2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Backs Rumsfeld Anew, Rejects Critics

By Scott Stearns
White House
18 April 2006

President Bush  
  
President Bush is rejecting critics of Defense¹ Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.  The president says he has the final say in whether Rumsfeld stays in the job, and that he has full confidence in his defense secretary.  The comments follow criticism from retired² generals calling for Rumsfeld's dismissal.

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President Bush says he does not appreciate speculation³ about Rumsfeld's future, speculation sparked by unusually public criticism from six retired generals calling for the defense secretary's dismissal.

Taking questions from reporters in the White House Rose Garden, Mr. Bush says he listens to all the voices, but his is the final decision.

"Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job," Mr. Bush says. "He is not only transforming the military, he is fighting a war on terror.  He is helping⁴ us fight a war on terror.  I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld.  I hear the voices.  And I read the front page.  And I know the speculation.  But I am the decider.  And I decide what is best.  And what is best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."

Donald Rumsfeld   
  
Rumsfeld says he serves at the pleasure of the president and has no intention of resigning.

Much of the retired-military criticism centers on the defense secretary's management style and his direction of the war in Iraq, a campaign that he initially⁵ said required far fewer troops than some uniformed officers recommended.

In an unusual written statement of support Friday, President Bush addressed those management complaints head-on, saying he has seen first hand how Rumsfeld relies on military commanders in the field and at the Pentagon to make decisions about how best to complete difficult missions.

He says Rumsfeld's energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period, and the defense secretary has the commander-in-chief's full support and deepest appreciation⁶.

While the president appears to have no intention of replacing Rumsfeld, other staff changes are expected at the White House, amid record low public approval ratings and falling support for the war in Iraq.

The new White House chief of staff, Josh Bolten, told officials Monday that anyone considering leaving this year should go now. 

Trade Representative Rob Portman was nominated to fill Bolten's old job as budget director and Deputy Trade Representative Susan Schwab has been nominated to move up.  

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

3 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

6 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。