In this video clip, Army Times editor Robert Hodierne explains the timing of an editorial published today in the Military Times papers that calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Hodierne explains, "We did it right now because, last week, president Bush renewed his vows with the Secretary and said that the Secretary would be around for the balance of the two years of the president's term. We thought that was the wrong decision and took the opportunity to do so."
Playing down the idea that the editorials critical of Rumsfeld were intended to influence the midterm election, Hodierne says, "I don't know how much impact it's going to have. That wasn't part of our calculation. Our calculation was in view that strong statement of support by the president. We felt the need to say, 'We disagree with that.'"
"The people who are standing for election tomorrow, don't have the power to fire secretary Rumsfeld," Hodierne continued. "The only person who has that authority is not on the ballot tomorrow."
In this video clip, Army Times editor Robert Hodierne explains the timing of an editorial published today in the Military Times papers that calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.