As a Canadian and a former US resident, I would have to agree that the current administration has not been outstanding when it comes to leadership and communicating among themselves and with the public in general. Part of the problem may be as you describe as lack of quality talent. The other may be lack of experience in the real world. NSA Condi Rice has excellent academic credentials but this is her first job in a pressure filled political position. She is bound to make mistakes as she gives advice that could appear and sound logical in the academic world but would be pure disaster in the real world. The President needs to listen equally to others such as Kissinger and Brezinsky who have had long experience serving in previous administrations and other proven experts in the Vietnam war and other conflicts. Mistakes made at the highest level are magnified and could prove very costly in human lives. Hopefully, GW makes the right decision.