Donald Rumsfeld's Long Career

As He Steps Down As Secretary Of Defense, A Look At His Path And Achievements

(CBS/AP) 
Woodward's book recounts how Vice President Dick Cheney was probably Rumsfeld's savior within the White House. Cheney, who had been a deputy to Rumsfeld when he was Ford's chief of staff, stood between the critics and the Secretary, Woodward wrote.

President Bush's support seemed unimpeachable. Just last week, Mr. Bush said he wanted Rumsfeld to stay on as defense chief as long as Mr. Bush is in office.

Despite whatever confidence Mr. Bush retained in Rumsfeld, the secretary's support in Congress had eroded significantly. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House speaker-in-waiting, said at her first post-election news conference that Mr. Bush should replace the top civilian leadership at the Pentagon.

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who had intervened in the past to shore up Rumsfeld, issued a statement saying, "Washington must now work together in a bipartisan way — Republicans and Democrats — to outline the path to success in Iraq."

Mr. Bush disclosed Wednesday that he had spoken with Gates last Sunday about taking over at the Pentagon.

Rumsfeld graduated from Princeton University in 1954 and then spent three years in the U.S. Navy.

Elected to the House of Representatives from his home state of Illinois in 1962, he was re-elected for three more terms but resigned in 1969 to join the Nixon administration.

In 1973, he became U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, returning to Washington in August 1974 to head Ford's transition team. He served as White House chief of staff for President Ford before becoming the youngest Secretary of Defense in history, serving from 1975 to 1977.

Rumsfeld chaired a bipartisan congressional commission on ballistic missile threats, which released its findings in 1998.

From 1977 to 1985 he served as CEO, president, and then chairman of G.D. Searle & Co., a worldwide pharmaceutical company.

Mr. Rumsfeld served as chairman and CEO of General Instrument Corp. from 1990 to 1993. General Instrument was a leader in broadband transmission, distribution, and access control technologies.

[jlutsi-2009]

Donald Rumsfeld summed it up neatly when he said that Iraq is a largely misunderstood conflict which is why many Americans don't recognize the considerable achievements that Donald Rumsfeld achieved during his tenure as Defense Secretary.

The media has largely manipulated the American Public with false premises:

First, that we are losing the war. The broad military conflict ended some time ago--with a coalition victory-- and the insurgent activity and quasi-civil war that has ensued should be seen for what it is and not be manipulated for political gain.

Second, that the US actually has the ability to influence the 'conflict' between the Shia and Sunni factions in Iraq which only they can resolved once either a) The Iraqi public grows tired of being complacent or b) The insurgents--on both sides--grow tired of killing each other. The US military can not ealistically hope to 'end the insurgency'. In short, that should not be the measure of 'victory'.

Lastly, is that it is in the National Interest for the US military to be 'based' in the region where much of the terrorist planning takes place for intelligence gathering purposes. September 11th taught us the consequences of disengaging from the Middle East which led to poor intelligence leading up to September 11th.

So before you condemn or dismiss Donald Rumsfeld's tenure as a 'failure' take some time to understand the real issues and stakes in Iraq and not simply read from the simplistic Democratic talking points.

Although I agree that the President's decision to replace Mr. Rumsfeld is advisable, we should be mindful that Donald Rumsfeld has served our Nation for more than four decades, that he has done so with fervent fidelity, and that he has every reason to hold his head high.
Donald Rumsfeld is an American hero.

[grumpas]

Rumsfeld needs to be retired from politic's period! He is one of the mothballs Bush drug out of the old Republican cronies closet and rewarded with an exalted post! But, that was to be expected! Incompetence has been the keynote of his administration! Anyone who was half way competent was gotten rid of early in the game! And he defended the incompetent with his dying breath! I don't think any of this administration has enough intelligence to conduct a war. But, sadly enough, the mess in Iraq has been made. I personally think it is to little way to late to cure what went wrong in Iraq! Because now they have a full scale civil war going on with our troops caught in the middle! That in itself is a nightmare situation that was predicted by numerous people before he invaded Iraq! I am no expert on the subject! But, I think it is time to just leave! If we do that, the civil war might burn itself out! Because the gasoline that kept the fire raging is no longer going to be there!

The situation in Iraq will never improve until politicians stop interfering and let the Generals and those on the ground do what they need to succeed.

Now that Rumsfeld is on his way out, it's time to put my heads on the chopping block - Cheney, Rice, Rove and the rest of the corrupt and amoral morons, including Bush, should go.

[stick130]

Gen Bastiste at a hearing under oath stated Rumsfeld told all the Officer's he didn't want to hear any bad news that about what was going on in Iraq. He was Hell Bent on never being wrong on anything. How can you make an intelligent decision without knowing all the facts? I think the Officer's on the ground in Iraq should report what's going on and the Pentagon give them everything they need to end this Civil War quickly as possible. Take the Politics out completely.