Let’s all remember also that Condi is quite an expert on bureaucracies and institutional change. Didn’t she do her thesis on that subject? Rick Ballard..excellent point about the deadwood! I’m sure Condi had mucho input.

As for the Saudis buying influence, I really don’t think it’s much more than an attempt to maintain the status quo (of which State is the prime example). On the other hand, some (certainly not all) of the Saudi influence has been to implant a tolerance of Islamist thought in America.

The Saudi royal family is divided itself on that issue, so attempting to discern an overarching principle of Saudi influence would lead to contradictions and confusion.

As for Wilson/Plame, an insight I’ve heard only from Hugh Hewitt (in an NRO article) is that whoever ‘outed’ Plame may very well end up being protected by Whistleblower laws. Shining a light on Plame’s actions. Now wouldn’t that be sweet.