There. That's better.
Posted on 03/02/2005 8:01:42 PM PST by Space Cruiser
Dick Morris: US is ready for an Iron Lady
11feb05
AS she toured Europe this week, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was like a rock star - her every movement, her every meeting covered by an adoring media.
The first black female US secretary of state is doing in public what she has always done in private - speaking frankly about her nation's priorities and the realities of the post-Cold War world. As she jokes with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, loosening up his dogmatic anti-US policies, lectures Russia about freedom and warns Israel of tough decisions ahead, one thing is obvious: A star is being born.
Travelling 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 US politics. As the Republican Party casts about for a viable presidential candidate in 2008 to keep Democratic senator Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the White House, attention will inevitably focus on Rice, the woman who may stand between Clinton and the presidency.
Like the Conservative Party in Britain when it named Margaret Thatcher as its leader in 1975, the GOP can break new ground. Rice is America's Thatcher. Like the Iron Lady, the US secretary of state fiercely believes in freedom and democracy. And since George W. Bush's success in Iraq has laid the basis for negotiations in the Middle East, there is every prospect that Rice may preside over a diplomatic triumph in catalysing discussions between Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas. The firm US stand in Iraq will also make more likely success in North Korea and Iran, all of which would add to Rice's stature.
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 per cent of his vote from three groups that, together, account for about one-third of the US electorate: African-Americans, Hispanics and single white women. Rice would cut deeply into any Democratic margin among these three groups and would 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 a former provost of Stanford University, she would have much in common with the pre-politics careers of Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower, presidents of Princeton and Columbia universities. Her service as national security adviser during a war and her present efforts as Secretary of State demonstrate her ability to handle crises and to conduct herself effectively and with dignity 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 Giuliani and senator John McCain -- either of whom could probably win the presidential election in 2008 -- she would be very attractive to the pro-life, anti-gun-control, anti-affirmative-action base of the GOP during the Republican primaries.
The US longs to put the period on the disgraceful chapter in the nation's history that began when the first slave arrived at Jamestown, Virginia, more than 400 years ago. And a message should be sent 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 Rice is sworn in as president, regardless of the fate of her administration, that message and the punctuation of America's history of racism will be obvious.
Of course, she isn't running nor is there any indication that she is harbouring thoughts of a candidacy. But as her visibility increases, so will her viability. It may just be possible to draft Rice 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.
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 favour 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.
Dick Morris, a Fox News political analyst and former senior adviser to Bill Clinton, is author, most recently, of Rewriting History (HarperCollins, 2004), a rebuttal of Hillary Clinton's Living History.
Is Dick a Dick? Who let the pen of bulls/women out?
Sadly, Dick Morris is a counter-indicator. Back in 1996, I began expecting the exact opposite of everything Dick said. It's proven a pretty good prediction technique.
Too bad... we don't know enough about Condi's political views to vote for her
I thought his latest book Perfect Storm was about her and bill running and how evil they were, and suddenly different now? Why does everyone want a woman president? What's going on here? What handout did I not get?
first of all, this notion that Condoleezza Rice is very conservative is nonsense. She is pro-choice and pro-affirmative action and any comparison of her to Margaret Thatcher is totally ridiculous.
secondly, anyone who takes dick morris serious needs help.
just my humble opinion.
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RICE = IRON LADY
HILLARY = IRON HEART
STALIN = IRON HEART in Action
.
I know Rice's position on abortion. I don't care. You might as well dump Winston Churchill because he was a chauvanist pig. As President, Rice will have little to no influence on Roe V Wade [even Bush can't get his nominees out of commitee].
The next decade is going to be about the GWOT, nuclear proliferation, emerging democracies, China - not abortion. Foreign Policy.
Take a closer look at Rice as a nominee. Also consider how roughly "President Hillary Clinton" will roll off the tongue for 8 years.
There's plenty of time.
I would vote for Condolezza Rice if she were nominated, but I don't think she can win, so I am not going to vote for her in the primary. I think she'd be good as a VP choice.
For a minute, I thought he was sucking up to Hillary again -- ever in search of those consulting checks.
I'm with you.... I wouldn't mind having Condi as the Commander in Chief. She's smart, tough, and came up the hard way, by earning it. Hail to the new chief!
I've heard from folks that she is on one hand pro life and from other sources, pro choice. I DO know she is pro-gun. She speaks seven languages. She is sooo much smarter than Hitlery it is not funny. I'd pay money to watch Condi debate either one of the Clintons, although Hillary is much more dangerous than her hubby. More disciplined, far more ambitious. Still, IMHO Condi would blow Hillary out of the water post haste.
Know HOW she became a Republican? When she was a kid, her daddy went down to register to vote in the rural south. The RATS (the KKK still going strong and led by them) just turned up their noses....while at the next table the Republicans (who had recently passed the Voting Rights Acts) not only told her daddy that they would register him as a Republican they were EAGER for his participation. Condi saw it all.
Condi is prochoice and will not survive the primaries.
I have heard the great story about how she became a Republican
"Condi is prochoice and will not survive the primaries."
I totally disagree and am willing to volunteer for her campaign to prove it. :)
Source?
There are rules, gentlemen.
There. That's better.
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