Business as Usual, but More So

The State Department under Colin Powell has had few victories in the ideological battle with the hawks in the Bush Administration. Now, the Washington Post reports * that Powell and his deputy, Richard Armitage, are preparing to leave the government whether Bush wins a second term or not.

Possible replacements include Condoleezza Rice and Paul D. Wolfowitz, according to the article. It is normal for a second-term President to reshuffle his cabinet to better reflect his policy goals. There's no pressure to go before the electorate again, and thus less need to pander to constituencies that aren't in sync with the Presidential philosophy. But for someone uneasy with decision making in the current Administration, this glimpse of the shape of Bush's second term is unsettling, to say the least.

Update, 8/5/2003: The White house and Colin Powell have categorically denied the story. According to Powell:

"The story has no substance. And the so-called conversation that took place between my deputy, Mr. Armitage, and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice did not take place."

I suppose it's in the Dem's interests to heighten concern about a Bush second term. Or, Colin could be lying. I'd like to think he wouldn't do that, though.

* Link may require you to give up some information. Just tell them you are 92 years old, and of the opposite gender. 8) Posted by hbo at August 4, 2003 03:49 PM