On a scale of 1-100. Just influence, on history, the US Military etc. Not on your love or hatred.
2006-11-13 21:28:49 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Take a look at the Pakistani's answer: That's what I mean. His reorganization of the military. His idea for 'trim' army. The use of technology. His 'control' of senior commanders like Eric Shinseki.
His being the youngest and oldest Defense Secretary.
He being single-minded in the face of opposition.
2006-11-13 22:35:06 · update #1
Well unfortuneately this is where people are remembered in history books...not always for the good things they have done, but sometimes for the turmoil they created. Let me brainstorm here; The mess that has been created within the Pentagon, prison camps / human rights, enemies of the state, a quagmire in Iraq, General officers either forced in to retirement or walking out the door, the transformation of 'the new Army', backdoor draft, abusive use of guard and reserve troops, and lets not forget we have lost many if not most of our allies....
Some of these things cannot be blamed entirely on Rumsfeld, but when you mix it up with other corrupt administration players it is amplified. He will go down in the books a little bit like McNamara (Kennedy / Johnson Secretary of Defense) did with Vietnam and the Cuban Missle Crisis. The big difference is that McNamara admitted his mistakes - he didn't create all the caos and leave office for someone else to fix.
The bottom line is that we learned a little bit from that era, and administrations since have steered clear of making the same mistake. Rumsfeld will mark a similar role - 'this is how not to be' so to speak.
With some of that said; blunders, abuse, failed policy, failed transformation, and discontent among the troops... I give him a 35.
2006-11-13 22:19:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a US citizen, so it's difficult for me to estimate. I think his influence on the reorganization of the Pentagon is about 80. His influence on the US military will be about 30. His influence on history... well that depends on how long his reorganization will survive. All in all I assume his influence rate will be somewhere around 20.
2006-11-14 05:56:41 · answer #2 · answered by Dick V 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The ist answer graded Rumsfield too low only a 1, I would have given him a 2 He may get 1 line in the history books
2006-11-14 05:52:34 · answer #3 · answered by devora k 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Influence on history? A 5.
Now that he doesnt have autonomous control of his lil 'board game', he has "cut-and-run". Heh, go figure.
2006-11-14 05:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by DelusionRoad 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It was about a 97; now, it's 0!
2006-11-14 06:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by grandm 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rumsfeld fared badly and his grade is 1.
2006-11-14 05:32:38 · answer #6 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Influence! Sorry, I thought you said "Flatuence" He's an old fart!
2006-11-14 05:36:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋