Quotation of the day.

[bktheirregular]

"It's bad policy to speculate on what you'll do if a plan fails when you're trying to make a plan work."

Condoleeza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State.

No matter what the context, that statement is so wrong that I can't find the words...

Good night, all. Lord knows I'm not going to sleep well.

Comments

[bktheirregular]

It's not about preconceptions. If Congress asks the Secretary of State what the Administration's Plan B is, in case Plan A fails, the Secretary of State doesn't have the right to scold Congress for negative thinking. Congress has a right to know, and a need to know, and "trust me" isn't an answer.

[aadler]

Ideally, you’re right. However, in an environment where political business is routinely enacted through dueling press releases (and leaks), public posture is an important consideration. Plus, there HAS been quite a bit of negative thinking, in that certain elements — whatever their own opinions might be — have a vested interest in seeing the official line discredited or undermined.

[bktheirregular]

And that justifies keeping the Congress in the dark? Congress would be derelict in its collective duty in not asking the tough questions - and "negative thinking" can be the product of serious concerns, not simply nay-saying.