MANHANDLING THE MEDIA

A journalist confronts the Secretary of Defense about his credibility, and the Bush administration responds with a show of force

By Jeff Norman

Gold Star mom Nadia McCaffrey wound up her Southern California visit Thursday, after four U.S. Tour of Duty events, by attending Donald Rumsfeld's speech at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The Secretary of Defense spoke before a capacity audience at a luncheon presented by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

Rumsfeld continued to dismiss reports that prisoner abuse by American military personnel is widespread. He praised his subordinates for "conducting investigations," and claimed the torture problem has been solved. Rumsfeld insisted recent news coverage of prior incidents only makes it seem "like it's new allegations."