From NYTimes

Rumsfeld Warns Against ‘Graceful Exits’ From Iraq

Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

Outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney during farewell ceremonies for Rumsfeld at the Pentagon.

By JIM RUTENBERG

Published: December 15, 2006

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said farewell to the Pentagon today with a combative address in which he warned against “graceful exits” from Iraq and said it would be wrong to regard the lack of new attacks on American soil as a sign that the nation is safe from terrorism

“Today it should be clear that not only is weakness provocative,” Mr. Rumsfeld said, standing at lectern with President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney at his side, “but the perception of weakness on our part can be provocative as well.”  More From NYTimes