put the elections behind us and work together with the Democrats on the great issues facing this country. I also spoke to the Democrats. I told them, regardless of the final outcome, we could work together in the final two years.
Shared with [Pelosi] name of some interior decorators who can help her decorate ....
Looking forward to hear views of bipartisan Iraq Study Group....meet with them early next week.
Election does not change my main responsibility to protect the American people from attack.
Don Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of change. Also appreciates value of bringing in a fresh perspective in time of war. Trusted advisor and friend.
I have asked Bob Gates to serve as Secretary of Defense.
(WOW. Didn't see that.).
Former [Bush 41] CIA director, served six presidents. Served as member of Baker-Hamilton commission.
(Initial impression: White House is moving to embrace Realism with a big R.)
Certainly going to be new leadership in the Pentagon. Bob Gates bring a fresh perspective. Also great managerial experience. Good talk with him on Sunday in Crawford. Took me a while to sit down and visit with him and found him to be of like mind. Understands we are in global war. Important to be fresh perspective and so does Sec. Rumsfeld.
?: Last week you said Rumsfeld would be staying on.
Bush: My answer was they were goin to stay on. Didn't want to inject question about war in final days of the campaign.
I hadn't had a chance to visit with Gates yet and hadn't had my final discussion with Rumsfeld yet. He understands that Iraq not working well enough fast enough. I am assessing all the time, by myself, tactics, do we have the right strategy, and that requires constant assessment. He and I agreed in meeting yesterday that requires a fresh perspective. (So Rummy and Bush decided yesterday before the elections outcomes that Rummy would go -- Bush says).
What's changed today is the elections is over and the Democrats won. And secondly the Democrats are going to have to make up their mind about how they are going to conduct their affairs. We will begin consultations with the Demoratic leadership starting Thursday Friday and Saturday.
?: Full speed ahead on Iraq? Or listening to voters?
Bush: I believe Iraq had a lot to do with the elections but I believe in other factors as well. People want Congress to be honest and ethical. In some races that was the factor. But no question Iraq was on people's minds. As you have just learned, I am making a change at Sec of Def to bring a fresh perspective to achieve what I think most Americans want which is victory. We will work with members of Congress, we will work with the Baker-Hamilton commission.
(Total embrace of the Baker-Hamilton commission - very very interesting. Who else did he meet with at Crawford?? Bush pere? James Baker? Scowcroft?)
?: Did you know when you told (the press) that you would be replacing Rumsfeld?
Bush: No, I didn't know.
I had made the decision I wasn't going to be talking about hypothetical troop levels of command decisions coming down the last stretch. I think that sends a message to troops if commander in chief is constantly changing tactics. It was the right decision to make. Secondly, I hadn't visited with Bob Gates yet. Secondly, didn't have my last conversation with Don Rumsfeld, which I had yesterday. (Last? So, they've had ongoing discussions, presumably, about his departure?)
Rutenberg: Should we expect a different leadership style from you?
Bush: Uh. I really haven't ... I still am going to try to speak plainly about my priorities... You will see a lot of meetings and discussions with Democrats. In terms of the elections, no question Iraq had something to do with it. The amazing thing about this election is that the economy is strong. And yet, obviously there was a different feel out there for the electorate. Good news about the economy (overshadowed) by toughness of the war. I am going to continue to make decisions based on what I think is right for the country. Never been one to fashion my decisions based on short term popularity. I do understand the frustration of the people. I wish this had gone faster. So does Sec. Rumsfeld. The reality is it's a tough fight. And the only way we are going to win the fight is if we finish the job.
I think we are going to have to work with the Democrats just like I think we have to work with the Baker-Hamilton commission. I have vowed we are not going to fail, we are not going to leave until the job is done.
Institutionalize to extent possible steps necessary to make sure future presidents are capable of waging this war. Because Iraq is part of this war. I think back to Harry Truman - Eisenhower continued it. I would hope that is the spirit going forward. This enemy is not going away after my presidency. And I truly believe that Congressman Pelosi and Harry Reid care about the security of this country like I do. No leader in Washington is going to walk away from protecting the country. Have different tactics. But spirit is such that want to protect America.
(Gates' instant Wikipedia entry -- not only does it by 115pm already have his new appointment, it's already the top entry on Google for "Robert Gates." How is that possible with out a little manipulation??)
?: Avoid gridlock?
Bush: We had some success (earlier in my administration) with "Democrat" votes. ... But we now got to show what people are capable of doing. You are right. People are skeptical. The way you defeat skepticism is perform (man his whole tone is different. more like George W Bush campaigning in 2000 than the man we've heard for six years; maybe he should fire Rove next?) I do believe we can get some things done.
...
Jackson (?): On immigration, many Democrats had better things to say about (your plan) than Republican candidates.
Bush: Thank you, yes, I meant to put that on my list. Yes, I think we have a good chance (for comprehensive immigration reform). ... Hope we can get something done, and believe we can find some common ground with the Democrats.
...
Thank you all for your time, I appreciate your interest.