Bottoming out at State

Like what's going on at the CIA, things are about to get ugly at Foggy Bottom. Like the CIA, expect to see a purging of anyone who hasn't drunk the Bush administration's kool-aid, with experienced state department hands replaced by political appointees.

I have been disappointed in Colin Powell, though, ultimately, not all that surprised. We knew four years ago that the Bush clan prizes unquestioning loyalty over all other traits; the fact that Powell was able to raise any questions was, I guess, a victory of sorts.

His departure leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand, he's getting out of an abusive relationship, so that's a good thing. Moreover, his leaving removes the mask that the administration has tried to wear to make them appear -- unsuccesfully -- as engaged in internation affairs and interested in countries that do not begin with an "I." And perhaps now he'll be able to speak freely (and not just with Bob Woodward) about his experiences in the Bush White House. Perhaps not, though; he's still loyal to Bush pere.

At the very least, though, I hope he uses his new freedom to rip old nemesis Dick Cheney a new one.

But on the other hand, the reality-based community's last surviving member in the White House is now returning to private life. What little Powell could do to stay the insane ambitions of Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld will now be gone.

We know Bush doesn't like nay-sayers. Now he'll have a cabinet of bubble head dolls.

But, with Powell out of the picture, the long-running struggle over key foreign policy issues is likely to be less intense. Powell has pressed for working with the Europeans on ending Iran's nuclear program, pursuing diplomatic talks with North Korea over its nuclear ambitions and taking a tougher approach with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Now, the policy toward Iran and North Korea may turn decidedly sharper, with a bigger push for sanctions rather than diplomacy. On Middle East peace, the burden for progress will remain largely with the Palestinians.

Moreover, in elevating Rice, Bush is signaling that he is comfortable with the direction of the past four years and sees little need to dramatically shift course. Powell has had conversations for six months with Bush about the need for a "new team" in foreign policy, a senior State Department official said. But in the end only the key official who did not mesh well with the others -- Powell -- is leaving.

"My impression is that the president broadly believes his direction is correct," said former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

And why wouldn't he think that?

Rumsfeld, who directs the increasingly disastrous effort in Iraq seems to be staying.

Condi Rice, who once ignored a briefing entitled "al Qaeda determined to strike in the United States" is promoted.

It is certainly a relief to know that "accountability" is the watchword for a second Bush term.