President Bush plans to nominate National security adviser Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State as early as today, according to news reports.

Rice would replace Colin Powell, who announced his resignation on Monday after a meeting with Bush on Friday. She would be the first African-American woman to head the State Department. He was the first African-American male in the post.

Rice's appointment signals an intent by the White House to exert greater control over the executive agencies, observers said. As part of Bush's inner circle, Rice agrees with the president on foreign policy, an area where Powell clashed with other Cabinet members, like Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Rice is the third White House aide to move to an agency. Counsel Alberto Gonzales is being tapped as Attorney General, the first Hispanic, and domestic policy adviser Margaret Spellings is headed to the Education Department.

Get the Story:
Bush to Name Rice Secretary of State (The Washington Post 11/16)
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Rice to Move From Behind the Scenes to Stage Front (The New York Times 11/16)
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