Bullying Rumsfeld Used Bible to Sway Bush on Iraq

Former Pentagon chief undermined president, former aides say
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted May 17, 2009 1:00 PM CDT
Bullying Rumsfeld Used Bible to Sway Bush on Iraq
Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld attends a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Donald Rumsfeld isn’t a preacher, but nearly every morning after the Iraq invasion, he handed President Bush a national security digest containing Biblical quotations intended to influence his decisions. This tactic, Robert Draper writes for GQ in a lengthy look at Rummy's standing among administration contemporaries, epitomizes the former Pentagon secretary—a manipulative, imperious bully who would do anything to get his way, including vexing US troops.

Bush officials are spilling their disdain for Rumsfeld, who they say often obstructed Bush’s commands. Rumsfeld refused to ask Condoleezza Rice for help in banishing an unnecessary detour for his soldiers, and even Bush blasted him for bungling the Katrina response. “I can’t imagine another defense secretary throwing up the kinds of obstacles he did,” said a former staffer.
(More Donald Rumsfeld stories.)

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