Rumsfeld resigns

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resigned Wednesday one day after voters handed U.S. President George Bush a resounding defeat at the polls.

Rumsfeld has been under fire from critics for his handling of the war in Iraq. He will be succeeded by former CIA Director Robert Gates.

Bush announced the resignation at a White House news conference.

"After a series of thoughtful conversations, Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed time is right for new leadership at the Pentagon," Bush said, adding that Rumsfeld as been a "superb" leader.

Just last week Bush indicated he wanted Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney to serve through the end of his term in January 2009. However, Bush said Wednesday that he met with Gates over the weekend.

Rumsfeld, a former Navy pilot and congressman, became the nation's 21st Defense Secretary on Jan. 20, 2001. He also served as the nation's 13th Defense secretary and as U.S. ambassador to NATO.

He first arrived in Washington in 1957 as an administrative assistant to a congressman and also served as White House chief of staff.