According to Rumsfeld’s Rules, a list of the Defense Secretary’s own favorite sayings, “a person who is not criticized may not be doing very much.” In that case, Rumsfeld must feel pretty busy these days. As the Bush administration asks Congress for additional billions for Iraq, the Pentagon chief is feeling increasing heat from Congress over the mounting costs and casualties of the occupation.
Critics charge that he misled the public about pre-war intelligence, that he alienated allies and failed to adequately plan for Iraq’s reconstruction. But Rumsfeld also has his admirers, people who praise his leadership, and admire his dismissal of what’s politically correct. When the man in pursuit of the axis of evil, himself becomes the axis of upheaval, Donald Rumsfeld under fire.
Guests:
Vernon Loeb, staff writer, The Washington Post
Andrew Bacevich, Director of the Center for International Relations at Boston University
Ruth Wedgewood, professor of Law and Diplomacy at Johns Hopkins.