[samantha]

I think he is afraid of her, as most Men appear inclined. she just looks like the kind of Woman that would walk in the men's room after them to finish a confrontation that started in Public. They don't want to hear that shrew screaming at them and throwing things at them.

[Txsleuth]

Of course they also don't want the women's group yelling that he is picking on her because she is a woman..NOT because she is not qualified.

But, if one of them were smart...they would point out that a lot of the countries that we have to deal with daily, especially regarding the WOT...have cultures that would BALK at negotiating with a country run by a woman..because they don't think women should even have jobs..(some of them).

Do they have the guts to say that it COULD compromise our ability to deal effectively on foreign policy??

Sure, they talk to Condi Rice...but they know she isn't the "decider in chief".