At the hearing, Rumsfeld was flanked by three four-star generals. And each one of them blew Kennedy's criticism out of the water.

According to quotes picked up by the Washington Times, Army Gen. George Casey told the Massachusetts Democrat:

"As the commander in Iraq, I would like to put myself on the record, Senator Kennedy, as saying that I also agree with the secretary that to represent the situation in Iraq as a quagmire is a misrepresentation of the facts. Senator, that is not a quagmire."

Next up was Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, Joint Chiefs chairman. He told Kennedy: "It's clearly not a quagmire. ... The term has been used loosely, and it's not accurate in my estimation."

Then the top commander in the region, Army Gen. John Abizaid, weighed in, saying the last thing he wanted to see was a Rumsfeld resignation.

"When it comes to toughness and stick-to-itiveness and fighting the enemy the way they need to be fought, I'm standing by the secretary," he pledged.

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