The name of the game is still "Deniability" as you can see from the appointment of Robert Gates to replace the rum Rummy. First, he's an insider from daddy's days. Second, he can say he wasn't there, he didn't know, he can't answer that question.

Imagine if they had left Rumsfeld in place and he was required to respond to tough questions asked, not by reporters, but by a special investigator or by a congressional committee? Horrors!

He had to go, to be replaced by one of the Old Guard.

They still don't get it and I wouldn't trust them any more than I'd trust a snake I thought was dead because it was lying there quietly.