Why Dr. Rice will be more successful as Secretary of State than Gen. Powell was

As Rice Prepares to Move Up, Diplomacy May Be on Rise, Too
By TODD S. PURDUM

ASHINGTON, Jan. 16 - Her confirmation as the 66th secretary of state is a foregone conclusion, and the White House plans to swear her in on Inauguration Day. But starting Tuesday morning, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will begin what could stretch to two full days of questioning Condoleezza Rice about almost every aspect of her past performance and future plans.

No question looms larger than just what kind of secretary of state Ms. Rice will be. She declined to be interviewed for this article, but her associates and even some of her rivals say she shows every sign of setting a course aimed at putting diplomacy at the top of the Bush administration's foreign policy agenda after a period dominated by military action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ms. Rice's goals vary from restoring America's reputation in the capitals of Europe through a vigorous campaign of public diplomacy to actively promoting free institutions throughout the Middle East and renewing involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, and include a heightened focus on free trade and economic issues, associates say.

I asked myself, what does Dr. Rice deliver that Gen. Powell couldn't?

Uncritical support.

She just got rewarded for four years functioning as an appendage. If it ain't broke...

No mixed signals, no making the mistake you're gonna get any rhythm at all. No pretence you're dealing with any power other than the ability to get your answer to America's demands straight to Cheney's ear.

Um, Bush's ear too.

Posted by Prometheus 6 on January 17, 2005 - 9:13am :: Politics
 
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I think quite frankly, that Rice, unlike Powell has some realpolitik in her backbone. Powell strikes me as the kind of person who responds to challenge and is more interested in making things work. He's the kind of man who enjoys tinkering with beat up Volvos and making them run again. BUT ITS A BEAT UP VOLVO! Rice is not so interested in saving lost causes and is going to call a spade a spade. She'll fight for her position and will be heard.

The question I have of her is will she organize the State department like a consummate manager or like an ideologue. We already know that Armitage is not going to work for her, that's a big strike against her in my book.

Posted by  Cobb on January 17, 2005 - 7:03pm.

I think quite frankly, that Rice, unlike Powell has some realpolitik in her backbone.

You were more concise than I that time.

I actually do think of Dr. Rice as the consummate expert employee.

Posted by  Prometheus 6 on January 17, 2005 - 7:37pm.

I don't have a high opinion of Rice, since I don't have a good opinion of Bush, and Rice's forte is delivering the party line and pleasing her boss.

Posted by  NancyP (not verified) on January 17, 2005 - 10:32pm.

You know that particular slander has been very successful with the Left. What's interesting is that Rice was doing foreign policy when GWBush was doing coke. So who's following whom?

Posted by  Cobb on January 17, 2005 - 11:13pm.

Slander?

Do you honestly think Condoleeza Rice, were she in charge, would have proceeded the same way Bush did?

Who's following who? Who is in the superior position in the hierarchy? WHo gives the orders?

Posted by  Prometheus 6 on January 17, 2005 - 11:21pm.