Changes

In his second term as Secretary, Rumsfeld showed an intense, unwavering commitment to military transformation—his vision of a leaner, more lethal Department of Defense. He performed brilliantly for the press and won over public opinion. However inside the Pentagon, he ran roughshod over the most experienced generals and admirals, who resented his resistance to professional advice. After [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9-11]], he directed the [[War in Afghanistan]], which seemingly vindicated this concept of transformation. While the prospect of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|war in Iraq]] in 2003 promised a wider proving ground for it, the unexpected counterinsurgency campaign that followed undermined Rumsfeld's transformation and highlighted his failures in planning and his resistance to changing policies. In late 2006, Bush fired Rumsfeld, replacing him with [[Robert Gates]], who changed strategies and commanders, thus calming the [[Iraq insurgency]].

In his second term as Secretary, Rumsfeld showed an intense, unwavering commitment to military transformation—his vision of a leaner, more lethal Department of Defense. He performed brilliantly for the press and won over public opinion. However inside the Pentagon, he ran roughshod over the most experienced generals and admirals, who resented his resistance to professional advice. After [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9-11]], he directed the [[War in Afghanistan]], which seemingly vindicated this concept of transformation. While the prospect of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|war in Iraq]] in 2003 promised a wider proving ground for it, the unexpected counterinsurgency campaign that followed undermined Rumsfeld's transformation and highlighted his failures in planning and his resistance to changing policies. In late 2006, Bush fired Rumsfeld, replacing him with [[Robert Gates]], who changed strategies and commanders, thus calming the [[Iraq insurgency]].

==Early life and career==

===Early career===

Born in Chicago, Donald Rumsfeld received his bachelor's degree in 1954 from [[Princeton University]], where he captained the wrestling team. After serving three years (1954–57) in the Navy as an aviator, he worked as a congressional aide in Washington, and as an investment banker in Chicago.

Born in Chicago, Donald Rumsfeld received his bachelor's degree in 1954 from [[Princeton University]], where he captained the wrestling team. After serving three years (1954–57) in the Navy as an aviator, he worked as a congressional aide in Washington, and as an investment banker in Chicago. In [[1962 Midterm Elections|1962]] he won election as a Republican to the [[United States House of Representatives]] from the North Shore district of Illinois;<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37050 IL District 13 Race - Nov 06, 1962]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref> he was reelected in 1964,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37049 IL District 13 Race - Nov 03, 1964]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref> [[1966 Midterm Elections|1966]],<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37051 IL District 13 Race - Nov 08, 1966]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref> and 1968.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37052 IL District 13 Race - Nov 05, 1968]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref>

 

In [[1962 Midterm Elections|1962]], he won election as a Republican to the [[United States House of Representatives]] from the North Shore district of Illinois;<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37050 IL District 13 Race - Nov 06, 1962]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref> he was reelected in 1964,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37049 IL District 13 Race - Nov 03, 1964]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref> [[1966 Midterm Elections|1966]],<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37051 IL District 13 Race - Nov 08, 1966]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref> and 1968.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=37052 IL District 13 Race - Nov 05, 1968]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 30, 2021.</ref>

===Nixon and Ford===

===Nixon and Ford===