1115.org

Presumably there’s a reason why George Bush – despite his abundantly documented inability to fire anyone whom he regards as a friend, no matter how badly they screw up, and no matter how severe the consequences of said screwing up – finally fired Donald Rumsfeld. Presumably the reason was that it was the only possible way to begin to get out of the unbelievable mess Iraq has turned into. Presumably the reason had something to do with saving the lives (both American and Iraqi) that are being needlessly lost there every day.

That’s the trouble with making reasonable assumptions. The truth is often much more tawdry. Here’s what Newsweek is now reporting:

Donald Rumsfeld’s successor as Defense secretary, Robert Gates, is due to have his confirmation hearing in early December—a process Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada predicted would be swift. “We want the change to take place very quickly,” Reid said.

Not so quickly, after all. A White House spokesperson confirms that Gates will be sworn in as the new Defense secretary “in the new year,” a good two weeks after his confirmation. According to the White House, Gates needs extra time to wind up affairs as president of Texas A&M University. But that’s news in College Station, Texas, where Gates has been handing everything over to the man he calls “my strong right arm,” the executive vice president and provost, David Pratt. Gates has publicly announced that he will quit A&M on “completion of the confirmation process and a Senate vote.”

The mixed messages have fueled speculation over the delayed departure. One source close to the White House, who spoke anonymously in order to keep his job, believes President George W. Bush has decided to wait until after Dec. 29 “as a personal gesture to Rumsfeld.” On that date Rumsfeld would become the longest-serving Defense secretary, beating Robert McNamara’s record of 85 months.

If anyone wants to now explain to me why Bush sacked Rumsfeld, I’m all ears. I ask only that your explanation squares with why he was sacked right after the midterm election, and why his swearing-in is being delayed a good two weeks.