Alexander Haig

I do not know what kind of general Alexander Haig was but in my opinion his political roles were close to incompetent. That is a harsh judgment but I believe it is correct.

Kissinger argued in his memoirs that "“By sheer willpower, dedication and self-discipline, he held the government together,” during the end days of the Nixon administration. I believe Kissinger's assessment is totally off the mark. He may have helped to bring down Nixon a bit quicker. He was also credited as being a key force when President Reagan was shot. In both instances he evidenced a tin ear on the essential negotiating skills that the best presidents exercise.

Haig was fired by Reagan as Secretary of State and he lashed back at the president as being a "cipher" - but Reagan understood something that Haig never could - that the president has very few instances where he can command. Haig was a West Point graduate who was below the middle of his class. He never seemed to have understood nuance in political life.