etary Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General John Ashcroft, and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (Landay, Strobel, & Douglas, 2003). This so-called ôdream teamö has been characterized by Landay, et al (2003) as representing a coalition of experienced political figures with vast expertise in international relations. With the exception of First Lady Laura Bush, this group of surrogates were initially expected to compensate for President BushÆs own lack of international experience. Each of these appointees is seen as both expert in their field and as ôstrongö which Landay, et al (2003) suggest represents forceful personalities able to communicate effectively, persuade others to their views, and thereby de-emphasize any lack of knowledge that the president himself may have.
Each of these officials plays a different role and operates somewhat autonomously within their brief. For example, since September 11, 2001 and particularly since the invasion of Iraq, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has essentially led the presidentÆs team in interacting with the media and Congress and ôsellingö the presidentÆs position on weapons of mass destruction, rogue nations, and terrorism. RumsfeldÆs press conferences, appearances before the Congress, and direct interactions with foreign government leaders and officials have been key to BushÆs plans for Afghanistan, Iraq, and the war on terror (Dinmore & Mcgregor, 2003).
Rumsfeld has traveled widely, as is evident in an October 2001 four-nation tour of West and Central Asia to prepare the region for the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Rumsfeld has also visited Iraq as well as various American states (Rumsfeld on mission, 2001). Landay, et al (2003) pointed out that Rumsfeld is often viewed as abrupt, combative, and even as at odds with other Bush spokespeople such as Condoleezza Rice, whose job at the National Security Council has recently been expanded to include the overs...