Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld weighed in on the presidential race Monday, saying it’s clear that GOP front-runner Donald Trump has stirred something in the American people, causing them to “respond in a way that most politicians have not been able to do.”
“I see someone who [has] touched a nerve in our country,” Mr. Rumsfeld, 83, said of Mr. Trump in an interview with “Today’s” Matt Lauer.
He continued, “The fact that Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are able to draw 10, 15, 20, 30 thousand people to hear them speak says there’s something going on in our country that they’re appealing to in a very interesting, unusual way.”
Asked what he would have thought if he was told 20 years ago that Mr. Trump had a chance at winning the GOP presidential nomination, Mr. Rumsfeld replied, “It was out of the question. It’s just amazing. This election year is so different from most, if not all, of the earlier ones I’ve experienced.”
He was also asked to weigh in on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s campaign, which has struggled despite huge financial advantages and backing from establishment Republicans.
“I suppose there’s people who are uncomfortable with a dynasty on the Democrat side or the Republican side,” mused Mr. Rumsfeld, who served under Mr. Bush’s older brother, former President George W. Bush.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.