Billmon: Rummy Punch

The campaign to relieve Field Marshal Von Rumsfeld of his baton is picking up steam, with more retired generals and the hawkish Washington Post columnist David Ignatius calling for his resignation.

The catcalls have grown so loud that the White House apparently has decided it can't go on pretending not to hear them. So Scotty "my-ass-is-halfway-out-the-door-already" McClellan used a question at Thusday's press briefing as an opportunity to reaffirm his master's undying support for the embattled defense secretary:

"The president believes Secretary Rumsfeld is doing a very fine job during a challenging period in our nation's history," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said at a briefing. He went on to read long quotations from the nation's top military officer, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, praising Rumsfeld's dedication and patriotism.