Killing the Fatted Secretary of Defense

My wife asked, "Why in the world would he wait until now, on Election Day, to announce he was getting rid of Rumsfeld?" A good question, the timing does seem a little awkward. If Bush had fired Rumsfeld six months ago, it might have been taken as a sign that he was listening to the critics and amending policy in Iraq to find a better way to wrap up this war. But then again, it might have been seen as weakness by both sides of the aisle.

But on further reflection, the announcement comes at a great time. The Democrats are moving into power; no doubt the media will dwell on that for quite a while. The President needs a way to break into the news cycle -- he needs an announcement that is more than just a speech and rhetoric. Rumsfeld was already political baggage; while lots of Republican loyalists still love Cheney, nobody seems terribly fond of Rumsfeld, and the critique of his prosecution of the war has been mounting almost from the day he started, from very credible sources. Clearly he had to go.

What better way to break the ice with the Democrats? "Hi, Nancy. Pleased to meecha. Here's Rummy's head on a plate."