GOP senators defend Rumsfeld from criticism

WASHINGTON -- The Senate's top two Republicans voiced support for Donald Rumsfeld on Friday as allies of the defense secretary sought to outflank increasingly vocal GOP critics in and out of Congress.

"I am confident that Secretary Rumsfeld is fully capable of leading the Department of Defense and our military forces to victory in Iraq and the war on terror," Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said in a written statement. "Most importantly he has the confidence of his commanders in the field and our commander in chief."

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the GOP whip, said Rumsfeld "is an excellent secretary of defense and we are fortunate to have a man of his courage and vision serving the president at this critical time."

Frist and McConnell came to Rumsfeld's defense after several days of GOP criticism aimed at the man who has steered the Pentagon during the Iraq war and its messy aftermath. More than 1,300 American troops have died since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began in 2003.

None of Rumsfeld's congressional GOP critics has yet called for his ouster. Still, they have grown increasingly outspoken in recent days, less than two weeks after White House disclosed that the president wanted the defense secretary to remain in his post into a second term.

The increased criticism from Republicans also coincides with the aftermath of Rumsfeld's encounter with troops in Kuwait who complained about long deployments and a lack of armored vehicles and other equipment.

"I'm not a fan of Secretary Rumsfeld," said Sen. Trent Lott in remarks to the Biloxi, Miss., Chamber of Commerce this week. "I don't think he listens enough to his uniformed officers." The Mississippi Republican said Bush should make a change at the Pentagon in the next year or so.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, released a letter to Rumsfeld asking why the Army had not moved more aggressively to produce fully armored Humvees for the troops in Iraq -- an issue she said she had raised at a hearing nine months ago.

"I don't like the way he has done some things. I think they have been irresponsible," said Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. The Vietnam veteran's list of alleged military offenses was a long one: "We didn't go into Iraq with enough troops. He's dismissed his general officers. He's dismissed all outside influence. He's dismissed outside counsel and advice. And he's dismissed a lot of inside counsel and advice from men and women who have been in military uniform for 25 and 30 years."

Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he had "no confidence" in the defense secretary, although he added that Bush "can have the team that he wants around him."

In the face of GOP criticism, White House spokesman Scott McClellan has been issuing declarations of presidential support on a regular basis.

"Secretary Rumsfeld is doing a great job leading our efforts at the Department of Defense to win the war on terrorism and to help bring about a free and peaceful Iraq," he said on Friday. "And he's instrumental in our efforts during this time of war we are in."

Other than Frist and McConnell, David Keene of the American Conservative Union issued a statement of support during the day. He said much of the GOP criticism was "petty, coming from some who do not care for the secretary's blunt, plain-speaking style. ... It's also true that much of the criticism is really intended for President Bush but aimed at Rumsfeld."

In contrast to the presidential campaign, when Sen. John Kerry and other Democrats routinely called for Rumsfeld's ouster, much of the recent criticism has come from Republicans.

In part, that reflects the fact that the election is over and the president safely re-elected. It also stems from grievances nursed privately by lawmakers who feel Rumsfeld has not treated them with the deference they expect, GOP aides say.

Frist's brief written statement seemed to refer to such concerns. "I think it is important to not confuse style with substance," he said.

Apart from members of Congress, retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and William Kristol, a prominent conservative, have criticized Rumsfeld.

Nor has the Democratic criticism stopped.

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., who recently returned from an official visit to Iraq, said Rumsfeld should step down.

"To err is human, but to refuse to acknowledge error or learn from error or correct error, that's not excusable," he said in an interview.