While he excelled in preparing an army to fight, he did not have the decisiveness or people skills to lead it to victory.
One explanation is that he seems to represent German voters' own divided sentiments: he is at once a member of Mr Kohl's reassuringly conservative party and an embodiment of Christian Democratic values, while having the decisiveness needed to carry out the reforms that Germans in their hearts know the country needs.
"It is vital the government has the majority, the decisiveness and the strength to keep our country safe," he added.
And although economists may argue forever about the relative merits of carbon trading versus a carbon tax, Europe's decision to go for the former at least has the merit of decisiveness.
Just as he had in the first innings he survived a strong lbw shout from Herath, reviewed unsuccessfully by Sri Lanka (the umpiring of Aleem Dar and Sundaram Ravi has been outstanding in this match, as has been the decisiveness of the third umpire, Rod Tucker, when called upon) but Cook was playing with relieved freedom at the other end.
He slows play down in a manner that evokes late-era Van Nistelrooy and has reduced the decisiveness, especially on the counter-attack, that defines United at their best.
"He certainly has the vision and we believe the strength and the decisiveness," Jubeir continued.
Korea has the potential to move faster than other countries, but sadly we have lacked the decisiveness and bravery to do so.
Mr. Talat, speaking to reporters beforehand, said he believed the two sides had the determination and decisiveness to reach a conclusion shortly.
Their replacements have been at best confused and at worst dreadful — not because they aren't trying but because they don't have the experience or decisiveness to manage a much faster game than the high school and college games they are accustomed to.
