Rumsfeld's Overreach?

Venomous Kate makes note of how Donald Rumsfeld has been expanding his power and influence into areas his job description doesn't talk about.

Nope, the truth is that nobody is allowed to oppose Rumsfeld if they want to keep their job. Welcome to All Rumsfeld, All The Time and damn the Constitution.

Perhaps Rumsfeld has eclipsed other Administration officials in terms of absolute policy influence? Excepting Rove, of course...

I can understand that from one point, the military does and should have a larger role in Iraq because it is the primary enforcement and enablement system for US policy in-country at the moment. I can also understand that since he's the point man for so much information and confirmation, news agencies and reporters have almost forced him into roles where he feels compelled to give his opinion on a myriad of subjects.

But it isn't Rummy's job to make proclaimations on foreign policy. He follows the policy set out by Bush and expressed by Powell. I very much doubt he would appreciate Powell musing on procurement, training, or base closures. Each secretary has defined spheres of focus and it does no one any favors when we get mixed messages from the executive government.

Posted by Drizzten at April 26, 2003 01:23 PM