[Pres Raygun]

Newt's statements neither helped the administration nor did they advance his goals.

I think Newt is being prompted by the Whitehouse to call for the reformation of State at this time. Why? Because the failure of State and the success of the Pentagon is abundantly clear to everyone. Now is the time to reform State while the public sees the obvious need for it. Notice that Newt did not criticize Powell, only the State Department itself. There will also be alot of house cleaning going on in the Pentagon. The Secretary of the Army got the ball rolling today by resigning. More of Rummy's enemies will follow shortly.

[ConservativeMan55]

I completely agree. Rummies enemies are fading away...which is good in my book. The happier Rummy is, the happier I am. This could be a reward for doing so well with the war.

[Filibuster_60]

DoD has won a massive victory in Gulf War II and Rumsfeld is trying to shape our new foreign policy along the following interrelated points:

1. Greater independence for exercise of US power
2. Less reliance on allies
3. Scaling-back of superfluous forward deployments, such as those in Korea and Saudi Arabia
4. Ability to deal with crises rapidly and disengage just as rapidly

This may be a far cry from the utopian vision of changing the world in the US image that some conservatives hope for. But in adjusting to the new realities and dynamics of world affairs, it's exactly what America needs: An overall streamlining of our international presence that facilitates independent US action and minimizes the need for "allies", whether for political support or military bases. It's actually a well-calculated design to achieve future objectives at the smallest possible cost in diplomatic fallout. Obviously there won't be too much diplomatic fallout if America weren't so dependent on foreigners' good will in the first place.

[bruinbirdman]

Why? Because the failure of State and the success of the Pentagon is abundantly clear to everyone.

I think the WH might say, "the historic failure of diplomacy to solve too many international problrms".

Recall, it was Pres. George W. Bush who said we would go it alone if no one else was willing.

Newt was not singling out SoS Powell; he was referring to the state of diplomacy worldwide and using our state department as an example.

SoS Powell carried out The Presidents instructions. GW was using the occasion of the UN stalemate on Iraq to make a powerful on the deteriorated state of the diplomatic service.

Rogue nations seem to have more realistic perceptions of the value of diplomacy.

yitbos

[Right_in_Virginia]

I think Newt is being prompted by the Whitehouse to call for the reformation of State at this time.

Sorry...I disagree. I don't think the White House has anything to do with this.