Durbin, Obama join rising chorus of calls for Rumsfeld's head, Bush tells us "I'm the decider"

What an utter fool. Just take a gander (but not too soon after a meal) at the leader of the free world ranting at the podium while trying to defend his disastrous Sec. of Defense.
(Thanks to Bradblog for hosting the clip.)

Reporter: What do you say to the critics who believe that you are ignoring the advice of retired generals and military commanders who say there needs to be a change?

Bush: I say I listen to all voices but mine's the final decision and Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job. He's not only transforming the military, he's fighting a war on terror - He's helping us fight a war on terror. I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld. I hear the voices [in your head?] and I read the front page [then lose interest] and I know the speculation but I'm the decider and I decide what is best and what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of defense.

In the Trib:

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin called Tuesday for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to be replaced and said he hopes Congress will debate the issue next week.

"This situation has gone from bad to terrible, and I think it's time for new leadership in the Pentagon," the Illinois Democrat told reporters.

Durbin, the Senate's second-highest ranking Democrat, said he is talking to other lawmakers about the possibility of voting on whether they still have confidence in Rumsfeld.

"Let the Senate go on record," he said.

His call comes after six retired generals have publicly called for Rumsfeld's resignation, accusing him of mishandling the Iraq War, ignoring advice of field commanders and managing arrogantly.

"We can't ignore that," Durbin said. "We owe it to the soldiers to stand up for them and say if the policymakers at the top aren't doing their job, they'll be replaced."
...
Another Illinois Democrat, Sen. Barack Obama, has suggested Rumsfeld should go.

"If the president wants to continue to be saddled by somebody who the military thinks is ineffective, then that is his authority as commander in chief, but I think it's one more bit of bad judgment" Obama said Monday.

In light of Bush's increasingly incoherent and drunken sounding statements of late, Carl Bernstein's words in Vanity Fair ring more true than ever.

"After Nixon's resignation, it was often said that the system had worked. Confronted by an aberrant president, the checks and balances on the executive by the legislative and judicial branches of government, and by a free press, had functioned as the founders had envisioned.

"The system has thus far failed during the presidency of George W. Bush—at incalculable cost in human lives, to the American political system, to undertaking an intelligent and effective war against terror, and to the standing of the United States in parts of the world where it previously had been held in the highest regard.

"There was understandable reluctance in the Congress to begin a serious investigation of the Nixon presidency. Then there came a time when it was unavoidable. That time in the Bush presidency has arrived."