The Contemporary Presidency: Condoleezza Rice as NSC Advisor: A Case Study of the Honest Broker Role

Abstract

“We need to plan as if things won’t go well.” —George W. Bush, September 25, 2001 (Woodward 2002, 136) “I want to know what the options are. A president cannot decide and make rational decisions unless I understand the feasibility of that which may have to happen.” —George W. Bush, circa late November 2001 (Woodward 2004, 30) “If we don’t have a case to make, I won’t send in the troops.” —George W. Bush, January 6, 2003 (Woodward 2004, 256) The role of honest broker has often been seen as a contributor to effective presidential decision making. This article explores the broker role of National Security Council Advisor Condoleezza Rice during three crucial decision‐making episodes in George W. Bush's first term: (1) deliberations in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the decision to go to war in Afghanistan; (2) deliberations that led to the war in Iraq; and (3) deliberations concerning Iraq's postwar stabilization and reconstruction. The article finds that the broker role declined over time. This decline does not appear to be linked to other roles of the NSC advisor such as policy advocacy, but it does appear to be affected by problems of organization and management as well as its fit with presidential expectations and support of the broker role.