Rumsfeld, an experienced Washington pro, served as defense secretary in the Ford administration.
"There's no question in my mind that his record of service to the country is extraordinary. This is a man who has got great judgment. He has got ... vision and he will be a great secretary of defense again," Bush said at a news conference.
One of Rumsfeld's first tasks as defense secretary, according to Bush, will be "to challenge the status quo inside the Pentagon, to develop a strategy necessary to have a force equipped for warfare of the 21st century. It's going to take a lot of cooperation and close work with the Congress. Both of us pledge to do just that."
In accepting the nomination, Rumsfeld told Bush he was "delighted" to be returning to public service, with the "very fine national security team" being assembled, as well as "your director of central intelligence, whoever that may be."
The CIA nomination is one of several Bush still has to make. "I guess we can confirm today, Mr. president-elect, that it's not me," Rumsfeld said.
Rumsfeld said he "enthusiastically" supported Bush's "blueprint" for America's defense.
"We are in a new national security environment. History teaches us that weakness is provocative. The task you have outlined is to fashion deterrence and defense capabilities so that our country will be able to successfully contribute to peace and stability in the world," Rumsfeld said.
Bush said the defense mission of his administration would be "to build a durable peace."
"This will require strong alliances, expanding trade, advancing our ideals and interests and consistent diplomacy. With General [Colin] Powell serving as secretary of state, that mission is in very good hands. But the foundation of peace is to have a military ready to keep the peace, ready for every danger, equal to every challenge," Bush said.
American armed forces, according to Bush, have "an irreplaceable role in our world."
"They give confidence to our allies. They deter the aggression of our enemies," Bush said.
Bush said he had "three goals" for America's defense during his administration.
"One is to strengthen the bond of trust between the American president and those who wear our nation's uniform. Secondly is to defend our people and allies against missiles and terror, and thirdly is to begin creating a military prepared for the dangers of a new century. Ours is a military of volunteers, whether someone is in the active forces, reserves or guard, they are there at their own choosing and we must honor their service," Bush said.
Bush vowed to get "better pay" and "better training" and "clear missions with attainable goals" for America's military.
Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Rumsfeld "a strong choice" and said he looked forward to hearing the nominee's views "on how he will keep America's armed forces the best trained, best equipped and most capable fighting force in the world."
Rumsfeld began his political career in 1957, serving as an administrative assistant to an Ohio congressman. In 1962, at age 30, he was elected to the U.S. House from Illinois. Rumsfeld retired from Congress in 1969 and served for several years in the Nixon administration.
He was called back to Washington in 1974 to head the transition to the presidency of Gerald Ford. After completing those duties, Rumsfeld served as Ford's chief of staff and in 1975, became the 13th U.S. secretary of defense, the youngest in our nation's history to hold that job.
Over the last 25 years, Rumsfeld has held prominent positions in the private sector with a pharmaceutical company (G.D. Searle & Co.) and the firm (General Instrument Corp.) that pioneered the development of all-digital high definition television. He continued his public service in a variety of posts, most recently as chairman of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Threat Commission (1998-1999) and as a member of the U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission (1999-2000).
Former Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana had widely been reported as Bush's choice for defense secretary. He had come under fire from leftists for being conservative on issues such as homosexuals in the military.
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