Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Is the ship sinking...

cause it looks like the rats are leaving.
Ashcroft and Evans, gone.
Powell, Rumsfeld, Thompson and Rice maybe?
Giuliani say nope I don't want to play with you guys.
MSNBC

If this happens there's not much meat left in the sandwich.
I don't think it will happen for the simple fact that this administration would be in big trouble if they let it happen.
Is it rumor? Maybe.
Is there truth to this rumor? Maybe.
Bla bla bla liberal media bla bla? Maybe.
But if it is true...why?

2nd Administration shakeups are nothing new. Look at Clinton and Regean administrations for examples...

I'd hate to see Rice leave, Ashcroft hasn't been a great boon or burden and I'd DREAD seeing Powell leave.

Rumsfeld? I'd cheer him out the door.

Honestly, I don't see how any of them have any hair remaining on their heads or not two steps away from a padded cell, as the strain has been simply astonishing since 9/11. I bet stress is the #1 factor in making the departure decision for many of these people...

It should be good to see some fresh blood in this administration. There are certain characters that I sincerely hope will stay the course, though.

Perhaps the reason certain members of Clinton's cabinet (Reno, etc.) stayed for so long is because no one wanted them in the private sector. Just a thought...I could be wrong.

I'm glad to see Ashcroft gone. Maybe he'll take the Patriot Act with him.

Mixed feelings about a shakeup. Happy to see a few go, apprehensive about who might replace them. Paranoid that Ashcroft might get anywhere near a Supreme Court seat.

You do understand that its standard that the Attorney General only serves one term, right? Its nothing new, its a very difficult position to be in, no matter what, let alone post-9/11. There will be shakeups, for sure, but to say the ship is sinking is silly.

E1

I don't think that any of us here any the slightest idea just how stressful these cabinet positions really are. Ashcroft's gallbladder removal was directly attributed to extreme levels of stress. The other positions given 9/11 aren't much different though his was probably one of the worst hit. Most of these people are just looking forward to being able to spend time with their families again after four years of being a ghost on the homefront for all intents and purposes. They are human just like all the rest of us and they have limits, most of which have been crossed at this point.

Also, cabinet shuffles almost always occur at re-election time. Fresh talent brings in people who aren't run down and worried about ailing family relationships, health issues, and so forth. As important as these positions are to each individual they mean nothing if they risk losing their families in the process. In many ways the cabinet positions are a much more stressful job than the presidency itself.

Re-election is the only "good" time for those to step down that know they need to. Any other time and it can be touch and go politically in so far as damage control is concerned unless an obvious reason is at hand.

Given the suspect nature of the problems on both the domestic issues and the foreign policy issues it would seem prudent on several levels to get some new cabinet members in place.