CHICAGO, IL—Following a series of curious statements by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) today questioned the Pentagon’s management of the war in Iraq.

In response to concerns about supply shortages raised by U.S. troops during a “town hall” meeting in Kuwait yesterday, Secretary Rumsfeld today said he “wasn’t at all surprised” by the comments made by Specialist Thomas Wilson and others. 

Emanuel noted that this wasn’t the first incident in the past few months to raise questions about the supply and morale of troops.  For example:

• In October, 23 members of the 343rd Quartermasters Company refused to complete a refueling mission.  Amber McClenny, one of those who refused the mission, told her mother, “We had broken down trucks, non-armored vehicles and we were carrying contaminated fuel.”

• On December 3rd, 8 soldiers sued the government over the Army’s “stop-loss” policy.  The wife of one of those suing noted, “The whole morale in his unit is on the floor.”

• A recent Marine Corps survey, found fewer than half of those who served in Iraq were planning to stay in the military. 

Added Emanuel, “When one soldier complains, we need to listen.  When thousands echo that complaint, it’s time to act.”