How would Joe Biden have done?

We'll never know, but it looks like Secretary of State Rice is having a successful first lap around the world in her new job. Not even La Monde is bad-mouthing her!

And she's embracing allies without apologies. Here's what she told the French:

In Afghanistan just a few months ago, men and women, once oppressed by the Taliban, walked miles, forded streams and stood hours in the snow just to cast a ballot for their first vote as a free people.

And just a few days ago in Iraq, millions of Iraqi men and women defied the terrorist threats and delivered a clarion call for freedom. Individual Iraqis risked their lives. One policeman threw his body on a suicide bomber to preserve the right of his fellow citizens to vote. They cast their free votes, and they began their nation's new history.

Now, though, tough talking may be needed. And that may not lead to smiles on the other side of the table.