The calendar isn't any kinder to dreams of a missile shield. That's why the Pentagon is scurrying to modify two systems now in development. Given the constraints imposed by physics, fiscal reality and foreign policy, the man who served as co-chair of Bob Dole's failed 1996 campaign will have to use Bill Clinton's system as his base. Significantly, Bush didn't mention space-based missile defense as a possible solution. But Rumsfeld did, alarming those who fear turning outer space into a battlefield.
More defensive layers mean fewer missiles can leak through.
A layered system will cost more money, take more time and generate more opposition from allies, foes and arms-control advocates. Rumsfeld, a former Navy pilot and Princeton wrestling champ, relishes such skirmishes. Rummy and his posse have set up more than a dozen panels to quietly review the Pentagon from top to bottom. The uniformed military, not surprisingly, is unhappy with the secrecy. He's playing things too close to the vest, and that's leading to errors.