Softly, with a Big Stick

Weinberger preaches Reagan's gospel with stubborn charm

His longtime nickname "Cap the Knife" testifies to his reputation as a ruthless budget cutter. His anti-Soviet rhetoric is at least as bellicose as that of his Cabinet colleague Secretary of State Alexander Haig. Reflecting on the recent European visit of Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, the West German newspaper Die Welt complained that he came across like "a Roman proconsul," and a top British defense official said, "He has a way of dropping grenades around the china shop." Another British diplomat softened that blow a bit...

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