Reply #1: So far as I know Condiliar has never had to face actual questioning without

[saltpoint]

a protective shield.

The Bush administration allowed "limited access" for questioning by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for example. Kerry et all were fierce and clear in their questions but the format before that committee permitted Rice to eat up the clock with gobbledygook, which she apparently long ago mastered.

At the time she was in the catbird seat and thought she didn't owe them a proper response to their excellent questions.

She's not in the catbird seat now. A college student made her squirm and wiggle. Under real scrutiny, Rice doesn't stand much of a chance. Agree that she might finger Cheney et al if the heat gets turned on her.