Rant #11 - Playing Rummy... Could it be Time to Discard?

I'm about to go off on a little rant... (albeit a wee controversial)

Approaching this November election, we stand 7 days away from a watershed moment in politics, and American sentiment. For the first time in 30 years we could see the atmosphere and condition of another nation around the world determine how we are going to live here in America. More than 60% of Americans are frustrated with the war in Iraq and agree that it has not gone exceptionally well. In fact, the President agrees with them. No particular person is to blame for this scenario, but the percolating facts and figures tend toward one side of the soup bowl. And whether right or wrong - I've learned that management life is never fair - fault (or the lack thereof) does not always equal responsibility, yet it does not negate it either; and wherever the epicenter of criticism should be in blaming our losses in Iraq, we must make a decision about how to correct the current malaise.

In the midst of this, it would be a mistake to believe President Bush is the person we ought to focus on in this debate. It has been unfortunate that the focus of this election for months has been on a man that is not even on the ballot. On the one hand, the political left is right to portray this election not in a local context, but on a national perspective. If you want the current national state of being to continue, your vote may play a very large part in determining the future course of our country. But on the other hand, the stakes are high: Chairmanship of every committee in Congress is up in the air, and if laid in the hands of eager Democratic visionaries, we will see the rise of middle and top end taxes on income, restoration of ridiculous increases of government entitlements, decreased funding of intelligence agencies, and either a full pull-out of Iraq or simply political deadlock on the campaign - leaving no fire behind push. The factors effecting the purity of our war in Iraq have been numerous and unpredictable.

NEWS FLASH: All wars suffer the same fate!

If the Republican Party has just one more significant trick up it's sleeve, I measureably believe it could be one thing: ask Donald Rumsfeld to resign.

Ok, take a breather and consider it for a moment......

You good? Ok. Donald Rumsfeld represents a number of glaring truths about this war, and our country's approach to armed conflict.

• He stands firm and makes resolute decisions he feels are the best for the country
• He has aggressively and effectively placed the entire military industrial complex on the chopping table, and made it leaner, meaner and more efficient. In short, we're getting more bang for our buck, so to speak.
• He has a very defined goal in mind, rather than a muddled, one-day-at-a-time mentality. He knows we must get the job done in Iraq, and does not want to throw away any accomplishment by pulling out before the right time.

But... I also believe he has shown his resolve can ruffle feathers, get under the skin of subordinates, irritate diplomatic relations... he has revealed to his counterparts in the media that he is stubborn to the point of encyclopedic proportions. While his strengths make him a valuable asset, his method makes him a liability.

For nearly a year and a half, the President has stood by the side of Rumsfeld, declaring his confidence in the man, and repeating his mantra that they are "getting the job done". Unfortunately for the President, as the American people have grown weary of this war's daily figures and headlines they've begun to place the onus upon him, not just his administration, or even terrorists that know conditions on the ground affect policy and public sentiment here. So suddenly, the third district House race in "Anywhere, U.S.A." matters more than it did last time. This Congressional election has become a referendum on America's emotional capacity for nasty headlines. And our economy and national security may suffer the consequences.

If the Republican Party wants to turn this election on its ugly head and go into the last several day stretch with a push the Democratic Party will not have time to construe an answer to, there is only one choice I believe they have to make: Release Donald Rumsfeld.

Even if he's not asked to leave right away, the sentiment will have such a staggering effect on media consciousness, it will ripple through America quicker than $100 million of dirty prime-time advertising. Bush will become the water-cooler conversation for the next 5 business days, and people who have been questioning the President's ability to lead, whether legitimate or not, just may tilt on the fence of opinion and vote with their gut, not their emotions. This action would not be a surrender, it would not project weakness; it would certainly undermine the only claim the Democratic Party has against this administration in light of a roaring economy, rising wages and benefits, lower crime, easing health-care costs, historically low unemployment, increasing diplomatic relations with North Korea, increased border security, disappearing budget deficits (in fact, achieving budget surpluses within 6 years), record stock indexes, higher standards for public education, resolved baseball labor agreements (thank GOD!)... or whatever else you can think we have now that we did not 6 years ago. So, if you want to change all these things about our nation's current condition, then vote your emotions and against Republican candidates. Otherwise, vote with your gut, your brain, your wallet, or whatever it is that makes you vote for the conservative agenda.

The facts before voters (although a bit clouded and unclear) are that the economic condition is incredibly viable through many terrible factors, local and state governments are becoming more solvent and effective, small businesses are flourishing, international security threats are being dealt with in a determined manner... and despite the discouraging news from a war that is as difficult as any other we have fought, we ought to consider that all the great things that have been accomplished the last 5-6 years could begin to dim if we lose faith in a system of government that allows Americans to control their own destiny, their own finances and their own day to day functions. Keeping that subtle drift toward more government control is more important to me than casting my emotional vote on how I feel about Iraq, and I believe most of the rest of us feel the same.

I believe the key to winning this election handily, rather than by the hair on our chinny-chin-chin is by discarding our highest scoring card for the sake of beating the odds. Bid Rummy a respectable farewell and say hello to Deputy Gordon England or General Pace.

Think about it...