WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Rumsfeld Stepping Down
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Donald Rumsfeld, as US Defense Secretary, during news conference at the Pentagon.WASHINGTON (AP) - A day after Republicans lost control of the House--and possibly the Senate--Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is quitting.
With polls showing Americans upset about the way the Iraq war is going, GOP officials say Rumsfeld will leave.
President Bush has repeatedly backed Rumsfeld. Just days ago, Bush gave Rumsfeld a thumbs-up, saying he wanted him at the Pentagon for the remainder of his term.
Rumsfeld has been defense chief since Bush first took office in 2001. But the situation in Iraq has put Rumsfeld on the defensive.
Officials say former CIA chief Robert Gates will be tapped to replace Rumsfeld.
President Bush congratulates Democrats on their election victories and says he looks forward to working with the opposition party.
President Bush says Americans cast votes for a "new direction," and that Democrats had a "good night." He congratulates them on their victories.
He says as head of the Republican Party, he shares a "large part of the responsibility."
Bush says Democratic and Republican leaders must now "try to work through" their differences--and that he believes they'll do so.
