Donald Rumsfeld's act wearing just a bit thin.

Although I've linked to this piece before, I think it's amusing to emphasize this snippet of dialogue:

Mr. Rumsfeld's usual dismissal of any criticism was met with disdain from 87-year-old Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. "I've been here a long time, longer than you have . . . I don't think I've ever heard a secretary of defence who likes to lecture the committee as much as you do."

"I don't mean to be discourteous," Mr. Byrd continued.

"I've just heard enough of your smart answers to these people here who are elected. . . . So get off your high horse when you come up here."

Mr. Rumsfeld was strangely silent in response.

Hmmmm ... hard to believe that that's the same Donald Rumsfeld from back here in February:

Two dozen members of the House Armed Services Committee had not yet had their turn to question Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld at yesterday's hearings when he decided he had had enough.

At 12:54, he announced that at 1 p.m. he would be taking a break and then going to another hearing in the Senate. "We're going to have to get out and get lunch and get over there," he said. When the questioning continued for four more minutes, Rumsfeld picked up his briefcase and began to pack up his papers.

By the way, that latter piece was written by WaPo's Dana Milbank, before Milbank turned into the smarmy Dem-bashing asshole that he's become today.