After the War, New Stature for Rumsfeld
Rumsfeld Stands Tall After Iraq Victory
He is perhaps the single most arrogant Cabinet secretary in the history of the American government, and yet Donald Rumsfeld's star is clearly rising. He may have been somewhat out of his element while the US government was pursuing pre-war diplomacy. Once that effort ended, Rumsfeld was out front and in charge.
Iraq has been Mr. Rumsfeld's war. It was fought on his terms, and the victory has made him an unusually forceful defense secretary at a pivotal moment for the American military.
Waging two wars in less than two years has drawn Mr. Rumsfeld into the inner circle of a president he did not know well until after the 2000 election.
It is a striking turnabout for the 70-year-old defense secretary, whose assertive style fueled rumors before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that he was a short-timer. He now has fresh leverage to press his vision of a 21st century fighting machine prepared to use force not just in retaliation, but to head off perceived threats. His chin-out performance as war briefer to the world has made him the face of American strength — or, alternatively, American arrogance.
"We've never had a cabinet official, possibly with the exception of Kissinger, with that high a profile," said Marlin Fitzwater, press secretary to the first President Bush.
The swift victory in Iraq, with relatively low casualties, is seen by Mr. Rumsfeld's supporters as validation that future wars can be won with more covert operatives to gather intelligence, a more agile force, more sophisticated equipment and a willingness to strike first.
Rumsfeld may not be the kind of guy you'd go out barcrawling with, but he is a skilled political infighter with an unparalleled survival instinct. He may not be the sole architect of American military success in Iraq, but you can bet we'll be seeing more of him. Lucky us....
