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Condoleezza Rice Undergoes Brain Removal Surgery
Secretary of State nominee Condoleezza Rice had a large portion of her brain removed over the weekend in a risky six-hour surgery performed by a team of neurosurgeons at the Navy's Bethesda Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland.
White House spokesman Ted Shackleford, in response to inquiries, described the operation as a "precautionary measure" to prepare her for her duties as Secretary of State.
When asked to elaborate, Shackleford explained, "We let Colin [Powell] slip by without the surgery because he had served the President's father well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The president had believed that Colin would continue to faithfully serve the Rei...ur, the Administration.
"We never anticipated that he would, you know, start thinking and getting soft and stuff. With this surgery behind her, the President can continue to press his agenda with full confidence that Secretary Rice is solidly in his corner."
When caught by the press corps as he departed Air Force One on return from Camp David, the President said "I understand that the surgery was a complete success and that Condoleezza will be back on duty early next week. Laura and I will pray that she makes a full and speedy recoveration."
A White House source, who asked not to be identified, reported that similar surgery for Attorney General nominee Alberto Gonzales was being delayed, as the President and Vice President debated with surgeons over how much residual brain matter would be required in order for Gonzales to properly discharge his duties.
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