I know that the FOXs of the world will put as nefarious a spin on this meeting as is possible. But in some ways doesn't it look somewhat better for Annan if he's seen to take on board suggestions from friends rather than be perceived as simply caving to WH pressure? The list of issues they brought up went significantly beyond getting along with Washington to how to position his final 2 years and deal with some of the internal management reform pieces you keep harping on. Saw that Malloch Brown is moving from running UNDP to Annan's Chief of Staff. As I've pointed out elsewhere, he has extremely good instincts, is an excellent communicator. He was very helpful for Wolfensohn at the Bank. He's made enormous strides in turning around UNDP's sense of purpose and external image. But it would be counterproductive if it were seen that Mark were put there because of the Bush folks. Same with other key appointments Annan needs to make right away. They can't be seen as quasi-Bush appointees. Give the press something to chew on rather than Kofi vs Condi -- who will win -- sort of story line they'll come up with otherwise? In any event, even if it was an unintentional-intentional leak, spun properly it can be used positively. BTW I don't think I agree with the Clemons point on having Repubs there. Any Repub would have been in an unenviable position -- there as a representative or as an individual? treated as a traitor if he didn't "report back," etc.