Rumsfeld Rules

WHO’S the “star” of this war so far? That’s a vulgar consideration, given the awful work that has to be done. But there is, undeniably, an answer: Don Rumsfeld. Yes, Rumsfeld: defense secretary, TV personality, sex symbol (no kidding—more on that in a second), role model, inspiration. As one Washington arbiter puts it, “Rummy” is the man now. The man to whom the nation turns, the man to whom it listens. Nearly everyone—Republican or Democrat—sees him as the right guy at the right time in the right job.

One longtime Rumsfeld friend explains its nicely—and in decidedly Rummyesque fashion: “We’re not playing pitty-patty anymore. We have a foe that’s proven deadly. People look for a different kind of person to run Washington—as far away from the Clinton type as you can get.”

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

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Donald Rumsfeld

Department of Defense

WHO’S the “star” of this war so far? That’s a vulgar consideration, given the awful work that has to be done. But there is, undeniably, an answer: Don Rumsfeld. Yes, Rumsfeld: defense secretary, TV personality, sex symbol (no kidding—more on that in a second), role model, inspiration. As one Washington arbiter puts it, “Rummy” is the man now. The man to whom the nation turns, the man to whom it listens. Nearly everyone—Republican or Democrat—sees him as the right guy at the right time in the right job.

One longtime Rumsfeld friend explains its nicely—and in decidedly Rummyesque fashion: “We’re not playing pitty-patty anymore. We have a foe that’s proven deadly. People look for a different kind of person to run Washington—as far away from the Clinton type as you can get.”