He achieved a smooth association with the military leadership by restoring some of the responsibilities they had lost during the 1960s .
Although not a close confidant of the president and not the dominant presence that McNamara was , Laird had been an influential secretary .
Laird achieved a smooth association with the military leadership by restoring some of the responsibilities they had lost during the 1960s .
Although not a close confidant of the president and not the dominant presence that McNamara was , Laird had been an influential secretary .