Hmm. What a coincidence!
BUT Haig was simply trying to give them serious, tough foreign-policy advice, Hormats says. Haig felt undermined by what he perceived to be a lot of posturing and backstairs maneuvering by the White House. Those loyal to Haig suggest that the White House staff did much to fuel speculation over Haig’s behavior.
Bill Taylor, who was with Haig at West Point when Haig was a regimental commander there, thinks Haig got ``an extremely bum rap’’ while in the Reagan administration, particularly over the ``I’m in control’’ incident. Haig’s swiftness in exerting leadership in a chaotic situation reflects his military training, says Dr. Taylor, now vice-president for political and military affairs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
``He is a guy who accepts full responsibility. The man does not have an ego. He is used to being close to the seat of command and is ready to assume responsibility. He is not out to grab power - there is a difference. He will assume responsibility.’’
Taylor adds: ``He is an extremely organized and selfless person.’’
Taylor says Haig is a first-rate tactician and a consummate strategist, and that those skills were evident when Haig was supreme commander of NATO from 1974 to 1979.
Small world.
https://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0108/zhaig.html
I remember Haig saying on TV, “I’m in control here, awaiting the return of the Vice President.” (George H. W. Bush, who was in Houston at the time of the attempt on President Reagan’s life). Haig certainly did get a bum rap.
The VP immediately hopped on Air Force 2 and headed back to Washington.