Circling the Wagons

I don't believe that ouster is the correct term to describe the strategic realignment of tactical assets within the Bush administration that has been effected with the recent replacement of Don Rumsfeld.

Can anyone explain how the removal of an old GHW Bush associate and his replacement with another long-term GHW Bush faithful can be construed as step forward? As we were taught in the military, do not confuse movement with progress. I view this appointment of former CIA director to the DoD as a regressive versus a progressive move.

In the Westerns, this is the scene known as the circling of the wagons.