Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), stumping in South Carolina on Monday, characterized Donald Rumsfeld as one of the “worst Secretaries of Defense in history.” Responding Tuesday to questions, White House spokesman Tony Snow was both dismissive and supportive. He said McCain simply “holds a different view” of Rumsfeld, whom the White House believes was “enormously consequential and effective.” Still, Snow ensured he ruffled no McCain feathers, praising the Senator’s “strong support” on President Bush’s new Iraq program. Snow said of McCain, he “has been an eloquent voice and a reliable leader.”
The Pentagon is making progress developing a new target round for test the effectiveness of U.S. missile defenses. Contractor Northrop Grumman announced the first flight of a redesigned vehicle Jan. 8.
