RUMMY ON MAY 7, 2004

This is just a little reminder of how out of touch our former Secretary of Defense was over 3 years ago.¹

Sen. BAYH: ... So my question, Mr. Secretary, my final question is just very simply, do you believe we're on the right course presently? Or is dramatic action necessary to regain the momentum so that we can ultimately prevail in what is a very noble and idealistic undertaking?

Sec. RUMSFELD: I do believe we're on the right track. It's a tough road. It's a bumpy road. It's always been bumpy going from a vicious dictatorship to something approximating a--a representative government that's respectful of its different, varied religious and ethnic groups. It's not an easy path. I am convinced that we are doing exactly what ought to be done, and that is to pass responsibility for that country to the Iraqis. I am convinced we're doing exactly what ought to be done in recognizing that they need to have the ability to provide for their own security, which is why so much effort's gone into developing police and civil defense corps and an army and border patrols and site protection people. We do not want America--they do not want Americans or coalition forces in their country over a prolonged period, and goodness knows, we don't want to be there. The only proper way to pass it off is if they have their own security forces, which is why we're spending the money and making the effort. It's why General Abizaid and--and General Sanchez and General Petraeus now are over there working that problem. And I think that we've got a crack at doing it. I don't think it'll be smooth. I think it'll be rough. It'll be bumpy. But--but if you don't take your hand off the bicycle seat, you're not going to be able to ride the bike. And we've got to do that, and we're going to do that.

¹CBS News Transcripts
SHOW: CBS News Special Report (11:44 AM AM ET) - CBS
May 7, 2004 Friday
TYPE: Special Report/Speech
LENGTH: 23457 words
HEADLINE: Testimony before Senate Armed Services Committee on Iraqi prison abuse