Should Rumsfeld resign?

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has admitted to using a machine to sign letters to the relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Rumsfeld has pledged to sign letters of condolences personally in the future, following criticism from several families of US solders killed in action who said the letters show a lack of respect for their losses.

The situation follows a difficult month for the defence secretary who was condemned by US troops in Kuwait who claimed to have to use scrap metal to armour their vehicles.

Did Rumsfeld show disrespect in not signing the letters? Do you think he should resign? Is he now a liability to President Bush? Send us your comments using the form.

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This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

Rumsfeld is like a top player who is about to stay on too long because he loves the game and has done it so well for so long. It would be best if he left on his own terms for his own reasons, to go off and make a very good contribution somewhere else; as he has still much to contribute.
Paul Quigley, Toronto, Canada

No. Absolutely No! He has transformed the US military into a more light and agile, yet lethal force. Only America's enemies would want him to resign, because they yearn for weak America to advance their misguided failed ideals.
George, New York.

Alas, the days when generals rode their horses into battle at the head of the troops are gone. If this was the present situation, we might not have to worry about anyone resigning.
Chris Bull, Suva, Fiji

The signature situation is mundane compared to his overall job performance Warren Vitcenda, Hayward, WI USA

I believe that Rumsfeld is being chased by those who have little courage, let alone character. The signature situation is mundane compared to his overall job performance. In my view, Rumsfeld is great!
Warren Vitcenda, Hayward, WI USA

For the record, there are many people in the US who support this administration and the war in Iraq, but understand the execution of this war has been badly mishandled. Yes, he should resign.
Robert, Portland, OR

My country is becoming more and more like a corporation. In my view, we have people running our government who have lost all sense of duty and the traditional romanticism involved in leading a nation; who turn to stark, corporate-like negligence of detail (as long as the job gets done). In America, many politicians are such slaves to their pride that, like wealthy CEOs, they cannot admit to being wrong, and instead submit haughtily to public ridicule. Where are men like Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln when you need 'em?!
Stephen Miller, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Definitely no! He should run for president in 2008. In 14 years of service in the Army I have never felt that we had such a capable Defence Secretary.
Rich, San Antonio Texas

Whatever faults Donald Rumsfeld might have, he is still better qualified than any rivals for the post of Secretary of Defence. The feverish media blitz, accusing him directly and by innuendo of responsibility for everything that goes wrong is demeaning, trivial and typically politically motivated. We need a man who understands American's civil rights and steps up to the plate when the buck stops there. When he finds a wrong, he rights it.
Mike Bowens, Redmond, USA

What is this rubbish about the media making a "mountain out of a mole hill?" Statistics show that if American soldiers were not so ill armoured that some of their soldier deaths would no have occurred. I do not believe that is making a mountain out of a mole hill. It is a serious situation which Rumsfeld has yet to fix.
Ali, Pakistan

Like him or not, now isn't the time to start making a switch. We went to war; our troops are ill equipped, like every war ever fought. We have to finish the task at hand the best way we know how, and second guess and make changes when it's done and learn from these mistakes.
Brian, NH, USA

No, he should not resign. It has been brought to his attention and he is addressing it. It's not like this has happened before.
Barbara, New York, USA

Out of sight, out of mind Jane, USA

Rumsfeld has lied about the availability of armour. And now he doesn't even see the letters of condolence. Out of sight, out of mind.
Jane, USA

No. I have two family members in Iraq and with Rumsfeld we know who we are dealing with. The next guy could be far worse. Overseeing two war zones is no easy job for anyone.
Nate, Atlanta, GA, USA

Until we walk a mile in his shoes, we cannot know where he has been Penny, USA

Until we walk a mile in his shoes, we cannot know where he has been. To live in a democracy is a privilege that others have fought and died for. Their efforts give us the right to criticize but it does not give us the right to slander. War is hell but the loss of soldiers in battle while not desired is somewhat expected by the very nature of their business. You can't have it both ways.
Penny, USA

This is a man who claimed to take "full responsibility" for the prison abuse scandal, then made sure all the consequences fell on people below him on the responsibility chain. Apparently, to him, taking "full responsibility" means making sure other people are punished. His idea of being accountable in this situation would probably be to fire his secretary. It is ludicrous to even consider that a person with as little character as Rumsfeld would resign over this.
Anthony, USA

I can't see any good reason to let Rumsfeld go, he seems to have done a good job so far. Why is it that everyone needs a pound of flesh for every incident?
Jack, Luck, Wisconsin

And who honestly doesn't think this was an issue in previous wars? No he shouldn't resign over recent criticisms.
Mary, Connecticut, USA

I feel that each of these incidents is like water slipping through the dam. I think there are a lot of gross secrets this administration is trying to hold in, for the sake of our country, and they cannot conceal them all. I hope Rumsfeld and company retire before our reputation is smeared even more, or even worse the dam breaks.
Mark, Boston, MA, USA

The lack of respect for human lives seems endemic in the current administration Michael, Nottingham, UK

It's one thing to say you have respect for the losses made by the people who support you but it is something else to actually show respect. The lack of respect for human lives seems endemic in the current administration, both of the innocents killed and their own troops.
Michael, Nottingham, UK

Let's admit one fact that the recent criticism is not the first range of censures, which is directed to Rumsfeld. After the invasion of Iraq he has been coming under a wide range of criticisms from the American as well as other people for the mistreatment of Afghans and Iraqis. Now it is time to hand over the position to another person in order to avoid from being recorded as the most notorious defence minister in American history.
Naiem, Afghanistan

No, He is the best man for the job. This is confirmed by the socialists' call for his removal.
Rasheed, USA

The fact is, mistakes have been made and troops are under-equipped. It sends the wrong message to our troops and military recruits of the future. Someone needs to be held accountable.
Nick Porcaro, Baltimore, MD, USA

If Rumsfeld had any decency he'd have resigned over the Abu Ghraib torture. This issue seems irrelevant in comparison.
Andrew D, London, UK

Rumsfeld's critics have been desperate to find some reason to call for his resignation Zach Smith, Bloomington, IN USA

Rumsfeld's critics have been desperate to find some reason to call for his resignation, and the attacks have doubled and trebled since Bush's re-election. He and Bush have done more to spread democracy and freedom than the spineless paper-pushers at the UN and EU. In four years, we have deposed two dictatorships, begun the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, and have held successful elections in Afghanistan and are preparing to have them in Iraq. What has the EU got done in four years?
Zach Smith, Bloomington, IN USA

He should resign or be fired for a combination of factors, a combination of errors, miscalculations and bad judgement. Not signing the letters is thoughtless and disrespectful, but not enough on its own to warrant his resignation.
Jag, MD, USA

No. Rumsfeld is doing a great job. He is a man of consummate ability with a keen sense of duty and his best trait is annoying folks on this site. Go for it Rummy!
Peter C. Kohler, Washington DC USA

As a woman who has seen both dignity and indignity heaped upon soldiers of many wars, Rumsfeld "non signature" demonstrates the US administration must realize he is the worst example of the so called "ugly American" as we have seen, heard, and read it described throughout many years and many ages
Astrid Glass, Gresham Oregon USA

They play with the military like it is a game of tin soldiers Brian, Seattle USA

Absolutely he should resign! His lack of compassion is only the tip of the Bush iceberg. They play with the military like it is a game of tin soldiers. A lot of us tried to elect a competent Commander-in-Chief but were thwarted by a stolen election. To the military: I'm sorry. We tried.
Brian, Seattle USA

Yes, he should but that would indicate having a real sense of honour - a word for which he has no idea of its meaning.
Brenda Stone, Lansing, Michigan

Yet another mistake and miscalculation by this administration, although it is a red herring compared to the horrific killing of over 100,000 people in the name of freedom.
Mark, Oxford, USA

How dare you to even ask. No he should not. You trouble makers in the media just can't get over that you lost.
Robert La Brake, Orange, MA, USA

Of course he should resign! He has conducted a foreign policy based on "shoot first ask questions later." President Theodore Roosevelt used to say that the USA should "walk softly and carry a big stick." For Rumsfeld, it is instead: "make lots of noise, push people around, disregard the cost in human life, and carry a big stick." It's shameful!
Al, Indiana USA

The momentum behind the movement to remove Rumsfeld is self fulfilling and becoming an unnecessary distraction Jack Burt, Washington, US

Most leaders and top managers make regularly use of electronic signatures. This should not be an issue. However, the fact it has become an issue shows the momentum behind the movement to remove Rumsfeld is self fulfilling and becoming an unnecessary distraction. It is in the interests of Republicans, Democrats and Iraqis alike that Rumsfeld decides to "spend more time with his family".
Jack Burt, Washington, USA

Of course he should resign - but of course he will not do so. This is the man who has banned all photography and television coverage of the coffins of dead servicemen and women returning to the USA for purely political self-interest. Also, he and his president have not once attended even one of over a thousand military funerals. Shame on him who, like his president, is seemingly above admitting to, let alone doing anything about, his awful errors.
Ron, Glasgow Scotland

We might hope that human lives are not to be considered as mass produced, but rather that their unique individuality gives them their special value. Machine signed letters of condolences violate the recognition of that fact, and add to the trend towards dehumanization.
John Holmes, Canada

This is a case of the media making a mountain out of a molehill Zach, Fairfax, Virginia

This is a case of the media making a mountain out of a molehill. It would have been a nice sentiment to sign them personally, but it certainly isn't something he should resign over. It's the defence secretary's job to be tough as nails, not sentimental; I think this complaint is entirely politically driven.
Zach, Fairfax, Virginia

A form letter of condolence, signed by a machine. What a moving tribute to show to the children and grandchildren of those who died fighting in the US military.
Janet Remington, Costa Mesa, California, USA

Have you all lost your minds! If I hear one thing from my senator about him wanting Rummy to leave office, he will lose my vote. It is because of this man that over 40 million people have been freed. Let Rummy be!
Kirk Watson, USA

He should not resign over criticism. Instead, he should be fired for his poor performance in office. Our troops deserve much better.
Rob G., Kansas City, USA

Yes, I think Rumsfeld should resign (or be fired). In my view, his arrogance, disdain, denial and now disrespect of those who have sacrificed their lives demands his removal from his position as Defence Secretary.
Helen Dasson, Livonia, NY USA

Secretary Rumsfeld's use of a machine to sign letters of condolences, rather than signing them himself, was a thoughtless oversight. His not signing the letters and President Bush's signing his reflect each one's personality and instincts. The idea that the Secretary should resign over this bad practice is ridiculous.
Hugh Ryan, Barrington, RI, USA

He has once again displayed his total lack of tact in this sensitive situation Andrew Taylor, Nottingham, UK

He has once again displayed his total lack of tact in this sensitive situation. In my view, his general incompetence since taking office, and his seemingly never ending run of gaffs must make him a likely candidate to spend a little more time with his family.
Andrew Taylor, Nottingham, UK

Whether or not he signs letters of condolence is trivia. The lack of armour on vehicles is much more significant because it has resulted in injuries and deaths. The military knew about the armour issue many months ago but was very slow about addressing it. Only after it was brought to international attention did the military finally do something about it. Should Rumsfeld resign - yes - because of heavy-handed and inept handling of the US military over a period of years - not just because of these two issues which have been the focus of media attention recently.
Dave Woods, Cleveland/USA

Absolutely not! He has an awesome job and he is doing great! Leave him alone.
Mary Fisher, Houston, TX USA