The Clothes Make the Woman

Most pundits, InstantReplay included, would have predicted that the net effect of moving Condoleezza Rice to the State Dept in place of Colin Powell would have made the Bush administration a more neo-conservative entity. The opposite, however, seems to be happening. Apparently the "clothes" of the office of Secretary of State have brought out a diplomatic, tactful side of Condi that was not on display in her role as National Security Advisor. She's not as internationalist as Powell, by any means, but she has what he never had: the President's ear.

Now, the State Department has a loud, clear voice in the Oval Office. As smart as Powell was, he was put on mute by the administration. Now, with Condi in charge, the State Department is in full communication with the President, and is outflanking the Department of Defense.

No one would have predicted it, but the change from Powell to Rice could actually have a moderating effect on the second Bush administration. Wonders never cease.