The wait is over: Bush dumps Rummy

It's about time! On Nov. 8, a unique day in recent American history on which the political balance of power shifted, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned. Following this, President George W. Bush made a relatively (and surprisingly) intelligent move in nominating Bob Gates, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and current president of Texas A&M University, to replace Rumsfeld as secretary of defense. Taking into account the disorder that currently plagues Washington, D.C., and the latter's political record, it's evident that Gates is a perfect candidate for the position. In one respect, Rumsfeld's resignation is a victory for two people: former president George H. W. Bush and his consigliere, former Secretary of State James A. Baker III. Bush, Sr., and Rumsfeld are sworn political enemies. Rumsfeld sees Baker as a passive-aggressive small-fry. Bush, Sr., views Rumsfeld as a narcissist unworthy of power. The former originally advised his son six years ago to steer clear of Rumsfeld while Bush, Jr., was searching for Republican all-stars to fill his cabinet. As we all know, Bush, Jr., didn't listen and instead enlisted Rumsfeld (surely appeasing Vice President Dick Cheney). The sad truth is Bush, Jr., didn't do this for political reasons, but probably to spite his father. In doing so, he's indirectly destroyed U.S. foreign policy. Both Rumsfeld and Gates know each other. They both worked in the White House during the Ford administration. Personality-wise, however, they are probably as different as two politicians can be. Rumsfeld, the Princeton wrestler, can be described by any adjective used by Niccolò Machiavelli in The Prince: arrogant, aggressive, partisan, ideological. Throughout his career as secretary of defense, he has consistently ignored his critics - to the extent that his resignation speech, in which he quoted Winston Churchill, is absurdly contradictory. "I have benefited greatly from criticism and at no time have I suffered from a lack thereof," quoted Rumsfeld. Yeah, right. Gates, on the other hand, is less domineering, more amicable, nonpartisan, and enthusiastic. Some have even called him a scholar. For those unfamiliar with him, he has a lot of experience working in Washington. In 1966, after graduating from college, he immediately joined the CIA as a Soviet specialist. In 1987, Reagan nominated him as director of the CIA but quickly retracted this due to controversy arising over Gates' role in the Iran-Contra scandal. Nonetheless, in 1991, Bush, Sr., nominated him for the same position and this time he was confirmed. In 2005, Bush, Jr., asked him to be the new director of national intelligence, colloquially known as the "intelligence czar." He declined - most likely due to the position's lack of authority. He is currently a member of James A. Baker's Iraq Study Group, which has essentially concluded that the current administration's policy in Iraq is a failure. Hopefully, being a part of this group will give Gates the power to make changes in the administration's strategy. In total, Gates has worked under four presidents and allegedly has made few enemies in both parties. In a time of controversy, hostility, and disorder, Gates' moderate philosophy is direly needed. Overall, I am anticipating the changes Gates will make with excitement. The United States needs them. Iraq needs them. The entire world needs them. Nevertheless, I hope Gates, the rest of the Bush administration, the newly reformed, democratic-dominated Congress, and the military make altogether intelligent and well-calculated changes. In this paper, I have consistently stated my position regarding Iraq because I think it's one of the most important questions of our time. Gates must find a new strategy as bold as "stay the course" and as enticing as "cut and run" without repeating Rumsfeld's narrow-minded mistakes, nor giving in to the new Congress' likely call for immediate withdrawal. Good riddance, Rummy. And good luck, Bob.

Michael O'Brien is the marketplace editor of The Heights. He welcomes comments at obrienm@bcheights.com.