Columnist Benjamin Grove: Rummy chic is all the rage

Benjamin Grove

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 4:33 a.m.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said it was proof of guilt: "He was the mastermind." Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said bin Laden's gloating and bragging were "disgusting." And Nevada's Jim Gibbons, a member of the House Intelligence Committee said, "This man is nuts. He has no appreciation for human life."

My own thoughts were not unique: bin Laden's body language was as chilling as his words, especially his collapsing hand gesture that mimicked the Trade Center towers. And his laugh -- he chuckled as he suggested some of the terrorists did not know Sept. 11 would be their last day alive. He thought the deaths of his own band of "martyrs" were funny.

Everyone found it hard not to react to the incendiary tape.

Everyone except Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Rumsfeld has become a superstar in Washington. Once thought an old-school relic who struggled as Secretary of Defense, he now thrives as a steely Secretary of War. Rumsfeld is known for his willingness to playfully tussle with reporters, mustering charm while being maddeningly coy. He disarms the media, stunning them with a blunt, honest answer or a simple "I don't know." When asked about the man whom bin Laden chats with on the tape, Rumsfeld said only, "He interests us."

U.S. News & World Report put Rumsfeld on the cover last week, declaring "the new rage is hip-to-be-square, Rummy chic." The Washington Post profiled the nation's 69-year-old defense chief last week, noting that Rumsfeld is a ruthless squash player who, unlike his dour, big-eared generals, freely uses the verb "to kill." Post media critic Howard Kurtz said Rumsfeld was "hotter than the exhaust fumes on a B-52."

So, naturally, reporters eagerly sought out the Man of the Moment for his thoughts on the tape Thursday.

But when an NBC correspondent asked him for his "personal" reaction, Rumsfeld was mum. Washington was hanging on his every word, but Rumsfeld said he didn't want to "impose" his opinion.

Rumsfeld said the tape speaks for itself. "It is what it is," he said -- speaking volumes by saying nothing as only Rumsfeld can, squinting through rimless glasses.

People can make their own judgments about the tape, Rumsfeld said. Without elaborating he added, "I know what I think."

Rumsfeld didn't feel a pressing urge, as others did, to articulate rage after viewing the tape.

Military forces under Rumsfeld's direction are doing that for him.