Condoleeza Rice is the perfect choice for Secretary of State only if you believe that the highest post in the Cabinet should be occupied by a jellyfish. Colin Powell was weak when the time came to stand up for his principles. But at least he had some beliefs to abandon, and a rudimentary backbone to support them. Rice will never be accused of being too forthright in telling the boss what she thinks, because she will never tell him anything in the first place. She will report to the Oval Office each morning and be told what the President believes, which she will then dutifully announce to the media as her own “policy” for the State Department of the United States.

Those who have been outraged to hear British Prime Minister Tony Blair described as “Bush’s Poodle” should be overjoyed at the Rice appointment. Blair is about to get a promotion. Compared to Condoleeza Rice, Tony Blair is Bush’s Rottweiler.