With America's war on terrorism in high gear, and the U.S. embroiled in a controversial military offensive against Iraq as of mid-April, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has emerged as a key point man in the Bush administration. Hailed as "endlessly tough minded" and a high energy risk taker, Rumsfeld has been successful in the worlds of politics, government, and business (this is actually his second go-round as Secretary of Defense--he was one of the youngest men to occupy that post in the mid-'70s). In this mostly admiring A&E Biography portrait, Rumsfeld is limned as a man who acquired his confidence (and competitive streak) early on. Raised on conservative Midwestern values, "Rummy" was a model Princeton student whose interests in history and politics were successfully parlayed into a congressional seat before the age of 30. A conservative but pragmatic politician, Rumsfeld was tapped by Nixon for White House service, but as an ambassador to NATO was out of the Watergate loop--a stroke of good fortune that later allowed him to work as President Ford's Chief of Staff. Henry Kissinger, former Presidents Bush and Ford, and Vice President Cheney all pay tribute to Rumsfeld's leadership qualities here, while Rumsfeld and his wife offer comments and take viewers on a tour around their New Mexico ranch. While providing a solid look at Rumsfeld's personal history and qualities (he jumped right into the rescue effort when the terrorists attacked the Pentagon on 9/11), this program is in danger of being dated by current events (there is, for example, little mention of the rapidly growing criticism that Rumsfeld's blunt language alienates European allies, hurting the united front against international terrorism). Still, this profile will be useful as Rumsfeld has become almost a daily topic in the news. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Donald Rumsfeld: Top Gun
(2002) 50 min. $19.95. A&E Home Video. PPR. ISBN: 0-7670-5391-5. Volume 18, Issue 3
Donald Rumsfeld: Top Gun
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