At the 2016 Concordia Summit in September, I had the privilege of interviewing former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld. I approached our time together as an opportunity to pick his brain for wisdom gained over the course of his illustrious career in politics and foreign affairs. I began by asking him to describe the four presidents he had served in one word. His answers – ranging from integrity to courage – provided insight into what makes an effective leader and are particularly relevant in the wake of such a contentious election as America seeks to move forward in unity and peace.
I first asked Secretary Rumsfeld to name a quality he admired in President Ford, who appointed him as his Chief of Staff in 1974. Without hesitation, Secretary Rumsfeld responded, “integrity,” leaving no room for debate surrounding Ford’s unwavering dedication to virtuousness and character. When President Ford assumed the Oval Office following Watergate, our nation was more skeptical of the establishment than ever before, and disillusionment permeated the public perception of government. However, President Ford found a way to restore public faith, and if President-elect Trump is to succeed in bridging the country’s divide, he must place a premium on sincerity and transparency in the same vein.
Of course, President Ford’s emphasis on integrity was a direct result of his predecessor President Nixon’s betrayal of the public trust. President Nixon, a man whose lack of integrity overshadowed numerous commendable achievements during his time in office, appointed Secretary Rumsfeld as the U.S. Representative to NATO in 1973. When I asked Secretary Rumsfeld to describe one of America’s most infamous Presidents in one word, he replied, “strategic.” Indeed, despite his shortcomings, whether President Nixon was negotiating with Ho Chi Minh or communicating with the press, he was undeniably tactful. President-elect Trump faces many domestic and global challenges ranging from immigration policy to healthcare to climate change, and he would do well to emulate President Nixon’s strategic approach to the presidency. Of course, as we learned with Nixon, strategy should never supersede integrity, and President-elect Trump’s strategies should be made transparent to the American public whenever possible.
The third president I asked Secretary Rumsfeld to describe was Ronald Reagan, a man revered for his friendly demeanor and affectionately nicknamed “The Great Communicator.” Unsurprisingly, Secretary Rumsfeld responded to my question about President Reagan with “warmth.” President Reagan’s warmth helped endear him to the public, and his charismatic ways elicited a willingness to entertain conservative ideas even by his opponents. President-elect Trump stands to benefit from an injection of warmth into his public persona following an exceptionally divisive campaign for the presidency.
President George W. Bush was the final president I asked Secretary Rumsfeld to summarize in one word. As president during the terrorist attacks on 9/11, President Bush was dealt one of the toughest hands in modern American history. His decision to go to war with Iraq remains controversial, but Secretary Rumsfeld’s decision to use “courage” in describing the former president is a revealing testament to President Bush’s legacy. It certainly took courage in the face of terrorist threats to make the tough decisions President Bush did. Over the next four years, President-elect Trump will undoubtedly be confronted with numerous national security issues and unforeseen threats to America. Meeting these challenges with resolute conviction will require courage and fortitude from President-elect Trump and his administration.
If President-elect Trump can find a way to exemplify integrity, warmth, strategy, and courage in his approach to the presidency, both his legacy and our country will benefit at a time when his success is imperative to America’s future.
