Secretary of State is 'testifying' right now before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on corruption in Iraq. The dynamic is exactly what it usually is, in these hearings. Rice herself seems averse to answering any question with a direct yes or no, even given ample time to modify the initial answer. Her standard lead-ins are "Well, let me first just say . . ." or "I would like first just to say . . .," etc, even in response to questions where a clear statement supporting the basic principle would serve her and even her administration better. But ...   more »