There is another fact that may have gone into the decision to set this as policy at the beginning of the war.
On 9/11, Rumsfeld was outside the Pentagon, helping with the wounded, carrying IV fluid bags, etc.
He was so wrapped up in helping the wounded that he was distracted from coordinating our defense.
He may have decided not to make that error again.
I have no doubt that Donald Rumsfeld is a fine human being. But my assessment stands and I'll depart this thread by acknowledging that we must agree to disagree on this issue.