Rice and Boxer square off in hearing

by on January 18th, 2005

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20050118/pl_nm/bush_rice_dc

“We can have this discussion in any way that you would like, but I really hope that you will refrain from impugning my integrity,” Rice told Boxer. “I really hope that you will not imply that I take the truth lightly.”

The exchange was the most pointed in a hearing that included disagreements between Rice and Democrats on the numbers of trained Iraqi troops — the linchpin of the U.S. exit strategy — and the numbers of U.S. troops sent to stabilize Iraq.

Rice said she believed there were more than 120,000 trained Iraqi forces — acknowledging problems of absenteeism and desertion — but drew a quick rebuke from Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, who said he thought the number was closer to 4,000.

Etalkinghead Staff