[Miss Marple]

I still think that someone who is a leaker has been trapped...hopefully one of those weenies in the State Department.

Even if Powell were considering leaving, he would NEVER announce it this early, not only to avoid harming the President but more importantly, it would undercut his position as Secretary of State.

[newgeezer]

I'll bet you're right!

[jriemer]

I still think that someone who is a leaker has been trapped...hopefully one of those weenies in the State Department.

They could run this routine every day (and be murder on our blood pressure) until 11/2004 and still not put a dent in the stockpile of left-over ghouls at State Department. There's just too many of them that can be coaxed out of their gopher holes to expose themselves enough to be fired for leaking this or similar information. The civil service regulations tie Bush and Powell's hands except for all the most severe cases. Its a tough situation where your own admistration is as much a vicious enemy as any seen in Afganistan or Iraq.

[Republican Red]

Fox was reporting that the story was strange (even though they reported on it as truth earlier) because the Secretary of State would never announce 18 months in advance that he was leaving. He would become a lame duck to the world which undercuts his remaining tenure. Also, if Powell were leaving he would go right to the President not through underlings to let the Presdient know. Sounds like either a made-up story to undermine Powell or a "journalist" got snookered by a democratic source.

[onyx]

I think you're right! A "trapped" and soon to be an "outed & ousted" weenie! Doesn't get much better than this, now does it?

[Mo1]

Even if Powell were considering leaving, he would NEVER announce it this early, not only to avoid harming the President but more importantly, it would undercut his position as Secretary of State.

Exactly and I do wonder about your comment about the trap to out the leaker .. I hope so

[Right_in_Virginia]

"I still think that someone who is a leaker has been trapped...hopefully one of those weenies in the State Department. "

I hope you're right..and that the "someone" is shown the door!!

[bert]

perhaps they floated a trap, just for meaness.