[3AngelaD]

This is exactly what I told my boss this morning. I even mentioned the tar-baby. I think the White House set a trap and the Dems fell into it. The only way they could get her in front of that panel to say what they need her to say, without appearing defensive, was to have the Dems demand it and then appear to cave in to those demands.

[Law is not justice but process]

I think you are exactly right. She can go up there as indignant about Clarke's lies rather than responsive to perceived political damage. The press is still trying to sell it as a defensive move, but if Rice sets the right mood before the committee, it will look like she was the victim of a cheap shot when her enemies thought her hands were tied (which she was). Her opening statement should be to thank the committee and President Bush for giving her an opportunity to respond that she would normally not have.