Lieberman Likely?
By Denise Best | Related entries in General Politics, In The NewsHere’s an interesting rumor being floated as to a possible change in leadership at the Department of Defense …
White House officials are telling associates they expect Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to quit early next year, once a new government is formed in Iraq, sources said yesterday.
Now that wouldn’t be a surprise – it’s the possible replacement that causes a bit of a double-take.
Rumsfeld’s deputy, Gordon England, is the inside contender to replace him, but there’s also speculation that Sen. Joe Lieberman – a Democrat who ran against Bush-Cheney in the 2000 election – might become top guy at the Pentagon.
Now that would be an interesting appointment!
That’s not as farfetched as it might first appear.
The Daily News has learned that the White House considered Lieberman for the UN ambassador’s job last year before giving the post to John Bolton, a Bush adviser said.
“He thought about it for a week or so and finally said no,” the adviser recalled.
A source close to the White House said Rumsfeld wanted out a year ago, after Bush’s reelection, but neither he nor President Bush wanted his departure to appear to have been forced.
“They didn’t want to give the critics the satisfaction that their piling on was what got rid of him,” a Bush adviser said.
Bush has told friends that Rumsfeld is a political liability, but the President has a history of sticking with his personnel baggage until an opportune moment.
Lieberman would seem to be a positive choice for the role and one presumbly that could lead toward some bipartisian-building.
Question is – would he want the post?
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