Democrats, the War and Shays's Rebellion

The presence of such friends must have emboldened Rice, for she saw little need to respond to Democrats' queries.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Did Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki obstruct a corruption investigation? "There are concerns about the exposure of sources," Rice demurred. How about Maliki's order that his ministers cannot be investigated for corruption? "I don't know what precisely you're referring to." Is corruption in Iraq better or worse? "I really would be reluctant to make such a broad statement."

Rice even made sure to tweak Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform -- twice -- for his infrequent travel to Iraq. "I don't know when you were last in Iraq," she noted.

"I was there a couple of years ago, and I'll be happy to go again," Waxman replied.

Perhaps Shays will escort Waxman. "I've been to Iraq 18 times," he announced early in his questioning of Rice.

While other lawmakers each got five minutes to question Rice, Shays managed to grab three turns. When he wasn't speaking or raising his hand to speak, he was coaching four GOP colleagues before their questioning time.

Shays lobbed the softest of questions at the secretary. "Tell me what would be gained," he asked, referring to the Democrats' questions, from "a frontal assault against the prime minister."

"Well, I see nothing that could be gained from a frontal assault," Rice replied.

Shays condemned a House Democratic leader for saying that "if the Iraqi war went well it would be bad for Democrats." He said Democrats' impertinence "blows me away." As for Rice's refusal to answer questions, Shays said, "I'm happy that you have resisted."

Shays even defended the maligned Blackwater security firm when Democrats questioned Rice about a drunken Blackwater employee who killed a security guard for an Iraqi vice president inside the Green Zone.

"I'd like to point out that there appears to have been no witnesses," he argued.

"What Mr. Shays said to you is actually correct," Rice agreed.

Enough said? Not quite. When Waxman tried to shorten lawmakers' questioning time, Shays said it was "not acceptable."

"Mr. Shays has talked three times," the chairman pointed out.

Shays got more time. And when the hearing finally ended, he hurried to intercept Rice and gave her a hug. The secretary clasped his hand tenderly as she departed.