In news from Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell has resigned and President Bush is expected to nominate National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice to fill the position as early as today. The move is expected to make the Bush administration more hawkish and hardline. One of the chief neoconservative leaders of the nation, Gary Schmitt of the Project For the New American Century praised the selection of Rice. Schmitt told the Washington Post “Condi knows what the president wants to accomplish and agrees with it.” The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, told CNN last night that Powell was the “voice of moderation” in the Bush administration. While Powell’s resignation was expected the Washington Post is reporting that Powell considered staying and had prepared a list of conditions under which he would be willing to stay. The list included “greater engagement with Iran and a harder line with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.” The Washington Post reports Powell was not asked to stay on board after he distributed his conditions for staying. Like Alberto Gonzalez who has been tapped to serve as Attorney General, Rice is seen as extremely loyal to President Bush. The Bush administration is expected to nominate Rice’s deputy Stephen Hadley to become the country’s new National Security Advisor.

Three Other Cabinet Members Resign
In addition to Powell, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham all announced their resignations yesterday.