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Robert Gates: How is He Different than Donald Rumsfeld?

Robert Gates: How Is He Different Than Donald Rumsfeld?


I. Introduction: The Role of the United States Secretary of Defense

A. The choice of who becomes Defense Secretary has an impact on state and federal affairs
1. On the Federal level, the Defense Secretary represents the direction of his Department and the attitude of the nation regarding national and international security as well as civil defense
a. Historically, congress confidence in the Secretary rather that in the Defense department itself is the most critical element for legislative support for the military
b. The appointment of the position is one of the most scrutinized and the most subject to political lobbying with the president within his party or otherwise.
2. Since the position was also jurisdiction of all operational, telecommunication and transportation in the country he also has a stake in interstate affairs that concern security and even commerce.
a. In response to the September 11th attack, the Department in an effort to beef up security within the United States revised security procedures in traveling particularly for airlines that influenced state border security.
b. The coordination between states regarding information and the monitoring of terrorist activities has been established to prevent the infiltration of threats that enter the US via outlying territories.


II. The Background of Rumsfeld and Gates

A. Rumsfeld and Gates and gates had similar histories for their government service
1. Both Rumsfeld and Gates distinguished themselves as Eagle Scouts which they carried onto Rumsfeld becoming a NROTC officer and with Gates receiving service awards from his activities with the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega ("Donald Rumsfeld" 35, US Department of Defense)

2. They both pursued government careers after graduating from college
a. Rumsfeld enjoyed the one of the longest careers in government service ("Donald Rumsfeld" The White House)
I. Rumsfeld joined the Navy then the Reserves
II. Served repeated terms in Congress for the 13th congressional district of Illinois
III. During the Nixon Administration, served as Director of the United States Office of Economic Opportunity, Assistant to the President and a member of the President's Cabinet from 1969 to 1970 and was named Counselor to the President in December of 1970, Director of the Economic Stabilization Program and was a member of the President's Cabinet from 1971 to 1972.
IV. Under the Ford Administration, he served as White House Chief of Staff from 1974 to 1975 and as the 13th U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977.
V. During the presidency of Clinton and George H. W. Bush he also served in various commissions and institutions
VI. Served as the 21st Defense Secretary under George W. Bush

b. Gates pursued a career in the intelligence service high (Branigin)
I. Even as he was drafted for the Vietnam War, Gates served this time with Air Force as an intelligence officer in the Strategic Air Command then returned to full time service with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
II.He also served in the National Security Council after in 1974 to 1979
III. After his service with the National Security Council, he returned to serve in the CIA and eventually became Director of the DCI/DDCI Executive Staff in 1981
IV. Promoted as Deputy Director for Intelligence in 1982
V. Became the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence in 1986

3. Both Rumsfeld and Gates served under Republican and Democrat administrations

4. Rumsfeld and Gates both had were involved in several issues
a. Rumsfeld is criticized regarding his involvement in government cover-ups and aggressive military initiatives ("Profile: Donald Rumsfeld")
I. He has been questioned regarding his role in the Nixon scandal
II. Has received criticisms regarding prisoner abuse and the violations against the Geneva Convention under his stints as Defense Secretary
III. Has been questioned regarding his choice of not personally signing the condolence letters of troops who died in Afghanistan
IV. Has been questioned regarding his Tamiflu involvement
V. He also has received many criticisms regarding the war effort in Iraq and the Rumsfeld Doctrine

b. Gates has been questioned regarding his involvement in intelligence scandals high (Branigin)

I. Gates directorship of the CIA was deterred by issues regarding his involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal
II. There has been criticisms raised regarding his involvement in the Iran-Iraq war
III. He also was questioned regarding the how the CIA dealt with the intelligence reports of the assassination attempts on President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II
B. Rumsfeld and Gates were also successful in their private careers

1. Both pursued careers in education after their government service
a. Rumsfeld lectured at the Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management ("Donald Rumsfeld" The White House)
b. Gates taught for the International Studies Program of the University of Washington and also became a lecturer at Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Indiana, Louisiana State, Oklahoma, and the College of William and Mary.
c. Gates also served as interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University

2. They also had considerable success in the industry and business
a. Rumsfeld served as Chief Executive Officer, President, and then Chairman of G.D. Searle & Company ("Donald Rumsfeld" The White House)
b. Gates is a member of the board of trustees of Fidelity Investments, the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc., Parker Drilling Company, Science Applications International Corporation, and VoteHere high (Branigin).

C. Appointment of Rumsfeld and Gates as Defense Secretary
1. Rumsfeld's appointment came as a surprise ("Donald Rumsfeld" The White House)
a. Rumsfeld was not perceived as an intimate of George W. Bush's circle
b. It is believed that it is Rumsfeld’s closeness to Vice President Cheney that was most critical for his appointment

2. Gates appointment is a gesture to gain the confidence in the Department of Defense
a. Gates was earlier considered by George W. Bush for the position of Director of National Intelligence which he declined high (Branigin)
b. Analysts believe that Gates appointment as Secretary of Defense was lobbied and supported by the United States Senate Armed Services Committee ("Profile: Robert Gates")

D. The congressional and senate support for Gates was significantly high (Branigin).
1. His confirmation by the full Senate by a margin of 95-2 with only Republican Senators Rick Santorum and Jim Bunning casting the dissenting votes (Garamone)
2. Both the Democrats and Republicans have expressed their view that Gates will be effective in bringing direction to the current concerns in Iraq and the resolution on the US efforts in the country ("Profile: Robert Gates").






Works Cited

Branigin, William. "Robert M. Gates Profile". The Washington Post. 8 November 2006. 6 February 2007. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/08/AR2006110801589.html>

"Donald Rumsfeld". Scouting 94 (4) (2006). 35.

"Donald Rumsfeld". The White House. 6 February 2007. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/rumsfeld-bio.html >

Garamone, Jim. "Senate Confirms Gates as 22nd Defense Secretary". American Forces Press Service. 6 December 2006. . 6 February 2007. <http://www.defenselink.mil/News/NewsArticle.aspx?id=2330>

"Profile: Donald Rumsfeld". BBC News Online. 18 December 2006. 6 February 2007. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3690341.stm>

"Profile: Robert Gates". BBC News Online. 8 November 2006. 6 February 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6130302.stm>

US Department of Defense. Dr. Robert M. Gates: Secretary Of Defense. 18 December 2006. 6 February 2007. <http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/secdef_bio.html>
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Posted by: Helen P. Nash

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