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Bush: Rumsfeld Doing a ‘Heckuva Job’

In an interview today with Fox News’ Brit Hume, President Bush offered praise for Donald Rumsfeld that’s usually reserved for utterly incompetent disaster management officials:

HUME: Is he here to stay as far as you are concerned?

BUSH: Yes. End of my term is a long time, but I tell you, he is doing a heckuva good job. I have no intention of changing him.

Bush was trying to brush aside speculation that Rumsfeld was on his way out. Of course, the last official Bush praised for doing a “heckuva job” was gone a week later.




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58 Responses to “Bush: Rumsfeld Doing a ‘Heckuva Job’”

  1. Ryan Neat Says:

    The emphasis being on 'Heck', as in 'Heck I wish he had done his job'... :()


  2. Armando Gomez Says:

    Quick and Dirty

    If Bush qualify Rumsfeld as he did with Michael Brown will Rumsfelf be relieve from his position as well? It's be a great Christmas present for America.


  3. Keith H. Says:

    No suprise that he would pat rummy on the back. Look what he said when libby resigned. This dude is out there. I think he's certifiable. Too much potent Marching Powder.


  4. norbizness Says:

    It's like getting kissed by Michael Corleone at a party in Havana.


  5. TJM Says:

    I've said this before,possibly on this website, but if you really want to see if Rumsfeld did a good job go read the quarterly reports at http://www.sigir.mil

    You can also visit the DoD or the State Dept weekly updates, but the bottom line is what Murtha said, the war in Iraq is wrecking the military and it has wrecked the National Guard. The GAO recently released a study that said Congress can no longer be assured that tha Army National Guard can fulfill its mission.

    In Iraq, Rumsfeld fought the bureaucratic battle versus the State Department to be in charge of the reconstruction so it looks as if the appointment of Condoleeza Rice may portend the end of Mr.Rumsfeld. Too late for the troops that died because of his department's bungling of the supply chain.


  6. mun13f Says:

    I'm curious what "Real American" thinks of Rummy. I know Rummy, that McNamara-without-a-conscience, doesn't think much of the decades of experience that senior military officers have.


  7. Magnum DB Says:

    Interesting that Bush hardly does an interview with any other news outlett except for Fox. I remember Bush and his wife on Larry King a while ago, but that was it.


  8. Matt O. Says:

    That phrase is the kiss of death, you watch.

    If anyone at work ever tells me I've done a "heckuva job" I know I am about to get canned, or, "retire early to spend time with my family."


  9. wwallace Says:

    Bush did an interview on NBC News two days ago, Magnum.


  10. Alexander Wolfe Says:

    Bush would display much more decisve and bold leadership if he would say "helluva" instead.


  11. ChuckLA Says:

    Great - than go on an' give'm a heckuva going away party.


  12. Susan Says:

    A compliment to yo ho ho and a bottle of rum from the bubble boy.


  13. Robert Says:

    Bush: "Laura, that was a heck of a..."


  14. WaltTheMan Says:

    Rummy is saving Social Security and reducing the deficit. For every 45-55 year old reservist he manages to kill, the system saves about half a million. For every 20-25 year old, he saves over a million in child care, schooling and VA benefits. This is how W is financing the war effort.


  15. Granite State Destroyer Says:

    George W. Bush, you are doing a heckuva job.

    -Satan


  16. Clyde the Ripper Says:

    #13

    Robert, you should not make fun of Laura. She has some challenging intelligence problems. Even given the mental inadequacies of DUHbya, Laura is still found lacking. This can be authenticated by observation. Obviously DUHbya is smarter! Just look at who they married! Even I am a "helluva" lot smarter than my Bride.


  17. Average TV Viewer Says:

    Bush probably believes what he says. I think he is on a high because his ratings have skyrocketed up to 40% approval. He also thinks there will be peace in the valley in Iraq in afew hours. He also fancies himself quite the public speaker now.
    He will clearly never learn to not take Rove's assessment of a situation.
    Listen up, White House. We didn't fall for the "I'm guity" schtick about bad intel. Your message was clear, and Levin has got your number. The president is a liar and a 2-bit criminal. If you guys wanted democracy in Iraq you should have said it from the beginning. The president's flattery of his cabinet is as solid as his approval.


  18. Carl Levin for President Says:

    Average TV Viewer just became "Levin for President"- thanks for the memories and thanks for playing.


  19. Theresa Says:

    Well, if he's doing a heck of a job, and resigns within the week, he'll stay on the payroll for months as a "consultant" (including multiple appearances before some committee (or committees)).


  20. Theresa Says:

    Anyone else notice Michael Brown in the background? Heck of a photo!


  21. M. Duchamp Says:

    #20
    It certainly does look like him... can it be Brownie?


  22. M. Duchamp Says:

    #21
    see:
    Michael Brown - so forlong


  23. tomz Says:

    Lieberman will take over in January. Then all war dissent will be outlawed as anti-semitism under the hate-bill legislation.


  24. tomz Says:

    Yeah that's probably Brownie - checking out the horses ass Rummy. He's great at judging horses asses, ya know.


  25. M. Duchamp Says:

    #24
    Sorry, too much time on my hands...
    Extra Nutty Brownie on a Doilly



  26. M. Duchamp Says:

    For symetry sake, an extra nutty Rum Brownie:
    Rum Brownie


  27. purvis ames Says:

    Getting praised for doing a good job by Bush is pretty faint praise indeed.


  28. The Danish Rastry Resistance Says:

    BUSH: Yes. End of my term is a long time, but I tell you, he is doing a heckuva good job. I have no intention of changing him.

    Is Bush going to change Rummy's Whiny-Ass Titty Baby's diaper?


  29. The Danish Pastry Resistance Says:

    Dammit! Too much rum!


  30. The Danish Pastry Resistance Says:

    Why are all Republicans and their enablers are such Whiny-Ass Titty Babies?


  31. BushSucks Says:

    Is it just me or does Brown look like he's sporting a hard on in the background behind rummy?


  32. BushSucks Says:

    Oh, nevermind! It's probably just his palm pilot.


  33. cats are flyfishn Says:

    "doing a heck of a good job" - sounds like the kiss of death. Rummy is a gonner.


  34. Tony W Says:

    Rummy ain't going anywhere...Rove just got Leiberman to drop on his knees, now that Joe's job is done, and he was used like the little opportunistic political whore he is, he's sent packing ala McCain..


  35. quicksand Says:

    I have no intention of changing him
    Unh? Does Bush have some kind of wizard powers? Change him into what? A toad? And this is a man that went to an Ivy League College.

    My best friend 10-year old has a better handle on the English language than our Pres.


  36. unbelievable Says:

    A good job? By whose standards? Hitler's?


  37. BitterHarvest Says:

    This is good news. When Bush says "Heckuva job" he means "I'm going to can you in one week." Kind of like "Clear Skies" means "Polluted Skies" and "Mission Accomplished" means "Years Away From Victory."


  38. Evil Spaniard Says:

    He's following the General Custer's Army Field Manual and Tactics word by word. to the end.

    Someone remembers the "fast, light war" concept of the beginning of the Iraq invasion? He was sure of being a revolutionary thinker, sending the (escarce) forces running to Baghdad, in a sort of "Blitzkrieg". He was remise to have a greater number of troops, against the advice of many real field generals. After all, the iraqis will greet them with flowers, and was only a war to "liberate" from Saddam and his (alleged) WMD.

    After the fall of Baghad, the city and country quickly fall in the hands of insurgents, terrorists and plain gangsters and warlords, while the (escarce again) troops where guarding the Ministry of Oil and the museums where looted, again and again, with no one guarding them. This was the begin of the insurgence.


  39. Evil Spaniard Says:

    He has failed in the very same as Napoleon in Russia, Hitler again in Russia, Custer en Little Big Horn, and many others, a disastrous planning or no planning at all.


  40. Keith H. Says:

    "It is true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong," junior said during his fourth speech. "As president I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq."

    "My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision," junior said. "Saddam was a threat and the American people, and the world is better off because he is no longer in power."

    A clear admission that he knew there were no WMD before invading.


  41. Pete Bogs Says:

    he is doing a heckuva a job - for me to POOP on!

    (props to Triumph)


  42. Marie Says:

    "Heckuva job." Bush's evaluation of Rummy's job performance is obviously no reflection of the facts on record.
    Bush also said he believes Delay is innocent -- why? "because I like him."
    Sounds like a closing line from the old Mickey Mouse Club tv show. "M-I-C- see you real soon, K-E-Y- why? because we LIKE you..."
    Bush -- critical thinker?
    Bus -- attention deficit disorder?
    Bush -- example of arrested development.


  43. Texan Jesus Says:

    The kiss of death. BushCo is all about opposites. Clean Air act means massive giveaways and more pollution; No Child Left Behind means many kids left behind and you guessed it, Heck of a job means "You are toast you incompetent f#*k.
    Repent!


  44. BushSucks Says:

    nah, Bush and Jenna been passin' the coke back and forth. As for his lack of intelligence I blame that on the drugs his mama took when she done birthed him into the worlt.

    The apples don't fall far trom the tree.


  45. Rosencrantz Says:

    I think Rummy is on his way out considering Bush put in that disclaimer "the end of my term is a long time." That basically says that Rummy could very well be on the way out, if Bush can't guarantee he'll be there for three more years.


  46. kindness Says:

    I read in this AM's Chronicle that dumbya did an interview with Phaux News yesterday where he pronounced Tom DeLay innocent and wished him a speedy return to his duties.

    Let's see if I can find the link...Here it is:
    King dumbya Pronounces DeLay Innocent.

    Uhh, George...This isn't a monarchy. I know you'd like to go back to the days of a King George, but the fact is, we fought a war 200 years ago against an idiot with the same name and probably not much smarter than you. Myself, I find it hard to be dumber than a newt, but these King Georges are showing me wrong.


  47. gun toting liberal Says:

    Helllooooo, Right wingers.... where are you?

    Come on, defend Rumsfeld... I dare ya!

    I DOUBLE dare ya!

    (sound of crickets)

    A Personal aside:

    Wwallace, I have got to give you a big shout out. You come here day after day and have these Lefties baiting you and slinging ad hominem insults... as I've said before it diminishes them and whatever intellectual point they are trying to make. Why take the abuse?

    The fact that you feel comfortable hanging out in the "enemy's camp" tells me that regardless of our differing attitudes we'd probably be friends. I do respect and admire people that don't shy away from a fight. I also don't like to always be among like-minded thinkers.

    Just as long as you acknowledge that people can love liberty equally and yet have radically differing ideas of how to achieve it. I don't like charges of treason leveled at people who are lawfully exercising their constitutionally-granted right to free speech.

    Praise to you.

    BTW, why not visit my blog sometime and comment there?


  48. wwallace Says:

    Re: "defend Rumsfeld"

    I'd say liberating 50 million people in two nations is a great record.


  49. kindness Says:

    define liberating.


  50. Ryan Neat Says:

    "I’d say liberating 50 million people in two nations is a great record.
    Comment by wwallace "

    When that happens, I'll agree with you...

    Rome claimed to liberate the countries they occupied as well, historians disagree with them and you...


  51. Dodgeball Says:

    Here's Rummy doing a "heckuva job" a few years back:

    [URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/980/rumsnoknowledge7xi.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


  52. Dodgeball Says:

    Oops, make that:
    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us


  53. True Believer Says:

    Seems to me the only ones who can define what being liberated means (an whether it is applicable) is those being liberated. I sincerely doubt that wwallace could find 50 million people who are feeling liberated these days thanks to our invasion of Iraq.


  54. BushSucks Says:

    Wwallace, go to your local library and check out the maximum limit of material all on the Q'uran and Islam. Then do this at least 3-4 times more. I would wager that SS would be over to your door to question you, at least you would be flagged. The local library here cooperates with the Patriot Act. I *know* I was flagged. I'll tell you how I know : )
    At the last anti war protest I went to (which is a weekly group of around 50 people who gather on a corner) an unidentified man decided to show up. He wouldn't sign our roster. He claimed he was just there because he was against the war. About a 1/2 hour after this, he approaches me and we began talking about the war and Islam. He asks me if I read much on Islam. I replied that I did indeed. He asked me why. Then a whole slew of other questions as to why I was even interested in it, being I am clearly Native American Indian.
    Coincidence? I think not.
    They have infiltrators watching everyone who appears to be suspicious. Believe what you will but you have no freedoms here. I find it hypocritical for Bush to stand up and exclaim he is liberating the people of Iraq, while at the same time with the Patriot Act, he is controlling, manipulating, and dissentigrating OUR freedoms.

    I don't check books out anymore. I go to a store and purchase them. I figure it's no one's business what I read. And when the cashier asks for my zip code and phone number, I refuse to give the information. I had one cashier tell me he couldn't complete the purchase unless I did so. Bull. I called the manager and told them it was my right to privacy. The manager checked me out just fine. It's not a conspiracy, it's truth. People are being monitored wether or not they want to believe it.
    You want to talk about what Bush is doing to these Iraqi people. Talk about genocide then. Genocide is not victory. Claiming victory over killed innocents is cowardly.
    In his shoot em' up cowboy mentality, he's clearing the back field so he can have a good crop.


  55. Louis Says:

    Rumsfeld has much better hand gestures than Brownie.


  56. Tippersnore Says:

    "Heckuva job" means other things in Tejas.


  57. LaPopessa Says:

    Oh I wish that history would repeat itself here. Unfortunately, head in the sand Bush doesn't hear, see or understand Rumsfeld's blunderings.



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