2006.10.04: October 4, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Boston Globe: Chris shays calls for Rumsfeld to resign

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Chris Shays calls for Rumsfeld to resign

Chris Shays calls for Rumsfeld to resign

Rumsfeld "simply is refusing to cooperate with a committee that oversees the Department of Defense," Shays said. "To me he has crossed the line." "I think Donald Rumsfeld needs to step down," said Shays, who is chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, emerging threats and international relations. Shays released letters he wrote to Rumsfeld last week asking a host of questions related to the number of Iraqi security forces being trained. He also said he was still waiting for a meeting he requested with a military official to discuss the issue. A defense official wrote back that Rumsfeld and other officials were available to answer questions at a briefing in which lawmakers were invited. "We regret that you were unable to attend," the letter states. Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.

Chris Shays calls for Rumsfeld to resign

Republican lawmaker calls for Rumsfeld to resign

By John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer | October 4, 2006

STAMFORD, Conn. --Rep. Chris Shays, who is facing a tough challenge from an anti-war Democrat, on Wednesday called for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to resign -- a rare demand from a longtime Republican.

The Connecticut lawmaker also accused officials at the Defense Department of withholding information about the Iraq war from Congress.

"I am losing faith in how we are fighting this war," Shays, a longtime supporter of the conflict, said in an interview. "I believe we have to motivate the Iraqis to do more."

Shays, who was elected in 1987, said defense officials stopped cooperating with his congressional subcommittee after he proposed setting a timeline for troop withdrawals. Shays, who had previously opposed such a timeline, offered the plan in August following his 14th trip to Iraq since the war began.

Rumsfeld "simply is refusing to cooperate with a committee that oversees the Department of Defense," Shays said. "To me he has crossed the line."

"I think Donald Rumsfeld needs to step down," said Shays, who is chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, emerging threats and international relations.

Shays released letters he wrote to Rumsfeld last week asking a host of questions related to the number of Iraqi security forces being trained. He also said he was still waiting for a meeting he requested with a military official to discuss the issue.

A defense official wrote back that Rumsfeld and other officials were available to answer questions at a briefing in which lawmakers were invited.

"We regret that you were unable to attend," the letter states.

Pentagon officials denied Wednesday they have not cooperated with the committee.

"The Defense Department does work very closely with Congressional members and committees that have oversight responsibilities," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

Several congressional Democrats have clamored for Rumsfeld's resignation, but it's rare for a lawmaker in President Bush's political party to argue that the Pentagon chief should step down. Republican candidate Tom Kean Jr., who is seeking a Senate seat in New Jersey, also has called for Rumsfeld's resignation.

Rumsfeld, asked on a flight to Nicaragua earlier this week whether he would resign, responded, "No, no, no."

Shays is a moderate Republican who has voted against the party rank-and-file on a number of issues, including the environment. He also supports abortion rights and gun control.

Frustration among some in the GOP with the administration's handling of the war is not limited to Congress. During an appearance in Minnesota on Tuesday, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "stay the course isn't a good enough answer, because to stay the course you have to have a finish line."

Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., who has Camp Lejeune in his district, said he has repeatedly called for Rumsfeld to resign.

"I have felt this way for quite a while. . . . He reminds me so much of (Defense Secretary Robert) McNamara in the Vietnam War. He is arrogant and will not admit a mistake."

Shays is in one of the most competitive House races this year and his comments come just five weeks before the midterm elections. His opponent, Democrat Diane Farrell, has opposed the war and advocates an exit strategy for U.S. troops. Farrell lost to Shays by 4 percentage points two years ago.

Farrell's campaign pointed out that she has been calling for Rumsfeld's resignation for months and said this is just the latest change in Shays' position. She also said during a debate Wednesday that Congress could hold a vote of no confidence.

"He has supported the war from Day One," said Farrell campaign spokeswoman Jan Spiegel. "He has voted to give the president a blank check."

Shays made his comments after the debate with Farrell, which was dominated by the Iraq war. Farrell said Shays started talking about timelines after U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman lost the Democratic primary to anti-war candidate Ned Lamont.

"The number of times in which he has changed his position as he watches his campaign faltering is frightening," said Roy Occhiogrosso, another campaign spokesman for Farrell. "What's next?"

Shays rejected the charge, saying he has attended funerals of soldiers and would not base his position on how to get re-elected. He vowed to hold hearings and issue subpoenas to get the information he is seeking.

------

Associated Press Writer Anne Plummer Flaherty in Washington contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.







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Story Source: Boston Globe

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