A Rumsfeld Roadblock?

By Timothy J. Burger

If President Bush supports an overhaul of the nation's intelligence community--including the creation of a national intelligence director (NID) with broad powers over the CIA and the Defense Department--why is his Defense Secretary dragging his feet? In testimony before congressional committees and a classified discussion with Senators last week, Donald Rumsfeld apparently left a bad taste in some legislators' mouths. His recalcitrance has rankled at least one key Senate Republican, Susan Collins of Maine. "I am disappointed with Secretary Rumsfeld's comments," she told TIME. "[They] do not seem to be consistent with the strong position taken by the President." She added that she found it "surprising" that Rumsfeld would be trying to weaken the NID or delay reform entirely. Or not so surprising--considering that Rumsfeld's department could lose clout and money in the restructuring. Pentagon spokesman Larry DiRita insists that Rumsfeld supports reform but wants to ensure that U.S. soldiers aren't shortchanged in the overhaul. --By Timothy J. Burger