Transitions

He came to embody not only the deteriorating situation in Iraq but the squandered political fortunes of the Republican Party at home. So within hours of the GOP's ugly November defeat, blame came to rest at Donald Rumsfeld's (pictured) doorstep.

Controversy and acrimony eclipsed a remarkable career: Elected to Congress at age 30, the two-time defense secretary served three years of active duty in the Navy and 18 years in the reserves. He entered his first Cabinet position in 1969 and served five presidents. His time with the younger Bush—starting with 9/11 attacks that sent jolts and rumbles through his own office at the Pentagon—would prove roughest: By the time Rumsfeld resigned Nov. 8, the day after Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate, leaders in both parties had fingered the defense secretary for overpromising and underplanning on Iraq, for turning a cavalier face to worsening reports from Baghdad, and for failing to take to heart the advice of his own military brass.