Yes, you read that right: CNN just reported that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will step down. We were giddy for about 10 minutes, until an astute political observer (my mother-in-law) just posited a way this could turn bad: Bush could appoint pro-war Democrat Sen. Joseph Lieberman as Rummy’s replacement. Connecticut’s Republican governor could then appoint a Republican replacement for Lieberman, which would take away the Democrats’ apparent edge in the Senate. Remember, a 50-50 Senate gives the edge to the GOP, because Vice-President Dick Cheney would cast the tiebreaker on any even votes. Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.

EDIT: Thank God, I’ve already been proven wrong. See the post above about Bush appointing Robert Gates as Rummy’s successor.

This article appears in November 3 • 2006.

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