by John M. Curtis
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Copyright January 18, 2005
All Rights Reserved.

olding her feet to the fire, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) gave Secretary of State nominee Condoleezza Rice a dose of reality during a perfunctory confirmation hearing by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Boxer pushed Rice's buttons, rattling the otherwise tightly wrapped national security advisor. Unlike her predecessor, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Rice lacks the playfulness, sense of humor and professionalism to handle Boxer's onslaught without coming unnerved. Boxer questioned Rice about contradictory public remarks on Iraq, especially statements about Saddam's nuclear weapons program. Rice blamed miscalculations about Saddam's dangerous weapons on bad intelligence. She offered no apology for misstatements, insisting that the administration did the right thing. “I think we made the right decision to overthrow him,” said Rice, defending President Bush's policy.

      No one questioned Rice's credentials for secretary of state. But it's clear that U.S. will no longer have the benefit of Powell's military experience and reluctance for combat. While Powell had differences with White House, it's abundantly clear that Rice won't rock the boat, no matter how misguided the policy. She became rattled when Boxer presented contradictions and questioned her rationale for war. “Your loyalty to your mission you were given overwhelmed your respect for the truth, and I say it lightly,” said Boxer, accusing Rice of hyping Saddam's nuclear threat before going to war in March 2003. “I have never, ever lost respect for the truth in service of anything. It is not my nature, it is not my character. And I would hope that we can have this conversation without impugning my credibility or my integrity,” said Rice defensively, allowing Boxer to get under her skin.

      Despite Boxer's critique, there was no reason for Rice to get rattled. Her confirmation wasn't hanging in the balance. All members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—including Boxer—told Rice her confirmation was a done deal. Rice's overreaction reflects her uneasiness about weapons of mass destruction. She insisted that the Iraq War involved more than WMD. “This was never going to be easy,” Rice told the committee, insisting that an exit strategy depended on whether the fledgling Iraqi army could defend itself. Boxer wanted Rice to admit that she and the Pentagon took the country to war on false pretences, namely, exaggerated claims about WMD. Reacting to Boxer's concerns about growing U.S. casualties and injuries, Rice insisted that world was better off without Saddam. Rice was also asked about a possible exit strategy or timetable for U.S. troops.

      Fellow GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) pressed Rice on an exit strategy in Iraq. “Would you explain to this committee what you and the president see as an exit strategy for America from Iraq . .” said Hagel, pushing Rice to for a viable plan. Rice equivocated, only saying that it depended on the state of Iraqi armed forces. Recent remarks by former Bush-41 national security advisor Brent Scocroft suggested that Iraq's Jan. elections might spark civil war. Rice exuded confidence about Iraq's predicament and those of U.S. forces currently mired in a bloody guerrilla war. Rice not only skirted the WMD issue, she offered little reassurance about an exit strategy or future military adventures, including going after Iran or North Korea. Rice ignored Boxer's pleas to protect the U.S. armed forces, currently sustaining unacceptable levels of mental and physical injuries in Iraq.

      In picking Rice, Bush gets a seamless State Department, closely aligned with the White House. Under Powell, friction existed with the Pentagon, whose Defense Intelligence Agency and Office of Special Plans were tightly synchronized with the White House, especially Vice President Dick Cheney who viewed Saddam as a top priority. Under Rice, there's some concern that the State Department will no longer enjoy the autonomy needed to place foreign affairs, international relations and global diplomacy above political ambitions. Apart from grandstanding, Boxer reminded Rice that the Secretary of State must do more than sell the White House agenda. Powell walked a fine line between pushing Bush's agenda and his responsibility to the international community. Boxer has difficulty justifying the continuing loss of American lives without urgent national security.

      Rice got rattled because there's some truth to Boxer's argument that the White House changed its rationale for war when convenient. When WMD were no longer valid, suddenly ending “rape rooms and torture chambers,” stopping a “brutal tyrant,” bringing “freedom and democracy” to Iraqis and finally “transforming the Middle East” served as the rationale for war. Boxer wanted Rice to know that as Secretary of State she shouldn't only serve as the administration's cheerleader. “Sept. 11, 2001 was a defining moment for our nation and for the world. Under the vision and leadership of President Bush, our nation has risen to meet the challenges of our time: fighting tyranny and terror, and securing the blessings of freedom and prosperity for a new generation,” said Rice, giving more platitudes about how she, as the nation's leading diplomat, plans to follow orders and use American power.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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