(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."

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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.