Call Me Mr. Stupid

The best post-election analysis came from the Independent, Democrat 'thumping' hastens exit of Rumsfeld. Reporting on the American election as only the Brits can:

Donald Rumsfeld, the beleaguered US Defence Secretary, resigned yesterday, hours after a sweeping Democratic victory in midterm elections that redraw the balance of political power in Washington and could presage major changes in policy over Iraq.

The electoral defeat had made Mr Rumsfeld's position all but untenable, given the criticism raining upon him not only from the resurgent Democrats but also from senior members of the Republican Party. But its timing was a shock - only days after Mr Bush had vowed to keep the Pentagon chief in place until the end of his term in January 2009.

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Given the magnitude of the defeat, which may well see Democrats capturing the Senate as well as the House, Mr Bush was in remarkably feisty form. Often bantering with reporters, he admitted the outcome had been a "thumping" for his Republican Party - and indirectly for himself, even though his name had not been on the ballot.

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Appealing for a bipartisanship he has done little to foster in his first six years, Mr Bush urged a change of tone in national politics, urging "a new era of co-operation" despite the return of divided government after six virtually uninterrupted years of Republican control of Capitol Hill.

But on Iraq, the most divisive issue of all, he gave little ground. He avoided an opportunity to endorse the Democrats' call for a "change of direction", and lavished praise on Mr Rumsfeld, whose domineering ways have made him a lightning rod for criticism of the war, saying he had served "with honour and distinction" as Secretary of Defence.

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The results were seen around the world as a potent rejection of the war in Iraq and confirmation that Mr Bush has entered the terminal "lame duck" phase of his presidency. From Asia to Latin America, from the Middle East to many European capitals the result was seen - often with barely disguised satisfaction - as an overdue reverse for arguably the most unpopular US president of modern times.

(Via AMERICAblog)

Tags: News & Media, Politics, Election, Rumsfeld