Senator Reid: 'Rumsfeld doesn't get it'

RAW STORY
Published: Tuesday August 29, 2006

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid lashed back at the Secretary of Defense in a press release today after Rumsfeld criticized the media for the "myths, and lies, and distortions being told about our troops and our country."

"Secretary Rumsfeld’s reckless comments show why America is not as safe as it can or should be five years after 9/11," said Reid's statement. "The Bush White House is more interested in lashing out at its political enemies and distracting from its failures than it is in winning the War on Terror and in bringing an end to the war in Iraq."

"If there's one person who has failed to learn the lessons of history it's Donald Rumsfeld," Reid said.

Rumsfeld had addressed the 88th Annual American Legion National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah earlier Tuesday.

"It seems that in some quarters there is more of a focus on dividing our country, than acting with unity against the gathering threats," Rumsfeld had said.

Reid called for Rumsfeld to resign for being "consistently wrong" on Iraq.

"We have a choice to make today," said Reid's statement.

"Do we trust Secretary Rumsfeld to make the right decisions to keep us safe after he has been so consistently wrong since the start of the Iraq War?" Reid asked. "Or, do we change course in Iraq and put in place new leadership that will put the safety of the American people ahead of partisan games?"

"For the sake of the safety of this country, it is time to make a change," concluded Reid's statement.