Mr Rumsfeld's Bus

The picture illustrating "The Secretary We Had" (New York Times Book Review, Review of Andrew Cockburn's Rumsfeld, March 25th 2007, Page 13) is symbolic of Mr Rumsfeld's leadership in the Iraq war.

Instead of travelling around in an unarmored Humvee like the troops he sent into harm's way Mr Rumsfeld travelled inside the secure shell of a heavily armored Rhino Runner (borrowed from a contractor).

Good leaders share the risks undertaken by their subordinates. Good leaders accept responsibility when things go wrong. Good leaders ensure that their subordinates have the resources needed to get the job done. Good leaders clarify what needs to be done to achieve the goal.

The top echelon of the Bush administration has failed in each of these aspect of leadership.

Sent to the New York Times Book Review