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Powell, Armitage goners in next cabinet- Post
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and his deputy, Richard L. Armitage, have signaled to the White House that they intend to step down even if President Bush is reelected, setting the stage for a substantial reshaping of the administration’s national security team that has remained unchanged through the September 2001 terrorist attacks, two wars and numerous other crises.
That’s a big, not unexpected shake up. No matter where you stand on issues, we’ve gotten our money’s worth out of Powell, IMO.
Armitage recently told national security adviser Condoleezza Rice that he and Powell will leave on Jan. 21, 2005, the day after the next presidential inauguration, sources familiar with the conversation said. Powell has indicated to associates that a commitment made to his wife, rather than any dismay at the administration’s foreign policy, is a key factor in his desire to limit his tenure to one presidential term. Rice and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz are the leading candidates to replace Powell, according to sources inside and outside the administration. Rice appears to have an edge because of her closeness to the president, though it is unclear whether she would be interested in running the State Department’s vast bureaucracy.
The thought of Wolfie in State should have the mullahs sprucing up their hiding caves.
With 18 months left in Bush’s current term, many officials said talk of a new foreign policy team is highly premature — particularly because Bush’s reelection is not assured. No one inside or outside the administration agreed to be quoted by name or affiliation in discussing possible Cabinet choices. But on the eve of the country’s first post-Sept. 11, 2001, presidential campaign, in which foreign affairs will play a prominent role, the national security lineup for a second Bush term is already a major topic of conversation, at least among those who make and analyze U.S. foreign policy. Indeed, Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet is already the third longest serving CIA chief and is expected to depart, perhaps before the current term ends. Tenet’s role in the Iraq weapons controversy has led to calls on Capitol Hill for his dismissal, fueling speculation he will quit soon.
But I doubt if he will if it looks like it's in response to pressure from the libs...
The current administration has been characterized by fierce policy disputes, often between Powell and more hawkish members, and a reshuffling likely would significantly change the tenor and character of the foreign policy team. (etc....)
Courtesy the Watchful Eye of Drudge.
Powell could go down in history as one of our most successful Secretaries of State. The stately good cop-bad cop polonnaise with Rumsfeld has been masterful. I'll bet his memoirs are going to be interesting — and probably hair-raising in places.

Posted by: Mark IV 2003-08-04
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=17244