Rumsfeld's Eyewitness News

By Al Kamen
Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Top government officials like to pretend they're not interested in what the press writes about them -- even though their substantial public affairs operations monitor most every word written about the boss, especially by the regulars who travel with him.

For example, while Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld was off on an unannounced trip to Baghdad last week, scores of folks in the Pentagon press operation were kept apprised of the coverage.

"Coverage . . . by the traveling press . . . was extensive," an April 27 e-mail to colleagues from Harold Heilsnis of the Armed Forces Information Service reported, counting up the number of articles by each wire service and noting that CBS News had not filed anything.

The summary noted that some reports said Gen. George W. Casey Jr . was "more optimistic" than Rumsfeld about future troop reductions. But Rumsfeld "also shot down critics who doubted the capabilities of the Iraqi troops."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice 's arrival and meetings with incoming Prime Minister Jawad al-Maliki "shifted coverage to . . . prospects of a national unity government," the summary said. "Additional angles explored the recent 'generals' revolt'; U.S. plans for military action in Iran; the need to deal with the militias. . . ."

And there were other stories. The next day, Rumsfeld appeared on Laura Ingraham 's radio show, where she mentioned the "historic times in Iraq" and the move toward a "unified government."

Rumsfeld talked of a "historic event" and said Iraqis appreciate the need to have a "unified government."

And Rumsfeld had nothing but praise for the Iraqi media. "Their questions were thoughtful and substantive and had dimension to them, in contrast to some of the questions we hear elsewhere."

Well, the Iraqi reporters have had decades of experience grilling their leaders, as opposed to those "elsewhere" people. Ingraham cited an article by our colleague Glenn Kessler that said Rumsfeld and Rice didn't seem in sync on this last trip. "Are you and Condoleezza Rice on the outs or something?" she asked.

"Oh, absolutely not," he said. "What nonsense. It's just fairly typical Washington Post stuff."

Ingraham then said she was "struck" by a comment by Sunni leader Saleh al-Mutlak , whose brother was killed last month. "My life is not important anymore," he said. "The lives of Iraqis -- if I can do something good for them, I will not hesitate at all."

"That kind of bravery . . . and courage," Ingraham said, "unfortunately gets underreported in our media all too often."

"You're exactly right," Rumsfeld agreed.

Indeed, exactly right. We checked the LexisNexis and Factiva databases for that quote and found only one publication that reported it -- out of thousands listed in the databases.

And that one would be? Ah yes, the "fairly typical Washington Post."

Friends of Claude Allen

Former White House domestic policy adviser Claude A. Allen -- who quit before his arrest in March for taking more than $5,000 in goods from Hecht's and Target stores in a phony refund scheme -- is looking for help paying his lawyers.

A group of Allen friends sent a letter April 15 saying the Allens are having a difficult time and "appeal for your understanding and trust." The letter, from Allen's pals and defense fund trustees, says many have asked how they can help. "Please continue praying" for Allen and his family, they advise, but it suggests recipients can also give them up to $12,000 with no tax consequences. The money would be used for family and legal expenses.

Stockholm for $25,000?

Most of the primo embassies in recent years have tended to go to "Rangers" or "Pioneers" and longtime GOP contributors. But President Bush yesterday named Michael M. Wood , a Washingtonian who headed a media and real estate investment company, to be ambassador to Sweden. Wood received a lifetime achievement award from the Home Builders Association of Flint, Mich., his home town.

Records indicate Wood contributed $25,000 to the GOP in the 2004 cycle. That's really not a lot for one of the few remaining European postings.

Rumsfeld Does Have Principals

Catching up at the Pentagon . . . Eric Ruff , a top aide in the public affairs shop, is moving up to be "a principal spokesman" for Rumsfeld, under a press operation restructured by the newly confirmed assistant secretary for public affairs, J. Dorrance Smith . (Smith has been in the job but with a recess appointment.) And Powell A. Moore , who had been Rumsfeld's assistant secretary for legislative affairs -- and had served in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations -- has been tapped to be Rumsfeld's representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The job, based in Vienna, was last held by David Nicholas , who died last year.