THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, MR POWELL
I think this excellent summary of Colin Powell's recent teflon-coated career shows a real lack of leadership qualities beyond the integrity and charisma that make him so popular in the 90's. That would still double Bill Clinton's count of leadership qualities, but it's stunning for a man who is actually supposed to be a great leader. Additional aspects of leadership like vision, initiative, and bold risk-taking that everyone sees thoroughly permeating George Bush's entire being are missing in Powell. He could have easily led a revolution in the State Dept. as Rumsfeld did in the Pentagon. Instead, he became just another weak follower of the status quo, and a rusty cog in the machine -- except when prodded by his boss to help out.It almost seems like Sept 11 was just another date to rip off the wall calendar in the State Dept. Powell didn't step up to the plate and show us what he was made of. Or, if he did, and I missed it, then he and the rest of his team simply struck out. Neither conclusion is good for his legacy. Most of us would have eagerly voted for him if he ran for President in 96 just based on trust and reputation. His window of opportunity has closed on that though. Those days when we elected charismatic followers will not return for a while.
Bush should really think about appointing a new Secretary of State in 2004. Maybe Condoleeza Rice. Someone who better understands the modern world should be our chief diplomat. If she's willing and able to make a difference and can stop the State Dept. from undermining America's interests, Condi would put Madeline Albright to shame, and be a better alternative to Powell. From what I hear, she's the whole package when it comes to leadership strength -- just like her boss. A few years at State and we would have a better idea about her as a Presidential candidate for 2008.
Imagine Hillary's rage if she has to run against a smart, likeable, black Republican female leader. Did I mention Condi's very feminine, yet tough too? In other words, a real woman America could elect President. It would further expose Democrat Party leaders as frauds who have lied about the GOP for a living. The DNC and Hillary would insist that Bill Clinton counted as their black president, arguing that black voters should be satisfied and not defect to the GOP. And they would conversely call Condi a white racist in black skin who doesn't really count. It would be the final nail in their political coffin. I have a feeling Hillary might be caught screaming more than her usual "f---ing Jew Bastard!" slurs behind the scenes as she goes down to defeat. She'd probably sound more like Bill and Roger Clinton before saying:
Ohhh! You cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting! Melting! Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness? Ohhh! Look out! Look out! I'm going. Ohhh...Ohhhhh!
UPDATE:
Just saw saw George Will wrote his latest column on African American Inroads for the GOP.
It looks like Hillary may still be thinking of avoiding an unknown 2008 nightmare and allowing herself to be "drafted" for 2004 against Bush. She just launched a trial baloon in the form of her "long-awaited" book. This is what Al Gore did. The books failed to sell and he dropped out of the race. Pray for rain to melt her sales. Otherwise, as mentioned in the comments, Bush w/Rice as VP in 2004 would be the perfect response if Cheney wants to retire.