The standard rumor at the time was that Rumsfeld, as chief of staff, had persuaded President Ford to appoint George H.W. Bush as director of Central Intelligence, assuming that that got rid of a potential competitor for the presidency.

The quote by Bobby Ray Inman touches on the political maneuvering during the 1970s, particularly around the relationship between Donald Rumsfeld, President Ford, and George H.W. Bush. According to Inman, the rumor at the time suggested that Rumsfeld, who served as chief of staff, played a key role in persuading Ford to appoint Bush as director of Central Intelligence (CIA). The reasoning behind this decision, as per the rumor, was that it would effectively remove Bush as a potential competitor for the presidency, clearing the path for other political ambitions.

Inman’s statement highlights the strategic nature of political appointments and the underlying competition within the political landscape. Appointing someone to a high-profile position like the head of the CIA could serve multiple purposes, one of which could be to neutralize a political rival. The idea was that by assigning Bush to this important yet limiting role, it would keep him occupied with intelligence matters and out of the race for higher office in the near future, particularly the presidency.

The origin of this quote lies in the inner workings of U.S. politics during Ford's presidency, a time marked by shifts in power and the complex dynamics between political figures. The rumor reflects the intense competition within political circles, where decisions often carried personal and professional motivations, including the desire to minimize potential threats to one's own political future.

In essence, Inman’s comment underscores the ways in which political maneuvering and strategic appointments can be used to manage perceived threats to power. It suggests a belief that political appointments were not just about qualifications or expertise but also about eliminating competition and ensuring political dominance. The quote also speaks to the complexity and intrigue of political decision-making, where public actions can have hidden motives and consequences.