May 6, 2004 - It happened on Donald Rumsfeld’s watch as a result of the course that he charted.

All the sugar coated excuses of ignorance of the fact, failures of discipline, and the molasses pace of information up the chain of command don’t furnish an excuse to avoid responsibility. The Abu Ghraib outrages are just the latest and most egregious example of the results of a policy, determined by the Secretary himself, to remove any enforceable rights from military prisoners and civilian detainees alike. What the world has seen in indictment after indictment of the detention system put in place by Secretary Rumsfeld, administered by Secretary Rumsfeld, and now defended by Secretary Rumsfeld. It has been a disservice to his President and a disservice to the nation.

Nothing less than the international reputation of America as a bulwark against tyranny and a beacon of freedom have been left in tatters by Donald Rumsfeld’s stewardship. That is what the President must now defend and restore. That the crisis reached a boiling point in the midst of a contentious political campaign can also be laid to the Secretary’s door. It is unfortunate that because of that timing considerations of partisanship may intrude upon the requirements of statesmanship. Partisan considerations aside, it is time for the President to act, to exercise leadership and act in the interest of the nation. Donald Rumsfeld must be discharged and discharged now.

The logical choice to replace him is presently serving in the cabinet. Colin Powell has the credentials, the military experience and the respect of the nation. He should be asked to take on the task of cleaning up the mess that Rumsfeld has made and be given a free hand to do so. This is a mess that can’t be cleaned up from the bottom. It has to be scrubbed from the top down.

Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana is the person most suited to replace Secretary Powell at the State Department. His thoughtful command of the nation’s interests abroad has been evident in his long Senate service. He has the respect of both parties and the proven ability to be a dynamic and forceful advocate of America’s interests around the world.

This is not a storm that the ship of state can ride out until after the election. If the President is to avoid this outrageous symptom of a misbegotten policy becoming a defining issue in that election, then he must act now. He must take responsibility and take command. That, not giving lip service to American ideals and democratic principles while turning a blind eye to the disasters than unsupervised subordinates have wrought, is the essence of leadership. By taking decisive action now the President will serve both the interests of the nation and his own hope of re-election. Good government is not good politics but it is the only course that can save his political fortunes.

This is not a time for partisan carping or political posturing. We cannot afford to either let Abu Ghraib be dismissed, as some virulent voices have, as mere schoolboy pranks or to permit ourselves to defend the acts as paling in comparison to Saddam’s atrocities. We hold ourselves to a higher standard than that. Nor can we afford to follow the politician’s maxim that holds when a foe is beginning to self-destruct do nothing to impede his progress. We must urge the President to act boldly in the interest of the nation. He dwells in the Peoples’ House and spring cleaning is overdue.