Novak:

The latest Evans-Novak Political Report suggests the way President Bush fired Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld caused considerable friction in the White House. "Even Vice President Dick Cheney is said to be profoundly disturbed by Rumsfeld's treatment."

"On the day after the election, Rumsfeld had seemed devastated -- the familiar confident grin gone and his voice breaking. According to Bush Administration officials, only three or four people knew he would be fired -- and Rumsfeld was not one of them."