The world’s next generation of Donald Rumsfelds will soon have a place to study and grow.
Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld “is working on setting up a new foundation” to “remain engaged in public policy issues” and offer “teaching and research fellowships for graduate and post-graduate students.” The Washington Times reports:
Rumsfeld has moved to new offices on M Street Northwest where he is working on setting up a new foundation, according to Larry Di Rita, a former Pentagon spokesman and Rumsfeld aide. [..]
The goal is to promote continued U.S. engagement in world affairs in furtherance of U.S. security interests, Mr. Di Rita said.
Mr. Rumsfeld has not decided on writing his memoirs, but if he does, all proceeds would go to support the foundation, he said.
Some potential lessons Rumsfeld could offer his pupils:
– Winning A War In Under Six Months: “It is unknowable how long that conflict [the war in Iraq] will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.”
– How To Be Greeted As Liberators:“‘Do you expect the invasion, if it comes, to be welcomed by the majority of the civilian population of Iraq?’ Jim Lehrer asked the defense secretary on PBS’ The News Hour. ‘There is no question but that they would be welcomed,‘ Rumsfeld replied, referring to American forces.”
– How To Create The Perfect War Plan: “Of course the implication that there was something wrong with the war plan is amusing.”
– Armies You Have Vs. Armies You Might Want: “As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They’re not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time.”
– Locating Weapons Of Mass Destruction: “It happens not to be the area where weapons of mass destruction were dispersed. We know where they are. They’re in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat.”
No word yet on whether Rumsfeld’s foundation will be folded into the think tank on French political thought that President Bush plans to create. Bush told ABC News last year, “I’d like to leave behind a legacy — or a think tank, a place for people to talk about freedom and liberty and the DeTocqueville model of what DeTocqueville saw in America.”
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