Donald Rumsfeld, architect of the unpopular Iraq war, resigned as defense secretary before last year's November election but his decision was not announced until after the voting, according to his resignation letter obtained by Reuters on Wednesday."Perhaps" nothing. As good a race as the Democrats ran in 2006, the GOP almost certainly holds Virginia if Rummy retires before the election. That race alone tips the scales in the Senate. (The House was almost certainly lost regardless, though this may have tipped a seat or two.)
The letter was dated November 6, the day before voters, angered by Iraq, went to the polls and swept Republicans from power in Congress. According to a stamp on the letter, President George W. Bush saw it on election day.
Bush, however, did not announce that Rumsfeld would leave until the day after the election.
That infuriated some Republicans, who said their party might have kept more seats in Congress and perhaps kept control of the Senate if Rumsfeld had left before the election.
This, of course, is further proof that for all the accolades, Rove was a mediocre strategist at best. Announcing Rumsfeld's resignation before the election may have made a difference for the GOP. Choosing not to cost them dearly. Thanks, Turd Blossom, and happy trails.
