Is there any evidence that Rumsfeld was more effective at managing budgets than other Secretaries of Defense? He liked to talk big, but he talked big about Iraq and was a complete failure and liar (including on the budget).

Gates did a lot, canceling Cold War era projects such as the F-22 rather than throw good money after bad, especially with the U.S. fighting two insurgencies (for which advanced fighter planes were a waste). His successor Ash Carter refocused the Defense Department on planning and developing for future warfare, especially in the 'cyber' domain.