By: E&P Staff President Bush met the press this afternoon, and announced the departure of Pentagon chief Donald Rumseld, saying he had served with "honor."
But he also answered questions from the press, often cracking jokes. He admitted that the Iraq war had at least "something to do" with the Democratic gains in yesterday's election, explaining, "It's tough in a time of war, when people see carnage on their television screen." But he warned that the insurgents there should not be "joyful" over the Democratic wins
He said he'd had a "gracious" conversation with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who will be the new Speaker of the House, this morning, adding that it went well. He added that he took responsibility for his party's defeat, and offered to give Pelosi help on interior decorating and picking out drapes for her new office.
Although Vice President Cheney and many other Republicans had said, during the recent campaign, that a Democratic victory would aid the insurgents in Iraq, Bush said, "I truly believe that Congresswoman Pelosi and Senator Reid care as much about the security of this country as I do. ... Their spirit is such that they want to protect America." He added: "Democrats will support our troops as much as we will."
Later, however, he said in looking ahead to the election he had hoped the American people understood importance of a good economy and security, adding that his party lost anyway.
Asked by Newsweek's Richard Wollfe about his attacks on Democrats' views of security during the campaign, Bush admitted he had made such attacks, but added, "the campaign is over," and repeated his claims that he believes they do stand for security.
But he also said about Iraq: "The election does not mean America is going to leave. We are not going to leave."
Asked about working with Democrats on the war, he said, "If their goal is success, we can work together. If [their] goal is to get out now, then it will be difficult to work with them.
"I look back to Truman and Eisenhower. Truman started the Cold War and Eisenhower continued it."
That might not have been the best way to put it, and Bush also mangled history when asked about the growing Iraq/Vietnam comparisons. He said he didn't see the "parallel," and mentioned that, for example, the recent elections in Iraq means "it's different from Vietnam." But
South Vietnam did have numerous elections during the earlier war.
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