How to succeed in Washington 101.

• Author: Peters, Charles
• Position: Tilting at Windmills - Frances Townsend - Brief Article

How does Frances Townsend get ahead? Since she joined Condoleezza Rice's staff in 2003, she has risen to direct both the counterterrorism and homeland security offices at the White House. Before that, her ascent to power as an aide to Janet Reno during the '90s had been equally rapid.

One of her colleagues, another Reno aide, tells The Washington Post that, "she was very 'well take care of it' in those meetings. She understands the principle that you say 'we'll take...