Washington (CNN) – Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld criticized President Obama's assertion Tuesday that the Bush administration ignored requests for more troops to battle the Taliban, declaring the president's remark made during his address on Afghanistan a "bald misstatement."
Rumsfeld said Wednesday that during his time as Bush's Secretary of Defense, he was "not aware of a single request of that nature."
"The President's assertion does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan," Rumsfeld said in a statement. "In the interest of better understanding the President's announcement last night, I suggest that the Congress review the President's assertion in the forthcoming debate and determine exactly what requests were made, who made them, and where and why in the chain of command they were denied."
But Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since October of 2007, said Wednesday that the former top commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, had requested more troops during the previous administration, but they were sent to Iraq instead.
"In my tenure here, Gen. McKiernan specifically had a fairly substantial request for upwards of 20,000 forces which we couldn't meet because they just weren't there. They were in Iraq," Mullen said. "I spoke out early that Afghanistan was under resourced... We didn't have them because they were pushed to Iraq. We didn't have the flexibility to move them. That was the priority of a previous president. We do what the president says and that's what we did."
In his speech, Obama said his predecessors "repeatedly" ignored requests for more troops and said that this is one reason why he decided to send more.
"Commanders in Afghanistan repeatedly asked for support to deal with the reemergence of the Taliban, but these reinforcements did not arrive," Obama said Tuesday night. "And that's why, shortly after taking office, I approved a longstanding request for more troops."
From CNN Politics
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It would have been good if we could have covertly got Bin Laden and his fellow leaders back in 2001. 8 years later we are still fighting the same war that crippled the Russian economy.
Donald Rumsfeld not aware of something? Heavens to Betsy, I can't believe it! Guess requests for more troops in Afghanistan was one of those Unknown Unknowns he liked to talk about.
Yeah.......Ole Rummy knows all about "bald misstatements" seeing as how the entire Bush administration pretty much, wrote the book on "bald misstatements".......Sorry boy's but no matter how much you try to convince us otherwise, the fact is, you will all go down in this nations history books as the most incompetent, ineffective, morally corrupt, failure of any other Presidential administration ever!!!!!!!FACTS ARE FACTS!!!!!!!
Well, this old a–hole finally crawled out from under his rock to tell some more lies. He wanted to help out his partner Dick Cheney with his complaining about President, yes, that is President Obama.
CNN will broadcast or print anything or anyone who wants to say something negative about Obama or his administration.
What a surprise. Donald Rumsfeld stretching the truth. Bush sure did know how to hire pathological liars (Dick Cheney come to mind?)
I'm fairly certain that no one in the Bush administration has a leg to stand on when it comes to critisizing anybody for not speaking the truth.
The Republicans have little regard for the truth. Since many people will not fact check them, they have little fear from exposure. We need to expose their lies every time they lie.
There isn't a single person from the bush administration who would know the truth if it bit them on the butt.
Rummy, Admiral Mike Mullen just contradicted you! Fact is, you and Bush and Cheney, took your eyes off Afghanistan and let the situation detoriate to this level. Instead, you went after Sadam Hussein for attempting to kill Dubya's father. I don't understand why all of you are not in jail somewhere for the grand lie to the American people!
Although I absolutely disagree with Obama's Afghanistan policy ... I must say, Rumsfeld was a rank amateur, who along with the Dunce In Chief GWB and the DICK let Bin Laden escape into Pakistan early on due to their combined ineptitude (although, each is stupid enough to have done it alone). So Rummy ... just where does your expertise come from beside the large hole in your nether-region?
Donald Rumsfeld and the other Bush cronys are just trying to save face. Your story points out that Obama's assertions about Afghan troop requests were denied and Admiral Mullen is providing the backup cover to what Obama said in his address at West Point. I just wish Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove and that entire group of nincumpoops would just ride quietly into the sunset, and never to be heard from again.
Donald Rumsfeld is lying. In other news, the sky is blue, water is wet, and babies are prone to crying.
Like Rumsfeld has any integrity at all. As the dust settles on the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Wolfowitz-Franks debacle, each day reveals yet another litany of lies by the 5 amigos!
Now we learn that requests for troops were made to Bush in Oct 2007, which implies the request sat on his desk for 14 months. Yet our GOP friends scream for Obama's head because he took 4 months to ask tough questions and try to get it right.
If Bush-Cheney had finished it at Tora Bora in 2003, when they had Bin Laden surrounded, this war would be finished and our troops home. Sadly, that was never Cheney's goal and would have eliminated his excuse to start a war with Iraq
Oh Rummy..........shut it.
A whole new bunch of honorable men are handling things now and guess what, they don't want your input just like you didn't want to hear it during your time in charge.
So now Mullen & McKiernan are liars in Rummy's world ?
You should go back under your rock before you get sunburned.
Rumsfeld, obiviously there were a LOT of things that you were are not aware of; so, what else is new! I'm sure that all of the President's statements have a lot of truth, which is something you know nothing about. Please go back inside and stop talking, now!!!
Former secdef Rumsfeld's memory has been proven to "faulty" in the past. Combined with his penchant for avoiding responsibilty, I think I'd rather hear from some one else on this matter.......maybe my third cousin. He lies alot, but owns up to it when he gats caught!
No way am I believing ONE WORD that Rumsfeld says – he, Cheney, et al are just trying to justify their lying to the American public. We bought it once, won't do that again!
Donald Rumsfeld will criticize all but himself !
Arrogance , Denial , self-serving !
depose Saddam and get access to Iraq's oil reserves.
There was NEVER any real intelligence against Iraq. The smoke and mirrors created by Cheney and Feith are now known to be 100% lies.
Why he and Bush are not being charged with war crimes is unknown, since the USA established at Nuremberg that an unprovoked preemptive war of aggression against another country that neither threatened or attacked the aggressor nation was in fact a war crime.
With all due respect to the former Secretary of Defense and President Bush you were the ones who took your eye of the ball in Afghanistan. You instead made the decision of sending troops to fight a war we did not need to fight in Iraq. My son being one of them. So I am glad we have elected a leader who takes his time to think things through. Unlike, remember this one, " Oil revenues will pay for this war." You and President Bush are the ones who dishonor our brave men and women in uniform. And we three generations of veterans in my family I know what I am talking about.
Rumsfield is just upset because he is no longer relevant. Washed up. He was proven to be ineffectual when he was running the DOD. Poor man...delusional at best!
Liar, liar – pants on fire!
Yeah, like anyone in the world should trust a thing coming out of Rumsfeld's mouth!
We REALLY care what Rummy has to day. We have his number.
Rumsfield is either senile or telling a lie. These guys do not want to admit that they were wrong. The burden is on him to prove that President Barack Obama made a mis-statment. The previous administration were busy looking for WMD and fighting the wrong war. This much is true about telling a lie. You have to tell another lie to cover the first lie.
Rumsfeld is trying to cover up his incompetence and malfeasance in the prosecution of the two wars. Like Cheney, he should have been charged for war crimes against humanity.
You have to be kidding me. The man who for the last two years has been negative about fighting wars now will send more of our men and women over and has the gaul to blame the former President who kept us safe. Under this president we have had a number of terrorist type attacks on our soil from Ft Hood to the state of Washington. When will the country say ENOUGH with a president who just keeps filling the airways with nothing.
Thank you for your service Mr. Rumsfeld, now go away!
Rumsfeld and anybody else in the Bush Administration should just shut up. I saw on CNN where troops in Afghanistan said, on tv, they needed more resources throughout the past eight years. Maybe he should rethink asking for that information, because I am sure it is available and will more him look even less credible than he already is.
Mullen or Rumsfeld...who would be the liar...I pick RUMSFELD, remember the one who told us about the WMDs, "We know where they are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat."
Looks like he is just trying to distract people from thinking about what a mess he and the Bush Admin made of the whole situation. In his speech, President Obama made it clear that the preivous admin had dropped the ball on Afghanistan. Like a magician, Rumsfeld is just saying "don't look over there, look over here! HERE!" Same old tricks.
Rumsfeld is not the standard by which truth is measured in this family.
Not only was the last administration incompetent, but also have a memory issue as well. How can anyone of good conscious listen to a word this man has to say? This is a person the insulted our closest allies and friends, exaggerated about weapons of mass destruction, and the cost of the war in treasure and the priceless lives of our boys and girls who died there. Instead of capturing or killing Bin Laden and pacifying Afghanistan, they went after some fool’s errand in Iraq that has been deemed by the world as unwise, imprudent, and unjust. This “gentleman”, along with Cheney, is wholly responsible for the degradation of America’s standing in the world and have left us all worst off.
what about the "mistruths you all spouted to justify starting the war?!
They all beat up on Rumsfeld. Now, he can dish it back to Obama. Take it to em, Rumsfeld.
well look who crawled out of his hole.you can go back to wherever you've been hiding for the past few years. there's no one here to torture.
Rumsfeld should just bow his head in shame and walk away.
Don Rumsfeld is the best not as good as VP Dick Cheany but good. Now that President Obama is in office it is comical to see him try to blame everything but the Lindbergh baby on 43. Palin 2012
Hey Donald, you have been pretty quiet since January. Keep it that way. We don't care what you think, we are living the nightmare you helped create. Leave the stupid comments to Cheney. He does it better.
They are Clarevoint Amnesiacts. They can predict what is going to happen in the future but convieniently forgot what they did in the past.
PS. Dick Cheney is the most dispicable person in this country. He is wrong and always has been. He has American blood on his hands.
Cheney and Rumsfeld should be on trial for treason.
Donald Rumsfeld certainly knows all about "disservice to the
truth.....and.... the men and women in uniform". He, Bush, Cheney,
and all those members of the Bush Administration from the
so-called "think tank" known as the American Enterprise Institute
are the epitome of disservice. Isn't it interesting that these
arrogant blowfish are STILL talking for George W. Bush. They are
so busy defending the indefensible, that they can't see the forest for
the trees. At least, something is being tried that should have been
done seven years ago. Wish they had stayed in the "tank".
Most don't know what a REAL tank is....militarily. Thank you.
Donald Rumsfeld dares to make a public statement regarding this matter? Rumsfeld, Cheney, and G. W. Bush should rather be making their statements in a federal courthouse (as defendants).
So what makes Rummsfield think ANYBODY would believe that HE, BUSH, CHENEY, AND THE WHOLE BUSH ADMINISTRATION could ever tell the TRUTH!! You'd think this guy would want to stay under a rock forever! But like Cheney, his "narcisstic ego", just has to have its say!!!
I still can't believe this president is actually sending more troups to Afganistan. I did not believe I would ever say this, but I should have just voted for McCain, at least I knew he was a hawk. Now comes the new prez as a hawk in dove's clothing. This guy needs to get a grip on reality and quite allowing the military to continue to kill innocent men, women and children throughout the world.
Pull out of the Afganistan and Iraq now! Violence does not spawn peace. All we are saying, is give peace a chance.
Why would Rumsfield say this if it wasn't true? Defense Sec. Gates has changed his tone also. Anyone that gets around Obummie has no clue about what is fact or fiction. Check the requests and we will know. Why be politically correct and say bald misstatement. Where I come from a liar is a liar and labeled as such.
That picture in this article of Bush & Rumsfeld is certainly worth a thousand words. These arrogant liars of the past Bush era still can't admit a mistake. The whole lot of them , Bush , Cheney and Rumsfeld should be tried for treason against the American people for starting a war in Iraq by lying to the American public. They owe an appology to the families of all those that have died in Iraq , at the very least . Now Obama has to try and concentrate on Afghanistan where that should have happened 8 yeras ago. Bush cronies just shut up and fade away for all the worlds sake.
Bush left us with almost 11 trillion in debt and two wars and a narco-state in Afghanistan. The only thing Bush and the GOP have done is prove that they cannot win a war, cannot finish a war, and cannot pay for the war they started. The GOP should have to pay for this disastrous quagmire they left. You can’t just call a taxi to leave Afghanistan so hopefully the troops Obama has sent are to cover our back as we LEAVE. The Taliban were barely left in Afghanistan when Bush eventually acted after 911. They have been and remain primarily in Pakistan and other sympathetic countries.
Mr. Rumsfeld, I realize there's a lot you have forgotten since your time serving as Defense Secretary – much of which by design, I'm sure. HOWEVER, how can you forget that multiple requests were made to send more troops to Afghanistan and that they were funneled to Iraq instead?
Go away you did your damage.
Mr. Rumsfeld, President Obama does not make "bald misstatement(s.)" The President was truthful in his statement as you took your eye off the ball to accommodate Ex-President Bush's personal agenda. You have done enough damage to my country in that failed endeavor. Now please just go away.
And we're supposed to believe the person who lied us into the war in the first place. Go back under your rock and take Cheney with you.
Give these guys from the previous administration credit. They always fire back in their attempt to re-write history in their own image. Unfortunately, it is the only way they can attempt to preserve their failed legacy. All of America was behind the Bush administration in attacking our enemies in Afghanistan, but the incredibly weak argument to also attack Iraq was misguided, contrived and forced on the American people through a series of lies and distortions all designed to make a case against Iraq and Sadam. As a result of these lies and misguided blunders Afghanistan languished and degenerated into the mess that it is today. Hopefully, our current and future commanders in chief will be more thoughtful and pensive prior to sending our troops into ill-conceived wars and conflicts in the future.
Anything said by Mr Rumsfeld (or any other member of the Bush administration) ... is probably a "bald misstatement"! Why anyone believes anything said by any of these yahoos is beyond me. They're all a bunch of hypocrites and liars.
Stupid! It is oil!
The terrorists won the second we started emptying our pockets to fight them.
The plan is to drain the American economy and collapse America economically.
They want to bankrupt America, and are doing so quite successfully.
What happens when the money is gone?
I still cannot figure out why the top figures of the Bush Administration have such a problem with telling the truth.
Who cares about you and what your say, RumsFAILED...You are irrelavant and what you say means NOTHING...
Why the heck dumb doh-doh Donald Rumsfeild is even talking? That f-ing moron is the reason why we are behind in Iraq & Afghanistan. I distinctly remember the troop increased & worsening condition in Afghanistan. He was a total failure. Our ex-president took little too long & too late to fire the incompetent defense secretary. Should have never hired an arrogant person like him to begin with & if he did make that mistake, he should have immediately fired him after Abu Ghraib scandal.
Isnt Rumsfeld part of the aministration that created and then committed the US to the illegal war in Iraq?
What BALD MISSTATEMENT!? you Rumsfeld, you are the one who has done the disservice to our men and women of the Armed forces. You shall reap the whirlwind rumsfeld, justice shall be done. Until then keep your hands in your pockets......they're dripping all over you.
Donald Rumsfeld Has Absolutly No Credibility, Along With Any Fool Who Believes Him. The War In Afghanistan Back Around 2003 Was Reprioritized To Fight A War In Iraq. That Alone Is An Undisputed Fact, And If Mr. Rumsfeld Doesn't Like It...That's Just Too Badd!
Well, Don, sometimes you go to war with the President you have rather than the President you want.
Just be happy you're not in prison for war crimes.
Oh my oh my. Poor Rummy. He may be the victom of bald misstatements! Say it ain't so Barack.
I thought Rumsfeld was in prison. What kind of law and order do we have in theis country. First we find out that Huckabee is letting cop killers out of jail and now we find out that Rumsfeld is still roaming the streets. Next you'll be telling me that Dick Cheney and George Bush are on vacation in Wyoming and Texas and not at Leavenworth.
Rumsfeld should be prosecuted as a war criminal. No one would be surprised if he is arrested when he travels overseas. He is done, we do not want to hear from him.
I am tired of negative comments made by Donald Rumsfeld , Dick chaney and John Mccain. They are no longer in office why do they continue to make comments. Of course McCain wants it said that he would have done beter than President Obama. Our focus now should be on the advancement of our country, NOT on President Obama. They should always ask themselves,"What did I do to help?"
Why is former Defense Secretary Rumsfield so quick to go on the defensive? In my experience, persons who immediately and with very little hesitation or thought, take a defensive posture are feeling just a bit guilty over something.
Bush's Administration wanted very little to do with Afghanistan (thus the low level of comprehensive planning in that theater), instead they focused on Iraq and standing behind their commitment to rid the world of the root of Al Queda- Saddam Hussein.
"Bald misstatement"? I'm guessing Mr Rumsfield has spent too much time around the former president as he has soaked up the Bush-isms that made W a laughing stock of the English speaking word.
Who cares what rewrite of history Rummy wants to make? He will 'not remember' anything whose memory would point out the faillings of his and BushCheney's policies. He will try to spin everything to make it look like he and his henchmen were always right. Pointless and false.
When will Obama stop blaming everyone for everything...when will he finally decide to be a man and stand up and say 'whatever it takes WE as Americans will do it, yesterday is gone, let's work on today and the future of America to have victory'
No this coward is always hiding and pointing fingers. He is no man and is no leader, he is a joke and America is being laughed at. He will destroy us, just so he can say 'it's Bush's fault' when it's his friends and his ideas that are going to kill us.
OBAMA is destroying America....ppl get your constitution out and start reading it...stop listening to lies and read for yourself.
Because the unproven statement was made by Obama, the "Truth Squad" will not be moving forward with any investigation. If another statement had been made criticizing Obama with an equal lack of proof, the "Truth Squad" would all over it.
i have come to the conclusion that it doeth not matter what the president does he would be wrong
and that is a shame
Rumsfeld is too stupid and delusional to even be ashamed. This is as opposed to Rove et. al. who know better but are simply evil.
Isn't interesting that Rumsfeld's memory is perfect when it's in his interest, but not so perfect when it's not. His modus operandi was light, fast, and small as if that's all there was to war. Rumsfeld's decisions were central in the failures in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bonehead Bush's complicity cannot be overstated. These men were not evil just supremely incompetent.
"In my tenure here, Gen. McKiernan specifically had a fairly substantial request for upwards of 20,000 forces which we couldn't meet because they just weren't there. They were in Iraq," Mullen said"
Funny, because McKiernan was in charge of troops in Iraq, not Afghanistan. He did request 17000 troops for Iraq in 2003, but Rumsfeld turned him down. That's not the 20000 referenced above.
McKiernan was in charge of troops in Afghanistan from 2008-09.
Mullen was appointed in 2007, so he wouldn't have known what Rumsfeld approved or rejected...would he?
Why is Rumsfeld talking wasn't he fired as Sect. of Def.
Rummy's back. If he had good judgment, he would have to question whether he had any judgment. Has this man (and Cheney) no shame - look at what his (their) actions have wrought!
Obama has no clue to what he is doing. Last nights speech was no different then the prior one months ago. U.S. Military should just get down to business, ignore this baffoon and kick the tally's behind. I was shocked that the WPointers were liking to see him, they should have just boo'ed him and walked out. It's nice having a enemy of the state sitting in the Oval Office.
Rumsfeld denies there were requests for more troops to Afghanistan because he chose not to hear the requests for more troops. What an utter failure as Defense Secretary. Another Brownie. I was glad Bush gave him the boot.
Good to hear from clueless Rumsfeld, as once again he shows there are certain knowns, and he knows there are unknowns that he knows about, but this time he is taking his usual 'lie first', and see how much fall out it creates. Glad he is no longer ruining America.
He is also afraid Cheney will make Don go hunting with him, if he doesn't lie.
How can you tell if Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rove or Bush are lying?
Because you can see their lips moving.
Rumsfeld was a habitual liar during his term as Defense Secretary, in fact for his entire acreer in government service.
I hardly think he has found the truth in forced retirement.
Who do you believe, an Admiral that says more troops were requested or the worst Secretary of Defense in modern history?
who cares what rump roast has to say
Rumsfeld? Lie? That would never happen... would it?
Mr Rumsfeld , The Generals on the ground you know the ones that were requesting this have already spoken out, so why do you lie?? Guess they were not asking for body armor either! Liars make me sick!
Is anyone surprised that Donald Rumsfeld, the architect the failed "underwhelming force" strategies that has mired the US in its two current wars, is disputing the President's assertions of truth?
Mr. Rumsfeld, you ignored the advise and wise counsel of those around you (like Gen. Colin Powell), and of your ground troops, and let Osama bin Laden go, when we could have had ended both al Queda and the Taliban in December 2001.
You tried to cure cancer with a band-aid, and now the US is forced into a two-front "war on terrorism". Please, for the good of the US and the world, Go Away.
Rumsfeld calling someone liar? Well, I guess he's the expert.
Rummy is lucky he's not in prison. Rummy,Cheney and others in the Bush administration commited war crimes and should be punished! they're all traitors and yellow coward Chickenhawks. The damge they inflicted on America will take years to repair.
Any time obama is talking it is most likely a bald faced lie. Rumsfeld's use of the word "Misstatement" is just a pretty word in an attempt to soften the truth. Attempting to soften the truth is what Global Warming Scientific quacks like Al Gore attempt to do.
Yes, let's have the whole truth come out, all of it. For instance, why you let Bin Laden escape, and why torture didn't lead us to him? How does that suit you, Rummy?
Rumsfeld: go back to your hole. You ought to be ashamed of what you did to our country. YOU LIED TO US!
oh, yeh., by not waging a war that is in no way related to 9/11...you idiot, you talk...about pres. obama....it is your idiot, nasty animal, George Bush...who messed our nation...don't you know idiot...is your brain numb, dumb.....shut up....and stay quiet...stupid jerk............
Who would believe anything Rummy had to say?
Bald misstatement? Unlike Rummy's bald lies and bad advice.
"we will be greeted as liberators", anyone?
Just another monster with zero credibility given a soapbox by the media when he should have been at worst (for us) run out of town on a rail and at best (for the world) tried for war crimes.
If they tried a propaganda newspaper publisher at Neuremberg after WW2, then surely a sec. of state qualifies for his role in all of this.
Comes down to Rumsfield can't hear what he doesn't want to hear (sayng not one request was made for more troops).
How would you know anything, Rummy. Your legacy will be one of ineptness. You had no clue. Shut up.
If you believe Rummy, then I've got a bridge to sell you.
I guess Rummy got his bell rung early. He needs to learn that when you call out the President of the United States, you better be prepared to take some hits. Of course, Rummy probably believes you go to war with the revisions you have.
Obama's continued blaming of the previous adminstration is illustrative of the most fundamental problem in this country, most notably among democrats: A failure to accept personal resposibility or accountability for ones' actions and decisions in life.
Teach your children discipline and personal responsibility. Stop blaming others for your lot in life. Stop whining and start working hard.
This pic and today's current political climate almost makes me wish Bush was back in the White House (minus the war that is).
The congress has bigger things to deal with than reviewing who asked for what and when. It's petty to ask your name be cleared by wasting congress's time. They do that well enough on their own thank you.
Rumsfeld and Cheney should shut up and be grateful they don't live in a prison cell. That's where they belong after the lies, corruption and "misstatements" that led is into a costly war against the wrong target.
Rumsfeld's memory is clearly east, west, north and south of the truth. I'm wondering how we survived at all during the reign of these idiots.
I trust the General over Rumsfeld any day.
Rumsfeld (and Cheney) should be in jail for the injustice they imposed on our great nation.
Rumsfeld is the last person that should be offering any advice on troop movements or military decisions. While most people loathe GWB and his administration...I think in the end, history will see his deeds as necessary evils. Some of the bad choices made in Iraq and early Afghanistan are still causing ripples today. Rumsfeld is the one that dropped the ball on hunting the Taliban leaders and Bin Laden in the Tora Bora region. If anything, he should retire quietly and hope that we forget his bad mistakes and lack of action. This man was a pathetic Secretary of Defense...all in a time when he had pretty much carte blanche from the Patriot Act and other Executive branch powers. He had the opportunity to crush the enemy in a time when warmongers ran the show...and he came up short. That is sad.
Rumsfeld is another Bush Aide with no credibility whatsoever. He was part of the deception that deserted Afganistan, to carry on a personal war of choice in Iraq.
It should come as no surprise........Obama and his misstatements are an every day occurrence.
Rummy: You failed to bring the war to a close for FIVE YEARS. You bungled this war when it was ours to win. Now, you're telling someone else how to win it?
You have no room to talk. You were in charge of this war and Iraq, and completely bungled them both. If you had done something like Obama is – studied the issues, planned the war, planned an exit strategy, and supplied troops when requested, we would have captured bin laden in 2001, and we'd be at peace.
You say you didn't ever turn down a request for troops? How about the well documented calls for more troops in Tora Bora in 2001 when bin laden could have been caught, but you all turned them down so the Afghan army could catch him.
In two words, rummy, YOU LIE!!!
So who do we believe? Admiral Mike Mullen or Former Sec of Def Rumsfeld?
My bet is Admiral Mike Mullen.
Rummy: Do you have any self awareness? You are the only defense secretary in US history to have started two wars which the country did not bring to a successful conclusion.
How do you dare criticize ANYONE for war strategy? You have no credibility whatsoever.
Rumsfield – "The President's assertion does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan,"
Why is it every time someone in the Bush administration are shown or proven to be inept about something these has-beens have to use the "disservice to the troops" card? There is nothing more pathetic then to continually hear that. They are the ones who sent these brave soldiers to their graves. That's where the disservice to the troops lies.
Who should we believe-not Rumsfeld?
Sorry Mr. Rumsfield, it appears that you are the only one that's guilty of bald "misstatements". Does he seriously expect Americans to believe that Afghanistan suddenly needs 50,000 more troops in Obama's first year (the 21,000 he approved in his first month and the 30,000 more this month) but was doing just fine with the 20-30,000 troops it had before that? Oh, wait, Afghanistan wasn't doing just fine....
Rumsfeld is a bumbling loser whose credibility is completely in the toilet as far as I'm concerned. He did NOTHING right, but he did it all with bravado and arrogance.
Rumsfeld has no business lecturing anyone on the subject of "truth". Especially since this very report provides examples to support Obama's assertion. Seems to me that Rumsfeld is the one struggling to keep the facts straight.
As if anyone from the Bush Administration has the credibility to call someone a liar! That is laughable. And that's exactly what Rumsfeld is doing.
And anything Mr Rumsfeld has to say is relevant because...?
We should make all political decisions out of anger with a knee jerk reaction. Thoughtfulness is for pussies.
just another Republican who thinks he's GOD.
When anyone from the Bush adminstration accuses someone of lying, we ought to listen to them. They are, after all, the experts on lying, corruption, and deceit. Weapons of mass destruction, anyone?
Who give a crap about what Rumsfield has to say. He's a twit.
Another loyal bushie, another lie.
Nothing changes with them.
Why in the world would it make any difference what they think? They put this country into bankrupcy, killed 4,000+ kids for what? Now they make sense to who and covered by CNN?
I'm thinking the trouble makers are the major media outlets.
These guys need to just fade into the background. Quickly! Who would believe Rumsfeld?? I will take the word of the military anyday over this shyster. I am so sick of people fighting against everything Obama is trying to do, why not work WITH him and get these stupid wars overwith. Not one ot the "tongues" who are wagging now said a WORD, NOT ONE WORD when Bush and company started all this mess. In fact Republicams were calling ANYONE against the war – unpatriotic! Knock it off before you ruin this country all the way!!
Somehow, I doubt that President Obama made a mistatement that Rumsfeld accused him of making. However, there is no doubt that George W. Bush, Dick Cheyney and Mr. Rumsfeld, made a mess of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and left that mess for President Obama to clean up!! In light of this fact, George W. Bush at least knows enough to keep his mouth shut. I think that Cheyney and Rumsfeld should follow suit and do likewise.
who cares din!
what a shock a republican getting ticked off. please we have heard enough from the last administration. actaully before you all left wew heard enough. go rub on eachother somewhere and tell your lies
so he speaks the truth? Is this before or after the paper shredder?
Sorry Donny boy but we Americans can't believe a thing coming from your vile, lying, smug mouth anymore. I would have to doubt it if you said that the sky was blue. You have no more currency in the political/public landscape for telling us anything anymore. Just go away!!
While I appreciate the judicious silence that Rumsfeld, in his embarrassment for a job so poorly done, must keep, I would ask that he remain quiet for another 10 or 20 years.
The damage he and Cheney have inflicted through dim bulb Bush is incalculable, and will take years to correct.
The only good outcome from these war criminals' tenure is that they were sooooooo bad, that the electorate finally turned to Democratic leadership to rescue the nation.
Rumsfeld , please stop!
So ..... Rummy lied. Surprise!
The facts speak for themselves, one just has to look back and see that the President is in fact correct. Funny how Rumsfeld has selective memory.
Who cares about this guy! He's part of the problem that got us there in the first place! Stifle Rummy....quit criticizing and let Obama do his job. You had your chance and you screwed up royally!
Yeah, sure, says Rummy the War Criminal. No one will ever know the truth about the Bushies, because they were such a pack of liars to begin with.
So, Rumsfeld is making claims about events that occurred AFTER he resigned and left his post in disgrace? Interesting how he tries to put words into the mouth of his replacement.
This from the man that participated in instigating a very costly war through deception, then went on to completely mis-manage two wars... Which is the greater sin?
Looks like Dick Cheney called Rumsfeld to get the heat off him after making such an inappropriate statement himself prior to President Obama's plans for Afghan. They are just up to their same old dirty crooked tricks that played out after 9/11. Hold them accountable and send them to prison.
Another liar from the Bush administration emerges . . . . what this guy has to even suggest to the contrary what is already publicly known . . .that troops were diverted to IRAQ when they had the chance to get Bin Laden and then then underfunded the whole thing in Afganistan when IRAQ turned into a war predictated on lies.
Assuming that Rumsfeld's remarks are correct (which I do not believe for a minute, but let's assume for sake of discussion), he simply can not deny that the Bush administration de-emphasized the war in Afghanistan (where the 9/11 events were planned) and reinforced the war in Iraq–a war waged against a country that did not attack or in any way sponsor an attack against the U.S.
Rumsfeld needs to crawl back under whatever rock he has been hiding under, and stay out of this debate.
RUMMY is, as are the rest BUSH – CHANEY REGIME, a liar. Goes along with using the AUTO PEN to sign off on letters of condolence. Pure unadulterated SCUM BAGS. None of them would make a pimple on a REMF's but.
Rumsfeld to Obama:
"You lie!"
But it's the OBAMA administration. They're above the law. We all know they lie and cheat. It was a prerequisite for them landing a job in the big house. I wonder if it was like these job fairs going on around the country. Either your good at lying or your good at looking and playing dumb which most of them have down pat. So much for the change we were promised. Most of us had the no change figured out after his first week in office though.
Where did this old fogy come from, they just forgot all about this war.
Rumsfeld routinely lied...he can't be trusted.
Why must the president stoop to this level to blame Bush publicly? It shows such poor behavior for a man in this position. Why doesn't he go back further and say that the Trade Towers was Clinton's fault for deporting KSM after his first attempt, making nice with our enemies such as Obama and being too involved with Miss Monica to pay attention to the middle east? Go back people, this terrorist act was NOT planned within the first 7 months of Bush and I do know this for fact from family involvement pre 9/11!!! Stop blaming Bush and get constructive not destructive.
"In his speech, Obama said his predecessors "repeatedly" ignored requests for more troops and said that this is one reason why he decided to send more"
The only reason Obama put this in his speech was to make himself look better for not making a quicker decision on sending more troops.
He's an empty suit with no real experience, and mroe specifically, no back bone.
it's HIS war for sure now. or until it, or any other political decision, becomes unpopular. then it becomes time to blame the past. you all know it. it's a crazy look liberals (who he screwed over as we all know. like what he just gave you lefties?) get in their eyes...they start twitching...and then... BUSH...BUSH...spews from their foam filled mouths.
but the really sad thing is that it could be 30-million. doesn't matter when the rules of engagement are so disgustingly, how should we put it, politically correct. sorry to say it, but we'll probably lose for one reason only. we're the side NOT fighting a war.
Excuse me if I don't take criticism from Rumsfeld seriously. As a key player with the "gang that couldn't shoot straight," he lacks credibility. There really aren't words horrendous enough to describe how badly the Bush Administration, including Rumsfeld, mismanaged practically every aspect of pursuing those who attacked us on 9/11. Rumsfeld, sit down and shut up!
Rummy's used to getting away with lying. It doesn't matter to him that it is a matter of public record the commanders in the Afghan theater were turned down.
I am a retired colonel who has served in Iraq among other places. Mr Rumsfeld is one of those responsible for the mess we are in in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even if one buys the assertion that our invasion of Iraq was justified (a tenuous assertion at best), it was still up to the military to make the operation work. It was a foregone conclusion that we would defeat Saddam's army. But because Mr Rumsfeld arrogantly ignored military officers who knew we needed more boots on the ground to seal the borders, implement effective interim government, and protect the populace, we made a mess of things. Even our nation's best cannot do everything when the administration has bad strategy. To top it off, our actions in Iraq effectively resulted in neglect of Afghanistan. So no, what we do not need right now is Mr Rumsfeld saying he did nothing wrong. He was the most arrogant, most inept Secretary of Defense in recent memory.
Rumsfeld is such a discredited anti-Anerican liar, why would CNN publish anything he said?
Let's see...Conservatives slam Obama saying that he should listen to the Generals and not politicians....so I will take their advice and choose to believe the military in this case, who says they DID request the troops and did not get them, over someone who proved to be a train wreck of a SecDef, who lead us into this mess in the first place.
Rumsfeld just didn't "hear" McKiernan. Rumsfeld is ideologically committed to a "light footprint" militray strategy. That is why he repeated pushed Gen Frank to reduce troop numbers for the initial invasion of Iraq and halted troop deployments to Iraq after the fall of Baghdad. That left the military unable to guard ammunition depots, power generation stations or other key installations and deal with the insurgency. Rumsfeld abused the military by failing to provide armored humvees and inadequate body armor more than 2 years later. It is galling to hear Rumsfeld and Cheney talk about supporting the military when they failed to do so when it really counted. No wonder Colin Powelll couldn't stand those guys.
Please. If a FAILURE of the likes of Rumsfeld is criticizing Obama, Obama must be doing a great job. Period.
As you know, there are known unknowns and unknown unknowns and then there are former Secretaries of Defense who lie through their teeth.
Isn't this the same two guys that opened up this country to an attack on 9/11? Why should we care what they say?
Oh, how dare Rumsfeld question Obama. He must be racist! Expecting facts from Obama to backup his rhetoric? How not cool!
My my my. Somebody's a liar...
These words coming from a senior leader that drove a bus into a ditch is now wanting to give commentary on driving a bus. His contribution and words are hollow and match his value to our country, useless and pathetic
Dumsfeld has so much credibility. Oh and BTW there's proof the request was ignored, the one Obama referred to specifically was fter Rummie got shatcinned. Maybe he should have put a few bible passages on his statement so W would rubber stamp it
Rumsfeld is an expert on afghanistan.
"We do know of certain knowledge that he [Osama Bin Laden] is either in Afghanistan, or in some other country, or dead."- Don Rumsfeld
Rumsfeld or Obama, who do I believe? Hmmm... tough choice (NOT!).
I don't believe anything this liar says
Cheney, Wolfowitz and now Rumsfeld....all "honourable men" and reckless cowboys who came close to leading America and the world to the precipice. They should be ashamed to criticize a President of great intelligence and integrity who at least tries his best to do the right thing. In a more just world all these three gentlemen would be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Come on Donny.....! What's with the 1st public words from you since failing miserably in both wars and being fired? Are you trying to re-write the facts?
You'd better find that hole you crawled out of before someone fills it and assigns you to stand before the american people and "splain lucy splain"
And yet we have military leaders on the record saying they made such requests/ Who are you going to believe - A Bush crony or someone serving his country who rose to the highest levels on their merits?
I imagine the things that Donald Rumsfeld was not aware of during the previous administration could fill several libraries. You Mr. Rumsfeld do a disservice to anyone who has fought both in Iraq and Afghanistan. You continue to do that disservice in your pathetic attempts to sweep the incompetance of yourself and the rest of the Bush administration under the rug. Obama is trying to clean up the mess you helped create Mr. Rumsfeld. Why don't you get behind him instead of lying to try to save face. That would be a refreshing change of pace.
Who cares what that war criminal Bush's cronies have to say??I want to know why Bush and his crew are not in prison for crimes against humanity,murder.and fraud!!
these neocons will say anything, no matter how much of a lie it is, and the sheep will listen to everything fox tells them
Rumsfeld should concern himself from comment on world affairs given his own intentional falsehoods claimed under oath to justify his high-priced war toys and prove we could fight battles in two theatres with a volunteer and privatized armed forces: all of which have proven to have been reckless, if not criminal.
I hope other Bush hacks can come forward and remind us how much better we are off under Obama's leadership... Dick Cheney? Are you there?
"The President's assertion does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan," Rumsfeld said in a statement.
What nonsense. Our military service men and women were precisely the ones let down by the failure of the Bush administration to focus on the war and their needs in Afganistan.
I don't think there are many people who care what Donald Rumsfeld thinks.He is extremely arrogant and would never admit to mistakes in the Afghan war. The bottom line is that we neglected Afghanistan to find a totally unnecessary war in Iraq. Now we have to pay the price to finish the job that was put on the back burner.
A Bush cabinet member accusing someone of not telling the truth now that's a good one. The Bush administration was 8 years of constant fear mongering and lies When our armed forces had Bin Laden cornered at Tora Bora Bush pulled outand betrayed every soilder and citizen in this country to attack Iraq for personnel reasons. Has anyone tracked the money for the Iraq war I'm betting you will find lots of it found it's way into the Bush Cheney family pockets.Why are'nt these criminals in jail?
Wow! I hope Rumsfeld can sleep well at night (and Bush too). I've read over and over that more troops were needed in Afghanistan, and here Mr Rumsfeld claims he never heard of such request? Is he saying the generals lied? If anyone is lying, most likely it would be somebody from the Bush administration. Blatant, bold-faced lies...
Just more lies from the Bush Adm.
Now that's a surprise, not!
Lying liars and the liars keep on lying!
And why isn't that traitor Cheney in jail??????
"But Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since October of 2007, said Wednesday that the former top commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, had requested more troops during the previous administration, but they were sent to Iraq instead."
So Rumsfeld is a "bald misstater." To be charitable.
Donald Rumsfeld. Yeah. Right.
If you lie enough some people will believe. wmd anyone?
What do you expect from a coward and a liar.
Rummy wasn't interestedd in the troops just his power base.
he is no better than the bush.
well mr rummi you did such a fine job for us why don't you tell us what to do,,,,,ha ha ha ha,,,you need to shut up,,,,go to denmark ,,people at the hague are wanting to see you,,i am sure they will provide a nice bunk ,,so you can keep it warm for your lover boy cheney,,,and all the other crooks of the shrub admin
A picture of clueless being given instruction by the master. Priceless...
The Grim Reaper requests more troops as well.
Rumsfeld, like Cheney, are just trying to re-write history so they don't look as incompetent as they really were in office. This is a mess that President Obama or Senator McCain (if he had been elected President) would be trying to clean up.
Disservice to the truth is something Rumsfield is an expert in. The lying sack of bovine scatology.
Why isn't this fool in jail already?
RUMSFELD STATING ANYTHING IS A HUGE MISSTATEMENT!
Please don't state anymore! You screwed us up in the first place by not listening to the the generals on the ground!
Note: "But Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since October of 2007, said Wednesday that the former top commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, had requested more troops during the previous administration, but they were sent to Iraq instead."
That says it all!
Bush & Co would love to re-write hostory but I hope the American people won't let them. And here we have Rummy trying to hide behind a sanctimonious reference to "the troops" when he let them down badly and repeatedly! It really offends me to read this stuff, just like it's unbearable to watch Cheney criticize Obama for taking his time to decide what to do about Afghanistan, when Cheney and Bush let the matter dangle for so many years!!! Obama has had to spend his first year in office trying to clean up after this criminally negligent administration.
He doesn't matter – he's old America!
I love the way the republicans instantly twist any criticism of their administration into a critique of the troops. What part of Obama's statement in any way disparages the troops?
and this is news? we all have seen how negative the republicans have been since our president took office. this sort of thing from any republican has become expected.
when will they just try to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem?
Rumsfeld was totally inept........He should just slither away and take Cheney with him.............these guys left a huge mess for our President to deal with....................
Where was Donald Rumsfeld's need for the truth during the Bush administration's 8 years of lies?
Why do these thugs keep on lying. Everyone knows that Afghanistan was not a priority and there is proof to back up what President Obama said.......so bring it on Rummy......you old washed up fart.
Rumsfeld should just shut his mouth and be glad he's not standing trial for war crimes. What a complete piece of garbage.
I think Obama's comment are right on point Mr. Rumsfeld....
Barrys just making crap up left and right now. So glad you all elected an IDIOT!!
God Help the USA!!
Rumsfeld wasn't aware of any sort of request like that? Well I guess it's not too surprising. After all this is the guy who said the Iraq war would last 6 days. Yea... totally credible there Rumsfeld.
Mr. Rumsfeld, the fact that you and Bush had our soldiers fighting a war without the protective equipment needed to protect their lives is such a travesty that you shouldn't make any comments about the sacrifices that soldiers have made.
And, by the way the President didn't misspeak it was public knowledge that troops shouldn't be sent to 'Afgan' because of the war in Iraq. As a US Air Force veteran I say this, Rumsfeld’s assertion does a disservice to the truth, and to the tens of thousands of soldiers in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan.
It's better to remain quiet and be thought ignorant, than to speak and prove it.
Who does Rumsfeld think he is kidding? He is just a bold face liar, and a disgrace to the office of Secretary of Defense. He not only lied constantly about Iraq, he cannot remember (appairently) about Afghanistan either.
What a disgrace to the people in uniform. Unbelievable.
mike
...and Rumsfeld speaks per his track record? Don't Rummy and Dickie ever acknowledge their failures? Still living in a state of irrational deniability.
Easy for Obama to say he is listening and sending troops. At the time Bush was in office there was no way the military could have taken 30,000 troops from Iran and shifted them to Afghanistan. Obama points the finger to the past more than any president I have seen in my lifetime, when is going to understand he won the election and its time to quit running for election. For a man most of America was looking to show us some leadership all he has really done is make as many tv spots as he can and continue his campaign from last year...Oh yea, according to Obama's press secretary, Obama has already golfed more rounds than Bush did during his 8 years, way to go Barack! Way to go......
Weasel Rumsfeld wasn't the defense secretary at the end of the 2nd term of the worst President in American history. Rumdummy had already been ousted. His comments about what was requested when he was defense secretary don't have any bearing on requests that generals made between the time he was fired and the end of Bush's term.
Where are the mouthy, we did the right thing, but ignorant as tree stump republican supporters?
Please explain why Adm. Mullen is saying that requests for troop increases were denied under Rumsfeld's leadership?
Come on you GOP finger sniffers, did you not listen to any news when we were in the middle of a civil war in Iraq but received constant reports that the Taliban in Afghanistan is reconstituting?
Now you dummies listen to the losers who are the architects of our current mess!
Colonel Klink (Rumsfeld) should know better than to make any more public statements. The man will forever be a stain on American history
How do these people like Rumsfeld, and Cheney sleep at night? I guess they totally beleive the lies they conjured up to manipulate the US Government and the people of the United States!
They are lucky that this is a "Free Country" and that they are not spouting this Lunacy from a Fereral Prison cell for their criminal ineptitude!
I thought that the speach that the President made regarding the war in Afghanistan was the the most adult explanination of a wartime situatiom that probably any president has ever made to the country!
Honesty in government is something that these MORONS could never understand!
I trust Admiral Mike Mullen's word over Chicken Hawk Rumsfeld's any day!
If Rumsfeld hadn't been so arrogant, naive, and just plain stupid, he would have listened to the generals in the lead-up to the Iraq war and given them the number of troops (400,000) that they said they would need to invade and secure the country.
Instead, as the insurgency took hold and things began to go terribly wrong, we had to listen to Rumsfeld tell us how "war is a messy thing."
Take a hike, Rummy!
Perhaps this headline should have read: "Rumsfeld Accusation Contradicted By Admiral".
I don't trust what Mr. Rumsfeld says. After all, he is the one that ignored all the generals that thought we were going to need a lot more troops in Iraq. He was never right in his assesments of the wars either because he didn't get it or he wasn't telling the truth. So his claim that there were no requests on the table can't be believed.
I don't care for Rumsfeld but he is right if they have proof then produce it. This administration say alot but it seems that they don't back it up with proof.
Donald Rumsfeld? Really? Isn't he in jail for war crimes somewhere? Should be.
As I recall, Rummy found actually signing the letters that went to families of fallen soldiers too unimportant to actually take up his time, so he had them signed mechanically by an autopen. And now he is talking about a failure to respect our service men and women? You go to hell, Mr. Rumsfeld.
Yep, Rumsfield's opinion is one to be cherished. We've been there, done that...and still stuck in Iraq and Afghanistan!
And why would we doubt anything Rumsfeld says...well, how about this?
1) military strategists said it would take 400,000 troops to control Iraq.
Rumsfeld simply fired every general until he found one who agreed with him and said: "we're going in lean and mean" (and Iraq was a disaster for years as a result
2) how about Rumsfeld's famous prediction about Iraq.
"the war could last 6 days or 6 weeks. But I doubt 6 months (7 years later and the war continues).
3) or how about: "We KNOW Saddam has weapons of mass destruction"... we know where they are".
How Rumsfeld has the gall to say ANYTHING in public is truly astonishing.
OOPs! Mr. Rumsfeld, looks like you made a "bald misstatement".
Rumsfeld needs to keep making his millions off of the DoD welfare budget and shut his mouth. He's the one who lied about Iraq so he and his gang of thieves could award no bid contracts to his buddies and rob the American taxpayer.
Rumsfeld is a national disgrace. When did the truth or respect for our men and women in the armed forces become important to him? Rumsfeld, Cheney and the rest of the Bush cronies had their chance to get it right but they blew it. They should just keep their mouths shut, count their Halliburton millions and be grateful they haven't been charged for war crimes.
Rummy is so old that he is remembering things that never happened. Just ask your generals you dummy.
Well. Hmmmm, do I trust Admiral Mullen and General Mkiernan, or the man who would like to re-write history to make himself not look like the loser who didn't bring back bin laden's head on a stick like he should have. If we had done that when we first went in, we would have had no reason to stick around, unless we really wanted to. Our mission REALLY WOULD have been accomplished. But that was not the war this suit wanted, he wanted to get back a Saddam for bad blood from another era. The era he should have gotten out of politics in, instead of mismanaging our response to 9-11.
Stop giving media to these traitorous has-beens.
How dare they critize a sitting commander-in-chief.
It is un-patriotic.
It is un-American.
These are the same folks that ruined our country and laughed all the way to the banks.
Get them out of the press.
Let's discuss people that have our country's best intentions at heart.
Thier 15 minutes that lasted 8 long years is up!
I support our President and our troops.
Let's get over there and get the job, that they neglected for thier own selfish and destructive interests, done.
Yeah right...like anyone would believe Rumsfeld! He got us into this mess with his arrogance and dishonestly. He needs to go away, take Cheney with him and just shut up!
RUmmy was the most arrogant, combative, and hard-headed Sec Def to ever hold that office. And now he has the cojones to criticize the new Commander in Chief? WHERE was the introspection when you overruled your military commanders and low-balled the number of troops to take and pacify a country of 24 million? Or sent troops in without adequate protection. the arrogance just continues...
Shouldn't Rumsfeld be in jail?
I would not believe anyone who was part of the Bush administration.
Ah, Rummy, unaware yet again. That's what happens when you only listen to people who will tell you what you want to hear.
And yet....shame of Barack Obama for playing politics with this issue. I'm so sick of BO always pointing the finger at Bush and the Obamamaniacs giving BO credit "for cleaning up someon else's mess." That's what Presidents do. They take over from the last President. I, myself, won't give BO any credit unless he actually cleans something up. No way I'll give anyone credit before they have earned it, unlike the Obamamaniacs.
I love how "bald" modifies the euphemism "misstatement" - how does one blatantly and emphatically make a "misstatement"? Politicians speak such gibberish.
Obama: stop the ridiculous (at this point) Bush accusations!
Why can't these republican nut cases support anything this president does. He has bent over backwards to have them join the debate and attempt to solve this nation's myriad problems. All he and the country get from the republicans is raw hatred. They do not care one iota about the welfare of this nation. They are only focused on power and getting rid of the best qualified president we have had in a long time. I wonder if they can envision the state of the nation in the hands of a Mccain and Palin.
I wonder if the world is ready for such people. What a bunch of hate-filled creatures.
Imagine rumsfeld distorting the truth
Obama made "bald" mis-statement? What ?
Sorry Donald, clearly you are thinning a bit on top. We think it goes deeper than just the root. Your creditability is also thinning.
Yet another lie from a member of the previous administration. I guess after eight years of similar behavior, at least some just can't seem to give it up.
It was good to see dumber and dumber back together again.maybe they can figure out how to expedite the secssion of Texas from the United States. they would make a great president and Vice president and Karl rove their Secretary of State. Albertoo Gonzales would be the legal beagle and those four could screw upEX-TEXAS almost as bad as they did the U,S.
How many tens of thousands of troops were begged for by the top Generals in Afghanistan? 20,000? More? All in Iraq where they had no place being. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz should all stand trial for War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity, Genocide of the Iraqi people and Plundering a country for its Natural Resources.
Rumsfeld fought both wars on the cheap and that is his lasting legacy. His actions have directly lead to what we are suffering today in both theaters of conflict. He will assuredly go down as one of the worst Secretaties of Defense this nation has ever had.
We were in TWO WARS....COUNT THEM FOLKS, TWO WARS, because the bush administration with help from such butts as rumsfield. And now he has the timidity to tell the country, this administration is wrong.
After all if the bush administration and it's many enablers had gotten it RIGHT we wouldn't still be in these wars now would we...but then what do you expect from a bunch of republicans screw ups.
Let's see, I must decide who is lying, Rumsfeld, or any other human on earth. Duh! It's Rumsfeld.
Rumsfield thinking is "If i didn't SEE it, then there was no request".
Based on Admiral Mullen's statement, it is Rumsfeld that "does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan".
rummy your a liar
Anther bold LIE by the chinny and butch gang, it wasn't about afganistan, WAKE-UP AMERICA! It's all about the oil. study wwII... He who controls the oil controls the world, look at suadi arabia, filthy rich for no reason at all! what have they contribute lately to the world except terrist and religion!
Rumsfeld's claim that Obama's assertion that troop requests were ignored by the Bush Administration does a disservice to the men and women of the armed forces is a typical republican attempt at misdirection, something the Bush administration proved very adept at. He's a liar.
And Rumsfeld is the idiot who underestimated the needs of the war in Iraq which allowed many Iraqi cities to be plundered by outlaws! Who does he think he is to criticize the efforts of those who have to clean up his mess? Also, who were the architects for drawing down the size of America's military? Cheney and Rumsfeld!
These Republican lackeys who have proven themselves to be incompetent should practice reticence.
Thinking he's God again.....blah, blah,blah.
NObama making things up? Let's all put on our shocked faces...
"Rummy, you did a heck of a job." No go away.
Rumsfeld, the only think you need to think about is being a convict in some max security jail in America the Beautiful.
And I won't care what happens to you there.
You are the devil.
Rumsfeld can't remember what day it is. I guess the Army brass is all wrong now.
Shut up Rummy!!! You were the biggest cluster of a Sec. Def.. It took years for the troops to get all the body armor and up-armored vehicles they begged for. You were most incompetant and today Sec. Gates runs rings around you. You rode off into the sunset leaving a disaster in your wake. bye bye and take Cheney with you. Losers!!!
Obama is a liar. Nothing new here except the continuing media support of this most incompetent of presidents.
I don't think Rummy was aware of much of anything.
Rumsfeld is an almost bald mistake. CNN, why do you keep putting these liars and idiots on such a public platform I do believe we have had enough of them.
Have a Happy Holiday.
Who does Rumsfeld think he's fooling...what a dishonest person he is.
You screwed up Rummy. Just admit it.
Will ever these cantankerous old men shut-up? Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney should explain to the American people who are the war profiteers and where are the weapons of the mass destruction!
Gee...I wonder who to believe here?! Rumsfield who stated in several interviews that he/they "knew right where (Sadam's) weapons of mass destruction were".....and obviously there were none...or General David Mckiernan, who went on record asking for more troops and was backed up by Admiral Mullen. Rumsfeld is a proven "misstater" of facts and should be ignored. Remember he and Cheney are the architects of the Iraq war.....Ole "do it on the cheap" and "no exit strategy" Rummy....what a dirtbag.
Says the man with zero credibility...
I fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan during the previous administration and it was always understood that we were shorthanded because of Iraq. When has anything that Rumsfeld said turned out to be true. It is an insult to the men and women who have served in these two wars to have Rumsfeld use our service to try to further his cause, whatever that cause may be. Oh yea, when I went to Iraq a year later it was very clear where all the resources that should have been used in Afghanistan were.
Rumsfield actually has the nerve to accuse someone of making "bald misstatments"?
Donald you and the Bush were perfect. Just ask Rush and the GOP.
Great move into Iraq, nice priority with Afghanistan, beautiful work with the economy.
Donald Rumsfeld "YOU LIE"
Rumsfeld purposely let Bin Laden go at Tora Bora, so Cheney & Co. could justify the war in Iraq.
If we had caught Bin Laden, there would have been no justification to go into Iraq. President Cheney knew it (who knows if told the titular President Bush of the scheme).
I want to add also that Rummy is being disingenuous. He cannot "recall" getting a request for more troops. Yet he says Obama made a "bald mistatement." If Rummy cannot exactly "recall", then he cannot be sure Obama made a bald mistatement, can he? Don Rumsfeld is obviously trying to have things both ways.
Why isn't Rumsfeld in a military brig somewhere awaiting execution? These incredibly dumb and intellectually limited buffoons – Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bybee, Yoo, Bush, McCain – are an embarrassment to the country, and frankly to humanity.
Rumsfeld is an idiot. His terrible strategy dropped us in to this mire. He hopelessly underestimated the required troop numbers and allowed all this to get out of hand. His strategy was analogous to not taking the full course of antibiotics, by soft pedaling the war he gave the enemy time to train and learn how to fight against us. Rumsfeld has no moral or technical authority.
He lied his way into the presidency why should he stop now. I just condemn the people who should have know better that backed him. What were you thinking?
This coming from a 5 deferrmant chickenhawk who never served in the military and created the mess in Iraq.
You sir are the last person on this planet who should even open their mouth to give their opinion.
GEN Eric Shinseki, an honest soldier who told Rumsfeld the cold hard truth that it would take 300,000 or more troops to hold Iraq – Rumsfeld fired Shinseki for that bold honesty because Rumsfeld's bean counters wanted to invade Iraq with numbers that made the war appear sustainable based on troop rotations. What commander in Afghanistan would then contradict Rumsfeld and his view that we could win the war in Afghanistan simply by supporting the mujahadeen? To a large degree, Rumsfeld created this mess by insisting that his military commanders be "yes men" or get relieved of command.
Who do you believe - Mullen or Rumsfeld?? I think I know without hearing.
Why do I doubt it was a misstatement? The truth of the matter is this; we started this action in Afghanistan back in 2002. In 2003 our attention was diverted to Iraq, where we attempted and are still attempting to save a nickle on a gallon of gas. We should have been paying attention while we and our NATO allies were pushing Al QU.e.da and the Tal.i.ban into Pakistan, a nation with a nuclear arsenal.
The last administration was too busy with Corporate interests instead of our National interest.
"Bush administration ignored requests for more troops to battle the Taliban, declaring the president's remark made during his address on Afghanistan a "bald misstatement."
Actually, it's not a "bald misstatement" call it what it is.....a bald lie
WOW
I mean was there anything that the previous administration did right? Aside from looting the commonwealth, anything? Anyone....
I would not trust Doanld Rumsfeld any further than I could throw a one ton pile of manure.
What do you expect? He's got himself between the country he's supposed to lead, and his muslim brotherhood....He has absolutely no clue or experience about military or any other type of leadership. So, our young soldiers will be put in harm's way to fulfill his anti-American political agenda. God help us all...
Rumsfeld got everything else wrong so why believe him on this one.
Like Rumsfeld has "ANY" credibility
Remember folks, Rumsfeld was a regular visitor to see Saddam in Iraq, when Saddam was gassing 10,000 civilians
As a matter of fact, I believe Rumsfeld was instrumental in providing the gas
And on a second note, if this photo of Bush does not display the ignorant arrogance of the Bush years, nothing does
On a third note, Obama is the best thing this country has see in 100 years
You might not have been aware of this request because you routinely ignored the needs of our service personnel in Afghanistan. There's a REASON YOU LOST and THIS IS ONE OF THEM! *eyeroll
Gee, who should I believe, The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Bush in 2007, or Donald Rumsfeld?
Nobody in the Cheney / Bush administration can be trusted.
Key words, during his time as Secretary of Defense. During his time as Secretary of Defense our troops in Iraq were not adequate, they did not have proper equipment. Some of his decisions were questionable. Now he wants to question President Obama?
Perhaps if he did a better job at fighting the wars begun on his watch, President Obama would not have to deal with the aftermath.
Rumsfeld is yet another Bush administration reviser of history. He did a horrible job as defense secretary with his oft stated 'you go to war with the army you have, not the army you don't have'. Moron. He could have invaded Afghanistan and Iraq with capable armies, but it was HE and BUSH that decided to do it the loser way. Glad those two are gone.
Yes, a "disservice to the truth" and to the "thousands ... who have fought, served, and sacrifices in Afghanistan" WAS done. But it was done BY RUMSFELD, CHENEY, BUSH AND THEIR LYING PATSIES. THEY are the ones who lied to start the war they wanted in Iraq and ignored the too- few troops they sent to Afghanistan. INDICT, CONVICT, AND IMPRISON BUSH, CHENEY, AND RUMSFELD NOW!
That's what always struck me as hypocritical about the hawks: while criticizing others about wanting to "cut and run" from Iraq, they ignored the fact that that's what Bush and the gang did in Afghanistan.
that's rich .......... 'truth' ........... as defined by the guy who helped design the Iraq War & the Afghanistan War. George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld ......... you couldn't make these guys up if you tried!!!!!!!! And did I hear correctly today, Sarah Palin has quit her book tour ......... 1/2 way through it?????????
After all that has come to light about this sordid Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld cabal and their drive to invade Iraq come hell or high water, is there any legitamit reasont to listen to anything they have to say in their defense? We already know that they are history revisionist. I would never take Rumsfeld at his word even if he told me that water was wet.
yet another Obama lie YOU LIE! fits him perfectly
US future in Afganistan will never be like in vietnam. Back them there was a civil war in which the guerilla with the leftist ideology was supported by US former ideology enemy, THE SOVIET UNION. Today Russia & China are confronting the same islamic terrorist attacks as US. If u are going to mention history, you have to be thruthfull , specially for the young americans who never experience the fear of communisn.
The truth will set you free except in this case it will or should send the Bush crew to jail. They will do all they can to justify their going into Iraq instead of going after those who actually harmed us.
The war in afghanistan could have been over by now if Bush had done the right thing.
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld what did you expect him and Vice President Cheney to agree with President Obama?
Please I am sick of the news media keep putting Cheney and Rumsfeld lies in the news.
Lies, lies and more lies from the Bush Administration.
I voted both times for W and I'm shocked, saddened, and stunned at the lies continuing to come from Rumsfeld, Cheney, et al.
Our country will need a long time to recover from the mess that was the W Administration.
Everytime I read about Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and any other of the Bush cronies, I feel like it was all a terrible nightmare. But then they all reappear on CNN news coverage. Uggghhhh! Why can't they all just disappear and spare us having to remember those awful and embarrassing years in American history?!?!?
RumsFAILED-–Anything he says is as relevant as Limbaugh's bluberings.........Go away and take the FORMER Vice President with you!!
Since when has Obama told the truth. His actions don't match his pretty words.
(I personally don't think he is a great speaker. He rarely speaks from the heart and most of the stuff he says is 'feel good' fluff–no meaning)
Here's what's going on: Cheney and his band of brothers, daughter and one lonely former press secretary are beginning a new narrative. Here are the talking points:
-No terrorist attack occurred during bush administration
-Bush-Cheney not responsible for deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
-Military didn't request more troops in Afghanistan during bush administration
-Obama to blame for Afghanistan
I just can't believe that this guy took four months and ten meetings to reach the same decision or conclusion to send more troops.Although he kept criticizing Bush's policies,he still copy Bush's strategies at the end of day.
I find it rather amusing that these old republicans, who started the Iraq war (which was not legal), and by all rights went into Afghan, only to botch the job are coming out and saying that President Obama made a "bald misstatement." Do they not realize that their administration under the leadership of Bush caused all the current problems Americans are facing today? The 2 wars, the complete runation of our economy are, in my opinion, totally the fault of the Bush administration. Do they not realize that President Obama is trying to fix their mistakes? These people are just pathetic, and of course they are mostly Republicans and Conservatives...go figure! I will put my trust in President Obama any day of the week over these nasty Republicans/Conservatives. I just wonder why these people are so full of hate, every action/word is designed to make our President fail. Personally, I believe President Obama will have the last laugh.
That crowd (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc.) are quickly becoming irrelevant history. Thank God!
You, Mr. Rumsfeld do a disservice to the truth.
You Mr. Rumsfeld have lied repeatedly in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought,
I cannot believe you are not in jail, you are a criminal
wow, is this the pot calling the kettle black? the bush years were the worst years for this country! everyone lived beyond their means, and lived like they had no responsiblilty to the future. he destroyed this country and should shut his mouth!
Rumsfeld doesn't support the troops. Never has. Never will.
(NEED I SAY MORE)... The "Bald Truth" is a weekly talk radio show hosted by Spencer Kobren, founder and president of the American Hair Loss Association. The show is two hours long and airs every Sunday night at 5PM PT/8PM ET from the Westwood One studios in Los Angeles, California. Host Kobren is also a best-selling author, having published the books The Bald Truth: The First Complete Guide to Preventing and Treating Hair Loss, and The Truth About Women's Hair Loss. (THAT's HAS MORE VALUE than Rumsfeld's accusation)
It always amazes me how Cheney and Rumsfeld can run off at the mouth as if they are credible in any shape or form when these two idiots are the very same fumbling clowns who DROVE our country into TWO WARS costing us (the taxpayers) BILLIONS and BILLIONS of dollars!!
Go figure......I guess NOW that they don't have to clean up their own mess they NOW behave as if they are the "experts" and have all the answers.
WHERE was Rumsfeld's solutions when he was in the White House? WHERE was Cheney's solutions when he was quietly hiding in a secluded bunker?