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.
Its Hillary's primary to lose. I sincerely mean that. She will bring alot of star power and the GOP is going to have to counter with some star power of their own. (Can you imagine the fawning press over Hillary? If you thought it was bas the last election...) The only three right now are Condi, McCain, and Rudy. For many conservatives, a choice like Rudy will be hard. While they like the guy, he just is too liberal on social issues. McCain actually has a decent conservative history, but Condi we are unsure of because she was never in a position where here personal views were vetted.
As for me, all I need to do is look at the picture of armed troopers pointing a gun at Elian Gonzalez and the fisherman and delivering him back into the arms of the murderer/dictator Castro - and I know I will vote Republican almost no matter what.
Hillary, on the bright side, will bring in tons campaign cash for the GOP.
i'd vote 4 condi.
W could name his successor, imho, and it would carry one hell of a lot of weight.
Let's see.....
Pro-choice...no elected office experience...no legislative experience...a globalist at heart...and now has Dick Morris' approval.
Yeah...let's crown her the GOP nominee for 2008.
Pushing Bush's agenda to the world does not consititute presidential material. And if Hillary is the opponent she is not going to win NYC, Detroit or LA, contrary to the smoke being blown here.
Let her be the best SoS she can and when W's term is up she can go back into the private sector and talk about her reluctant pro-choice position or how the US should work to be part of a larger global community.
I agree. She's the right person for the job for oh so many reasons... but she's not the right candidate for the job at this time.
Perhaps after serving a term (or HOPEFULLY two) as VP. At that point who in the media could argue that she was any less qualified for the job of President than, oh, say Al Gore or John Kerry. While they both had legislative experience (doing WHAT exactly, who knows) neither would represent the depth of foreign policy, domestic policy and executive experience that Condi would have by that point.
That coupled with the likelihood that a few more deep south NASCAR Republicans would be able to handle the idea of a black female President after eight years of Condi as VP point to 2012/2016 as a more likely target. Unfortunate, but true.
My vote and my volunteer time are hers anytime she steps up for it. However, I believe that the question is moot...I think she'd honestly rather have Paul Tagliabue's job.
Another plus for me is the absolute devastation that would be inflicted upon the Democratic party if the first *black* *female* president came from the GOP.
They would literally eat themselves alive.
Bones
All that said, I ask you – who in their right mind would ever let Bill Clinton near the White House again in any capacity? Not clear thinking Americans red or blue!
condi for president...
"That coupled with the likelihood that a few more deep south NASCAR Republicans would be able to handle the idea of a black female President after eight years of Condi as VP point to 2012/2016 as a more likely target. Unfortunate, but true."
It's a valid point, but I think you underestimate them a little. I think a whole lot of them would go for Condi right from the jump. That means '08.
If given the choice between her and HILLARY? I'm sure they'll come out and support the party, even if they are a bit uncomfortable. (which I really dont think they'll be)
We have to think of this situation like it is. It wont be a run of the mill campaign, it's very likely that we may be running against Hillary in 2008. This will create very special circumstances, and I personally think Dr. Rice is the answer to that. The reason I think that is because she could neutralize key advantages that Hillary would have and has huge advantages of her own.
Bones
God Bless Condi for Shining Bright where
Hillary Rodham chooses to slither in the dark.
No wonder Hillary fainted....
"And going down in history as the vice-president forced from office so someone else can run for president.
You seem incapable of seeing such an action by the VP as being anything other than "forced". Perhaps your personal experience in enjoying the "emotional benefits" of altering one's life for the greater good of others limits your ability to conceptualize to only those things that are purely logical (Perhaps, Non-Sequitur, you are really "Mr. Spock" of the Starship Enterprise?) My original post did not use that term and if he felt "forced" he shouldn't do it.
Despite all of the fascination with her possiblities as a candidate, the truth is she has NEVER run for an elective office. She is not, and never has been, and apparantly has never aspired to be a political animal. She is a policy wonk. That is it.
I am not saying she is not electable, or I would not vote for her, what I am saying is that there is nothing about her that indicates that she is inclined in that direction.
So please, for the love of all that is good and holy, please stop this incessant fantasizing. It doesn't do anyone any good.
Condi is not going to run in '08! Get over it!
"which indicates he(Morris) is just making it up as he goes along"...just how is this any different from Dan Rather or Peter Jennings or the CNN crew?
Who are you quoting? I didn't say that. Are you agreeing with my point or something else?
Hill's grinding more than her teeth!
"Who else could we run against The Mad Shrill?"
How about a real conservative? Why are our only options RINOs?
I thought we already had drafted her.
I will be interested in how she answers pro-life questions (which I'm sure will be addressed to her if she even looks like she's thinking of running).
I've been convinced that some of the people who say they wouldn't seek to overturn Roe might mean that they would rather see some other solution than a SC or other judicial resolution to abortion on demand. I can hope, anyway.
How much public experience did GWB have before he ran for Texas governor? None! But he still won.
Condi would get the black vote, the women's vote and the Republican's vote (most of them anyway). How could she lose?
Thanks for that link. I hadn't read those words in connection with Secretary Rice. Perhaps she's had a change of heart in the last 4 or 5 years. Or could in the next 3.
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