Posted on 02/09/2005 5:28:52 AM PST by GaryL
As she tours the continent after her Senate confirmation, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is like a rock star — her every movement, her every meeting covered by an adoring media.
America’s first black female secretary of state is doing in public what she has always done in private — speaking frankly about America’s priorities and the realities of the post-Cold War world. As she jokes with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, loosening up his dogmatic anti-American policies, lectures Russia about freedom and warns Israel of tough decisions ahead, one thing is obvious: A star is being born.
Traveling without the entourage customary for secretaries of state, on time, mapping out in advance her first six months of travel, Rice is a new force in American politics.
As the Republican Party casts about for a viable presidential candidate in 2008 to keep Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) out of the White House, attention will inevitably focus on Rice, the woman who may stand between Clinton and the presidency.
Since Bush’s success in Iraq has laid the basis for negotiation in the Middle East, there is every prospect that Rice may preside over a diplomatic triumph in catalyzing the discussions between Sharon and Abbas. The firm American stand in Iraq will also make more likely success in Korea and Iran, all of which would add to the prestige of Rice.
The political fact is that a Rice candidacy would destroy the electoral chances of the Democratic Party by undermining its demographic base. John Kerry got 54 percent of his vote from three groups that, together, account for about a third of the American electorate: African-Americans, Hispanics and single white women. Rice would cut deeply into any Democrat’s margin among these three groups and would, most especially, deny Clinton the strong support she would otherwise receive from each of them.
Rice’s credentials for a candidacy are extensive and will grow throughout her tenure at the State Department. As former chancellor of Stanford University, she would have much in common with the pre-political careers of Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower, presidents of Princeton and Columbia universities. Her service as national security adviser during a war and her current efforts as secretary of state demonstrate her ability to handle crises and to conduct herself with dignity and impact on the world stage.
As a social conservative and deeply religious person, she would face no bar in winning the votes of the Christian right, so crucial to winning the Republican nomination. Unlike former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani (R) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — both of whom could probably win in November — she would be very attractive to the pro-life, anti-gun-control, anti-affirmative-action base of the GOP.
America longs to put the period on the disgraceful chapter in our nation’s history that began when the first slave arrived at Jamestown, Va., more than 400 years ago. We also want to send a message to every girl, and every African-American or Hispanic baby, that there is no ceiling and that you can rise as far as your ability will carry you. The day Condi Rice is sworn in as president, regardless of the fate of her administration, that message and the punctuation of our history of racism will be obvious.
Of course, she isn’t running — nor is there any indication that she is harboring thoughts of a candidacy. But as her visibility increases, so will her viability. It may just be possible to draft Condi into the race. A real presidential draft movement hasn’t happened since 1952, when Republicans urged Eisenhower to get into the race. A draft-Condi movement seems almost antiquated in this era of ambitious and self-promoting candidates, but it may well fill a deep need in the electorate to vote for someone who is running in response to a genuine call of the people.
Condi Rice is a work in progress. Her rise has been impelled by her merits and achievements rather than any efforts on her part to curry favor in the media. She is still working and still progressing. But keep your eye on this political star. It is rising and may one day be ascendant.
Morris is the author of Rewriting History, a rebuttal of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) memoir, Living History.
I believe she has a mushy-middle position on Abortion, and has not declared one way or the other. It's not exactly a major consideration in her jobs, to date.
Condi is Great for 2008!
"Condi is my #1 choice for President."
Mine too. It is easier to think of a scenario where she wins than it is to think of one where she loses.
Who else could we run against The Mad Shrill?
Don't underestimate the whole novelty of the first female President of the United States, particularly as it pertains to many female voters.. especially swing voters. I think Condi is the only one who can help neutralize that effect.
I am all for having a female President, but not like Hillary! Jeepers H. Crackers!
Bones
Dick Morris is an authority on one subject only: The Clintons. As long as the Clintons are relevant, Dickie will be relevant. If the Clintons sink into obscurity, so sinks Dickie.
The only way anybody will listen to anything Dick Morris has to say is if Hillary! is a contender in 2008. If you read Morris' recent columns carefully, nobody is talking to him anymore. He no longer quotes specific sources or even un-named sources. Instead he relies on general "people are saying" or the even more distant "people might be saying" types of constructions, which indicates that he is just making it up as he goes along.
Not an issue - two years from now Cheney resigns, Condi becomes VP and concentrates on Domestic Issues.
Condi is Great for 2008!
Condi Rice favors abortion rights. In a television interview a couple of years ago, she was opining how she and GWB were nearly always in sync on foreign policy issues, but that they parted ways on the abortion issue, as she was "pro-choice" and he was pro-life. I was really disappointed when I heard that, as I truly admire her in all other areas.
I agree why in the world has Morris suddenly become the authority to speak for the GOP? This whole thing is ridiculous.
There are no guarantees that Condi would get the black vote or any other race for that matter. I would have to question Morris's agenda other than his hatred of the Clinton's. I really don't trust that guy.
4 years are a long time from now and a lot can happen to change everyone's opinions. I am still suspicious of Morris's desire for Condi to run for President. Maybe Rove should run.
Morris should be shunned by all. He was a sell-out when he worked for the Clintons and would peddle any line to advance himself. Why should we presume that he is any different today?
Dick Morris is all about the Clintons. One way to assure the Clintons remain the center of attention is to quote Dick Morris extensively.
Speaking from a woman's point of view I am not ready for a female President.........sorry.
And why would Cheney sit back and allow himself to be forced out of office?
Now compare that to Hillary's compendium of lies, mischaracterizations, marriage in name only, deceits, stock market kickbacks, record of nonachievement, winning a senatorial election through dubious presidential pardons, and a shrill, harpy like voice.......
Rose law firm anyone? ;-)
Hillary is one out of a giant committee of 100. Dr. Rice has a real resume to look back on, a record of achievement not based on a husband's coattails, and now, she is gaining international credentials that Hillary will never be able to get other then from some "fact finding" missions or "listening tours!" LOL!
It would be worth it for Dr. Rice to run just to hear their debates!
IMO Condi Rice would make an excellent Vice Presidential Candidate, but I can't think of a riskier move than putting her up against Hildebeast. OTOH, I don't want to see Guiliani or McCain either. We need a solid conservative without skeletons in the closet and liberal positions all over the place. And as far as McCain goes, we need a conservative who ACTS like a conservative 24/7/365. McCain switches it off too much for my tastes.
I just NEVER want to hear the klintoon name and POTUS in the same sentence ever again, without the word candidate thrown in there maybe. The thought of her in the White House makes me sick to my stomach.
No they would't.
A Rice candidacy would be Hillary's worst mightmare.
A brilliant and personable black woman who won't take s**t from anybody.
The GOP must put up a heavyweight superstar. Condi hasn't proved herself and would be a disaster unless she does.
No kidding. Two pro death candidates guarantee that a conservative third party ticket will take a chunk out of her votes... Even a paltry 5% defection of conservatives would be enough to torpedo a Rice RINO ticket. But hey they don't call the GOP the stupid party for nothing.
Who cares
The worst R will always be better than the best D
This may not have been true in the past but the past is long gone
That article is from 1999. Her position may or may not have evolved since then. Even then she was advocating a mushy middle position.
But abortion is not a deal-breaker for me, as it is for others. Your milage may vary. She is tough on national security, which puts her head and shoulders above anybody the Democrats could put up and most of the RINOs you could name.
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.