Bush picks Rice to replace Powell

By Deb Riechmann
The Associated Press

Condoleezza Rice is considered more of a hard-liner on foreign policy than Secretary of State Colin Powell, a moderate.

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"The secretary of state is America's face to the world and in Dr. Rice the world will see the strength, grace and decency of our country," Bush said of his national security adviser.

He thanked Powell, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security adviser, for working "tirelessly and selflessly" on behalf of the country.

Rice is the second White House loyalist to land a Cabinet post since Bush's re-election triggered a top-tier shake-up that has presented several agency heads with the clear impression that their services were no longer needed. White House counsel Alberto Gonzales is Bush's nominee to replace Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Bush named Stephen Hadley, Rice's deputy, to replace her as national security adviser, the top White House-based foreign policy adviser.

Rice, who is considered more of a foreign policy hard-liner than Powell, has been Bush's national security adviser for four years. But while she's known around the globe, her image on the world stage does not rival Powell's. The retired four-star general has higher popularity ratings than the president.

"Under your leadership, America is fighting and winning the war on terror," Rice said to her boss during the Roosevelt Room announcement. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first black woman secretary of state.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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