Posted on 12/01/2016 10:31:40 AM PST by SeekAndFind
For all the ink spilled about this week's buzzy dinner between Donald Trump and Mitt Romney, another little get-together is almost as intriguing. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sat down with Vice President-elect Mike Pence Wednesday evening, with word of the meeting breaking on Twitter yesterday afternoon. Keep in mind that Sean Spicer is one of the honchos at the RNC, and is very close with soon-to-be White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. Someone wanted this information injected into the media bloodstream:
Vice President-Elect Mike Pence will meet with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington, D.C. today, @seanspicer says— Arlette Saenz (@ArletteSaenz) November 30, 2016
Allahpundit mulls over a few 'maybes' at Hot Air. Maybe it was purely a courtesy visit, in which Pence simply wanted to seek advice on the transition and/or foreign policy from a smart woman with deep experience. Maybe it was a temperature check to see if Rice has any appetite whatsoever to leave her comfortable perch out west and re-enter public service. She's reportedly been burned out on politics for some time, but that didn't stop her from attending the 2012 Republican National Convention and delivering a stirring address that brought the house down. Might she be open to filling an important role within the administration? She's a patriot, and her resume is exceptionally impressive. Perhaps that was on the agenda. Or maybe this was the latest, savvy round of Team Trump making a public, good-faith show of working to heal wounds from a bloody campaign that witnessed unusually intense fissures within the party (even as the vast, vast majority of Republicans "came home" to Trump in the end). Nevertheless, remember this?
Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw. As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.
That was Rice's Facebook post in the wake of the infamous Access Hollywood audio tape being released, an October surprise that rocked the campaign. That was the last straw for her. But now he's going to be the president. Radio host Buck Sexton said yesterday that in order for the entire GOP to coalesce during the Trump years, two 'Rs' will be essential: Reconciliation and results. Making it clear that people like Rice and Romney are still respected figures within the party, who will have the administration's ear, is at the very least a positive reconciliatory gesture. It sends a signal not only to the individual leaders being beckoned in from the cold, but also to the substantial number of right-leaning voters who'd side with Rice and Romney over Trump every day of the week: President Trump, despite his reputation and all the theatrics, will lead the entire party, not just its Trumpian wing. Even if nothing else comes of Pence's conversation with Condi, just having that discussion -- in person, and with the public's awareness -- strikes me as another positive step. I'll leave you with some excerpts from this CNN piece detailing how intimately involved and influential Mike Pence has been in the formation of the incoming administration. If you're a movement conservative, you're very pleased by many of these details:
Trump's choices so far have reflected Pence's politics -- potentially proving helpful on Capitol Hill, where the Indiana governor and former House Republican leader has long been expected to help Trump most. Pence's devotion to conservative principles -- and his relationships with powerful groups, including the Heritage Foundation -- have allowed him to help Trump navigate a Washington terrain that is unfamiliar to the billionaire business mogul who just ran his first campaign for any office...Trump advisers have consistently said that Pence and Trump consult regularly and that mutual respect was put on display when Trump elevated Pence in his world -- giving him the reins of the transition operation from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. In an immediate display of power, Pence ejected the lobbyists who had made up the team assembled by Christie -- turning the transition effort on its head and further strengthening Pence's role in forming the President-elect's team...As Pence did a victory lap in the Capitol two weeks ago, he sat for an extensive meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan in the speaker's office -- just a few yards outside the House chamber. In the middle of the meeting, Rep. Mike Pompeo joined them -- sitting with the two for 20 minutes. Pompeo refused to say what they talked about in the meeting. But aides have noted Pompeo helped Pence on national security-related issues in his debate preparations. And less than 24 hours after the meeting, Trump announced Pompeo was his selection for CIA chief.
It's still the Trump Show, but Pence's role appears to be invaluable so far -- the latest dividends from Trump's good decision to put him on the ticket.
Maybe he is tapping her for info or maybe he is just tapping her?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9nLBu7WAk
Condi’s dream job is being NFL Commissioner.
Just Donald about to deliver on something he gave a nod to on the trail.
I do not want to see Rice in any position where she could advocate for another war. Oops, sorry. I meant for another kinetic nation-building action.
he is a populist, not a conservative IMO
We wanted Trump to break the establishment but he is reaching out to them.
Let’s just hope he stays to the right of center.
It is obvious what the meeting was all about. Trump wants to learn more about the SoS job itself so he can evaluate his finalists. He is probably talking to other former SoS also.
No Rice! No Romney! (I agree)
come on people....we knew Trump was out there.....different...head strong....we voted for him because of that....
let him pick whom he wants.....
Condi is just fine with me....
Maybe discussing the final rankings for college football teams.
It is unrealistic to read too much into these visits.
I think many of them are mere consultations for advice. Asking of various people, for input in the process. No more than that.
He is probably talking to other former SoS also.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hillary?
Tainted by Bush.
RUSSIA.
No one is much more specialized on historic Russia and experienced with PUTIN.
I like Condi, as well. But, you’re right: She is not much of a conservative.
Rice is hot! Her problem is the connection with the Bush Klan.
At this point, I have absolute faith in Trump and his choices. We should judge him by his outcomes regardless of the tools he uses to achieve them.
My own choice would be no Romney and Bolton instead. Even Rice would be better than Romney. The Romneys are a family of snakes.
I agree. She has served the Country well and the world and the US were safer then then now.
Trump is smart to gather an much information as possible then decide what’s best.
In the end he will do what’s right and do it better than Hillary.
yeah right. :-)
I really want to see her as the next commissioner of the NFL once Goodell rides off. $30M salary sure beats a government one.
I agree. The Russia connection may well be the purpose of this visit. Russia as an ally could be a Trump administration goal.
He was trying to hire a pianist for his family’s Christmas get together???
I think you're right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.