Condoleeza Rice

So today is Condi Rice's return engagement with the 9/11 Commission. All three major networks and PBS are pre-empting their regular programming to carry the spectacle live. Why? They haven't done this for any other testimony. Clearly, the networks are hoping to catch Ms. Rice in a stumble, which they hope to over-analyze and repeat endlessly. My bet? Condoleeza Rice will demonstrate emphatically why this President and his administration should be returned to office.

Watch the news on this one. How much is really devoted to Ms. Rices's words, and how much is devoted to re-broadcasting pompous, self-absorbant questioning from the commission? The answer to that question will tell you if this is a fact-finding mission or a political photo-op.