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Bush, George W.

Rumsfeld Emerges as Leading Candidate for CIA Director Post

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Donald Rumsfeld, 68, a seasoned government official with extensive experience, has emerged as the favored candidate to become CIA director under President-elect George W. Bush. Rumsfeld's past government experience, including serving as defense secretary from 1975 to 1977, congressman from Illinois, and ambassador to NATO, has made him a strong contender for the post. His success in leading a special commission that reversed a CIA estimate on emerging international missile threats in 1998 has also contributed to his selection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rumsfeld's past government experience, including serving as defense secretary from 1975 to 1977, congressman from Illinois, and ambassador to NATO, has made him a strong contender for the CIA director post.
  • Rumsfeld led a special commission in 1998 that reversed a CIA estimate on emerging international missile threats, which was criticized for being politically skewed.
  • Several other appointments are expected to reassure conservatives, including Karl Rove as a "counselor to the president" and Lawrence Lindsay as the chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers.
  • Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson has been named as secretary of health and human services, a appointment that is expected to delight conservatives.
  • Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating may be named to head the FBI, a 10-year appointment.
  • Rumsfeld's selection is expected to reassure edgy conservatives who were concerned about the CIA's politicization and the suppression of dissenting views.

Statistics:

  • Rumsfeld is 68 years old.
  • The Rumsfeld Commission was a nine-member blue-ribbon panel.
  • The initial national intelligence estimate on missile threats asserted that no missile threats would emerge for 15 years.
  • The Rumsfeld Commission's report concluded that missile threats to the United States were growing faster and would emerge sooner than CIA analysts had predicted.
  • The commission's findings have been used by supporters of building national missile defenses.
  • North Korea test-launched a new long-range missile in August 1998.

Sources:

  • Government officials close to the presidential transition team.
  • Rumsfeld's past government experience, including serving as defense secretary from 1975 to 1977.
  • The Rumsfeld Commission report, 1998.
  • The initial national intelligence estimate on missile threats, 1995.
  • Karl Rove's role as a "counselor to the president".
  • Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson's appointment as secretary of health and human services.
  • Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating's potential appointment to head the FBI.

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