Rice faces House’s questions about Iraq

October 26, 2007 · Filed Under Politics, U.S. News

For months, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fended off demands from Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that she testify about a growing list of State Department problems in Iraq.
Rice finally made her appearance Thursday, and faced aggressive questioning about corruption in the Iraqi government, rogue behavior by security guards for private contractor Blackwater USA, and construction defects at the new $600-million U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

“We need to know whether the mistakes of the State Department have jeopardized any chance for political success in Iraq,” Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) said in his opening remarks.

Rice, an academic by training and a diplomat by profession, sparred for three hours with Waxman and committee Democrats. Republicans charged that Democrats, without the votes in Congress to end the war outright, were trying to halt it by exposing a series of problems in Iraq.

“The Democratic strategy seems to be to drill enough small holes in the bottom of the boat to sink the entire Iraqi enterprise, while still claiming undying support for the crew about to drown,” said ranking member Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.).

Anybody that wants to know what “drunk with power” looks like needs only to look at Henry Waxman. He’s been investigating, badgering, smearing, and condemning the Bush Administration week after week.

He’s issued subpoena’s for damn near everyone that has ever had any dealings with the President. I wouldn’t put it past Waxman to subpoena Barney, the President’s dog.

I usually watch all the hearings on Capital Hill, because it’s always amazing to see how they fit so many huge egos in one room. Rice’s testimony was especially interesting, because she refuse’s to be bullied by Waxman and his stooges.

When the Democrats hold hearings and pretend to be outraged, the whole thing is just so obvious. It’s the epitome of a dog and pony show. I can’t imagine anyone really believing the whole process is authentic or has any real value. It’s pure partisan politics and while it does make for good TV, it’s a colossal waste of time.

-Chris Jones