In terms of Influence, Rate Donald Rumsfeld?
959221
Well unfortuneately this is where people are remembered in history books...not always for the good things they have done, but sometimes for the turmoil they created. Let me brainstorm here; The mess that has been created within the Pentagon, prison camps / human rights, enemies of the state, a quagmire in Iraq, General officers either forced in to retirement or walking out the door, the transformation of 'the new Army', backdoor draft, abusive use of guard and reserve troops, and lets not forget we have lost many if not most of our allies....\n\nSome of these things cannot be blamed entirely on Rumsfeld, but when you mix it up with other corrupt administration players it is amplified. He will go down in the books a little bit like McNamara (Kennedy / Johnson Secretary of Defense) did with Vietnam and the Cuban Missle Crisis. The big difference is that McNamara admitted his mistakes - he didn't create all the caos and leave office for someone else to fix. \n\nThe bottom line is that we learned a little bit from that era, and administrations since have steered clear of making the same mistake. Rumsfeld will mark a similar role - 'this is how not to be' so to speak. \n\nWith some of that said; blunders, abuse, failed policy, failed transformation, and discontent among the troops... I give him a 35.
646713
I would say the television would be the biggest influence.  A lot of Americans follow the televised and printed news as gospel and allow that to shape the way they feel about social issues. There are also the movies and TV which promote a certain type of lifestyles and people do not look at them as fantasy but as the way they should live or should want to live.  I think very few take influences directly from personal experience or research, most take it from hours and hours of TV.
904992
Nouri al-Maliki should be very concerend. Not that long ago, Bush was saying Rumsfeld was the man for the job. When Bush pats you on the back, it seems like he is showing where the knife should go.
896217
yes, it sounds like Rush Limbo see's that he has little influence...\ni gotta say that i'm a bit suprized how little influence he has on voters!
65294
FDR\nGoogle him. \n\nPublic Works\nLongest Administration, invariably he had the longest time to do most of the (good) works he is credited for, and we enjoy the effects to this day.
220351
I'd say some of each.  There are times when I think he's just blundering around, but at other times his actions appear to be highly calculated to further his own agenda at the expense of the America public and the constitution (which makes a president evil in my book).  And I certainly do not trust him or his administration (and I never have).
169606
there is always a percentage or possibility, but I don't think so.  \n\nBush is a puppet for the wolfowitz doctrine and other high profile secret societies. He is not for the people, he is for corporations, and making money for him and his cronies. Not helping any of use americans. Bush is a good puppet.
360541
Yes, but he won't. \n\nRumsfeld is the President's agent, as long as GWB needs him to take some of the heat Rummy will do it. If Rumsfeld left the buck would stop at George's desk.  Remember Dubya "makes decisions", and if the decision is nuts, let someone else deal with it.
1525
It's entirely a matter of preference and opinion. \n\nWith that said: Bill Clinton. :)
876784
I think it's already causing good things to happen......Rumsfeld's gone and Bush has been put on a leash.  I think the Dems will accomplish a great deal for the American people as well as the rest of the world.
203221
It depends.  If the question is what's 5 x 5 and you say 10 - then we disagree and I will grade you down.  If I say name the three most important events in this book and your answer is crazy, I'll grade down.  But if it's a good, open-ended question (Which President was the most influential to American History?) then your answer, as long as it's reasonable and supported with relevant facts, can be whatever you think.
755912
I agree with the appointed President, One would have to be brain damaged to match the level of incompetence of Donny Rumsfeld.
376949
I believe that Defense Secretary Rumsfeld needs to resign. While in office, his vision for the military simply does not jibe with reality. His concept of "transformation" means cutting down troop levels, purchasing a ton of gold plated fly boy toys, and letting the military-industrial complex (and private military companies) get hold of the taxpayers' hard earned money.\n\nThe perception of Rumsfeld is that with superior technology, America can defeat any opponent, unconventional and conventional. This is evident in the emphasis on technology as opposed to doctrine and training. However, as Col. Boyd (who developed the concept of OODA) once said, "People, ideas, hardware, in that order!" One must remember that in Vietnam, we had superior technology, but we could not entirely eliminate the NVA and VC after how many years of combat (though the VC was decimated after the Tet Offensive). In Korea, the Chinese were able to surprise the UN & US and drive them back, after managing to conceal their entire divisions from the UN/US air patrols. Americans must realize that technology may be a force multiplier, but cannot be relied on too much to fight wars. History has proven time and time again that excellent strategy, training, and quality warriors will always turn the tide of the war while technology helps (and hinders as well). One must also look at Iraq and see what is the major killer of our warriors. IEDs. These IEDs are relatively inexpensive, and are able to defeat our hundred thousand dollar uparmored HUMVEEs and even our million dollar M1A2 Abrams tank. RPGs can take down our helicopters. Why is it that the enemy can find a low cost and effective solution and we cannot? And about the Army's planned brigade combat teams... it guts maneuvering elements (and counts the reconnaisance battalion as a maneuvering element) while enlarging headquarters. Being flexible is important, but this BCT concept on the surface seems to make it more flexible, but in reality makes it less flexible. With less maneuvering elements and a bloated headquarters, it becomes more slower and inefficient.\n\nNot to mention, his performance for the invasion of Iraq was unacceptable. Despite the warnings and objections from the professional generals (about troop levels, post-war planning, etc), he decided to go ahead anyways. Now we are stuck fighting an insurgency in an effort to stabilize Iraq.
428242
It depends on the country. They have used it to influence politics in teh Ukraine. Check out the NY Times on line for articles about it in the last 6 months
694249
It depends, what kind of influences?
172328
Depends on what you mean by "influential", but IMO the Christian leader with the greatest reach politically and socially is Billy Graham.  Then again, consider someone like Rev. Joseph Lowry, "the dean of the civil rights movement"  who spoke at Coretta Scott King's funeral this week.\n\nThere are actually as many voices in organized Christian leadership as there are political views in this country.
983248
Funny how the political hacks on the Republican side never mention the influential Republicans who have criticized this mess. There are a lot of Republicans who are furious at how Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush have run the war. Senator Chuck Hagel, a decorated vet and the much respected Senator Warner of Virginia come to mind. These guys know what they're talking about.