Political Theater: Weak Democrat Senators Play Touch with Condolezza Rice

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorsed the nomination of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state on a 16 to 2 vote yesterday after Democrats on the panel expressed deep frustration at her answers on Iraq and terrorism in two days of hearings. A spokesman for Senate Democrats said yesterday that they will not attempt to block Rice's nomination but hope to have a chance to debate it on the Senate floor next week before a vote. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), who lost the presidential election to President Bush, and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) were the two members of the 18-person committee who voted against Rice's nomination. But other Democrats joined them in criticizing what they characterized as evasive answers and an unwillingness in nearly 10 hours of testimony Tuesday to concede any fault in administration decision making during Bush's first term, when Rice served as national security adviser. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.), the panel's senior Democrat, told Rice he will vote for her, "with a little bit of frustration and some reservation," mainly because he feels that a president generally deserves to have his Cabinet choices approved. [more]

• Pictured above: Condoleezza Rice thanks Sens. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), center, and Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.). The Senate panel voted 16 to 2 to endorse her. (Melina Mara -- The Washington Post)