Rice, a Uniter of the Divided
`Within minutes of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s arrival on Capitol Hill yesterday, it became apparent that the Bush administration had, after four divisive years, finally succeeded in uniting Congress on the war in Iraq.
Unfortunately for Rice, the lawmakers were unified in opposition to President Bush’s new policy.
“I have to say, Madam Secretary,” a seething Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) told Rice, “that I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam.”
“Madam Secretary,” added Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, a moderate Democrat, “I have supported you and the administration on the war, and I cannot continue to support the administration’s position. . . . I have not been told the truth over and over again.”‘
