For all the invective targeted at Donald Rumsfeld during his final year in office, nobody ever accused him of being a soft touch. And it's no surprise that the milblog community never knew exactly what to make of its secretary of defense, either. Although many service members respected him for his determination, others saw that determination as a stubbornness that prevented him from changing course when policies did not produce their desired effects.
http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2007/01/2399693