"But I have confidence in my ability and his ability to continue to work together as a team for the common goals of the men and women of the Armed Forces and to support the goals of the commander in chief."

The Senate's top military man rejected calls from some his colleagues for Rumsfeld to step down, saying, "We should not at this point in time entertain any idea of changing those responsibilities in the Pentagon."

Warner added: "We should express our confidence in the commander in chief and his principal subordinates. The president makes the choice, and we're going to back the president and support his choice and make it work."

Commenting on a report by columnist Robert Novak, who quoted Warner earlier this week as saying, "I've had it with [Rumsfeld]," the Virginia Republican said, "I don't have any recollection of that."

Editor's note: