Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
At the Reagan Library this past Wednesday, I interviewed Donald Rumsfeld onstage about his new book, Known and Unknown. I stayed away from Iraq--he and I had already covered that difficult subject when we taped an episode of Uncommon Knowledge late last month (the episode will appear toward the end of this month). This time, I thought, we'd do something he's been able to do in very few interviews--namely, discuss the first two-thirds of the book, which deals with his long, deep experience in government before Iraq.
A sampling (note that I'm paraphrasing Rumsfeld, not quoting him precisely):
Item: Rumsfeld took office as a member of Congress in January 1963. The House was still run by a Speaker, John W. McCormack, who had been born in the nineteenth century. President Kennedy still had ten months to live. How has Congress changed since? "Staffs have exploded," Rumsfeld immediately replied. Today, a typical member of Congress might have a staff of some two dozen reporting to him directly, with still more on the payrolls of committee staffs. "When I joined the House," Rumsfeld said, "I represented one of the biggest districts in the country." (The 13th district in Illinois, which at the time included a large portion of the state.) "If I remember the number correctly, my staff totaled nine."
Item: After the 1983 terrorist attack on a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, when Rumsfeld became President Reagan's Mideast envoy, the Reagan Cabinet was divided. Sec. of State George Shultz wanted American forces to remain in Lebanon, but Sec. of Defense Caspar Weinberger wanted to get out. The President himself? He consistently stated his desire to remain in Lebanon, concerned that our adversaries would interpret a withdrawal as a sign of weakness. Why then did we leave in a manner that, as Rumsfeld himself wrote, appeared "frantic"? "The Congress of the United States," Rumsfeld replied. Rumsfeld recalled a meeting to brief the House leadership. On the way in, Tip O'Neill said, "I can't give you any help with these fellows, Don." "Tip," Rumsfeld said, "could see that it was all just slipping away."
Item: I asked Rumsfeld to discuss the legacy of Richard Nixon. "Brilliant and strategic but in a profession that made him uncomfortable," Rumsfeld said. Then Rumsfeld turned to a Nixon accomplishment that he considers vastly underrated. "With the help of a few other people, including Milton Friedman, Richard Nixon ended conscription to give us volunteer armed forces." The old bulls in Congress, Republican and Democrat alike, objected. The military brass disdained the idea. Yet Nixon prevailed--and in doing so "changed everything." "We're no longer dealing with men and women who are in uniform against their will," Rumsfeld said. "Now everyone in our armed forces has made a definite choice to be there." Morale, training, depth of experience--"the United States military is better than it has ever been before, and that wouldn't have been possible without a volunteer force."
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Comments :
Mar '11
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
U.K. is one of the better reasons to possess an internet connection, therefore I expect the Rummy interview to be stellar. Can't wait to see it.
Feb '11
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
It sounds like you meant to say that the decision to go to a volunteer army is vastly underrated, not overrated.
(Never mind! I see it was being fixed even as I typed the original comment.)
Edited on Mar 18, 2011 at 11:32amAug '10
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
One of the world's great resumes. What an incredibly accomplished guy, we are so lucky to have had his services at so many points in recent history.
I always thought one way to solve alot of the problems in Washington would to be limit staff to 2 for congressmen and 7 for senators. Nobody for the lobbyists to talk to ! And permanent staffs ? Send em to help in the demolition of Dept Of Education, Energy, EPA, and Labor. None of them look that healthy.
Room for them to sleep in the offices, free airplane tickets home every month- mandatory . In fact that might make Wash real estate affordable.
Edited on Mar 18, 2011 at 11:36amRe: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
sdb: It sounds like you meant to say that the decision to go to a volunteer army is vastly underrated, not overrated.
(Never mind! I see it was being fixed even as I typed the original comment.) · Mar 18 at 11:29am
Edited on Mar 18 at 11:32 am
You were exactly right--and, for once, I actually caught the error myself. Thanks.
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
Would you let me know what you think of it, Gus? There were moments when the interview got a little rough--it had to, because there a moments when Rumsfeld's book gets a little rough. As I say, I'll be looking forward to hearing what you make of it. And thanks for the kind words in the meantime.
Mar '11
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
Peter Robinson
Would you let me know what you think of it, Gus? There were moments when the interview got a little rough--it had to, because there a moments when Rumsfeld's book gets a little rough. As I say, I'll be looking forward to hearing what you make of it. And thanks for the kind words in the meantime. · Mar 18 at 11:53am
You're welcome. Any rough edges should enhance the discussion. A few callouses never hurt anyone.
Dec '10
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
I love that he went straight to staffing. I have always thought that it never mattered who was elected, as long as they were constantly surrounded by the real Beltway insiders that slide in and out of bureaucracies and staffs.
In my opinion, flownover is right, for staff in D.C. One to keep them out of trouble and a receptionist. Any more staffing should be based in their respective Districts, far from lobbyists and close to constituents. Every private entity builds complex product remotely, from contributors that are capable of using phones and the internet.
Oct '10
Re: Donald Rumsfeld on Reagan, Nixon, and Congress
flownover: One of the world's great resumes. What an incredibly accomplished guy, we are so lucky to have had his services at so many points in recent history.
I always thought one way to solve alot of the problems in Washington would to be limit staff to 2 for congressmen and 7 for senators. Nobody for the lobbyists to talk to ! And permanent staffs ? Send em to help in the demolition of Dept Of Education, Energy, EPA, and Labor. None of them look that healthy.
Room for them to sleep in the offices, free airplane tickets home every month- mandatory . In fact that might make Wash real estate affordable. · Mar 18 at 11:32am
Edited on Mar 18 at 11:36 am
I don't mean to cuase you trouble, but I really like your ideas. I was thinking along the lines of a barracks, cafeteria and a secretarial pool. Any more than that can come from their own pockets.