Bush sends crony who doesn't really know what she's doing instead of an expert. This from the Washington Post on Karen Hughes public diplomacy tour of the Mideast.

Hughes betrayed some nervousness in her first diplomatic foray, which will also take her to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. This is her first visit to all three countries, and as she spoke to reporters she clutched briefing papers that appeared to be the diplomatic equivalent of Cliffs Notes. Turkey was a "democratic state" and Egypt was the "most populous" country in the region, the document said.

Asked if she was meeting with the Muslim Brotherhood, Hughes turned uncertainly to an aide and indicated she wasn't quite sure of the answer. The aide whispered back and Hughes replied, "We are respectful of Egypt's laws."

The activities of the Muslim Brotherhood are officially banned, but it is regarded as the country's largest opposition party and has pressed for a more open political system in Egypt, the stated goal of U.S. policy. She also has no plans to meet with representatives of Kifaya, an umbrella opposition group.

Great so despite having seen how relying on cronies instead of people with knowledge and expertise doesn't work so well, Bush still sends Karen Hughes on a mission to convince people that we really care about the Middle East, its peoples, and the issues that concern them. Hughes qualifications for this mission and for the job as an undersecretary of state are what exactly? Beyond loyalty to Georgie and the ability to lie pretty well, what in her background, training, etc. makes her suitable for this role? Ohhh....right she was able to hoodwink large numbers of American voters into thinking that George Bush was qualified to be President of the United States.
posted by Idle Crank at 9/25/2005 05:00:00 PM