Rumsfeld squashed Bush's first attempt in creating czar-like war adviser

[sabra]

http://www.examiner.com/a-682637~White_House_having_trouble_creating_top_war_post.html

<snip>

A month after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush attempted to create a czar-like war adviser. Bush signed National Security Presidential Directive 8, which created the new post of “national director and deputy national security advisor for combating terrorism.” The director would be the president’s “principal adviser” on counterterrorism.

The powerful job seemed on its way to creation when Rumsfeld stepped in. He sent a blunt letter, stamped “secret,” to then-National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. He told her the post violated the military chain of command.

“I am no lawyer, but it seems to me there is only one principal military adviser,” Rumsfeld wrote. “Otherwise, the word ‘principal’ would have a brand new meaning.”

Rumsfeld won. The White House never executed NSPD 8.

[NV Whino]

1. Rummy wasn't about to answer to anyone else.

Gives you a tiny hint about how much power he had. And probably still has behind the curtain with Dick.