NOBODY ON, TWO OUTS, AND IT'S ALL UP TO . . . CONDI

The White House has ordered a major reorganization of American efforts to quell violence in Iraq and Afghanistan and to speed the reconstruction of both countries, according to senior administration officials.

The new effort includes the creation of an "Iraq Stabilization Group," which will be run by the national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. The decision to create the new group, five months after Mr. Bush declared the end of active combat in Iraq, appears part of an effort to assert more direct White House control over how Washington coordinates its efforts to fight terrorism, develop political structures and encourage economic development in the two countries.

It comes at a time when surveys show Americans are less confident of Mr. Bush's foreign policy skills than at any time since the terrorist attacks two years ago. At the same time, Congress is using President Bush's request for $87 billion to question the administration's failure to anticipate the violence in Iraq and the obstacles to reconstruction.

"This puts accountability right into the White House," a senior administration official said.

The reorganization was described in a confidential memorandum that Ms. Rice sent Thursday to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, and the director of central intelligence, George J. Tenet.

Asked about the memorandum on Sunday, Ms. Rice called it "a recognition by everyone that we are in a different phase now" that Congress is considering Mr. Bush's request for $20 billion for reconstruction and $67 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. She said it was devised by herself, Vice President Dick Cheney, Mr. Powell and Mr. Rumsfeld in response to discussions she held with Mr. Bush at his ranch in late August. (full story)

Because no one has their shit in order and can clean up a mess . . . like Condi "I really don't remember" Rice.

"This puts accountability right into the White House". But the administration's been running the show right from the outset; this statement makes me wonder if Bush is trying to distance himself from responsibility for the mess he's made up to this point. Though hmm, I should be beyond the wondering stage on this one. Nevertheless, it's enough to warrant a shout of "party of personal responsibility!"

As Kevin points out, this is a tacit admission of failure for the State Department (Bremer), just as Bremer's appointment was a big 'no' to the Pentagon (Garner). So if Condi fails to unscrew the situation, then what? I fear a sudden resignation from the Weekly Standard by Bill Kristol and a call being made to the White House...