WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The timing of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation has infuriated some Republican officials, the Capitol Hill newspaper "The Hill" reported.
President George W. Bush announced Rumsfeld's resignation Wednesday, one day after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.
"The White House said keeping the majority was a priority, but they failed to do the one thing that could have made a difference," a House GOP leadership aide told The Hill. "For them to toss Rumsfeld one day after the election was a slap in the face to everyone who worked hard to protect the majority."
Exit polling suggested that a large majority of voters rejected the administration's handling of the war in Iraq. Republican officials told The Hill an earlier resignation could have helped Republicans in Tuesday's election.
"They did this to protect themselves, but they couldn't protect us?" a Republican aide said.
The friction comes at a time when the working relationship between Bush and Republicans in Congress may be complicated by the GOP's need to adjust to its role as the minority party.
