The speculation is harmless fun, but its way to soon to get serious about it.
FRegards.....
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.
ping
That is a flat-out lie. She came out against the U of Michigan affirmative action system.
Condi is pro-choice and pro affirmative action, but I would vote for her anyway. The Supreme Court has already pretty well took care of those issues for the unforseeable future.
That said, she should be the nominee only if her opponent on the far far left is Hillary. I do not think that the Democrats are suicidal enough to nominate Hillary - her negatives are too high, and her "move to the center campaign" is transparent and can be her undoing.
I don't think that 2008 will be the year of the woman nominee for either party....except possibly for VP.
Bottom line....Condi is still a potent force~
remove the emotion and it doesnt change the fact that rice was and is pro-choice and pro-affirmative action like colin powell.
if that isn't acceptable with you, i'm sorry
No one can explain to me why they think she cant win.... .I am curious about your answer?
Condi just needs a Belgrado moment
Assad & the Mullahs....be afraid....very afraid.
Why do people, "say Rice in '08"
when she has stated she will not run for any office in '08?
"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."
He's right and wrong because he changes his mind so often. But usually his final prediction ends up wrong so I guess he is a counter-indicator!
I dont get it either Tonk.The President is barely a month and a half into his present term.
Sit down Hillary, he said 'IRON', not 'Pig-Iron'.
The RATS told him that in order to register to vote, he'd have to count the number of marbles in a jar. He turned right around and registered Republican.
It would seem that any other Republican candidate is going to have a hard time taking Condi on because she inspires, rightfully so, tremendous admiration and loyalty. Elizabeth Dole in being both married and a woman diffuses some of that, but I don't know that she has the national security credentials. Senator Frist in being a physician who is able to succeed in completing difficult political operations also diffuses some of that advantage. But if Condi does the kind of job most think she can as Secretary of State, I would expect it to be hers to lose.
We all think of how George Bush or other political leaders have had their moments when it seemed they were going to be crushed politically and all was lost due to some exposed vulnerability, but they were able to reach down and pull it out. The question will be can she take that kind of often career-threatening, underhanded hit and roll with it?
I haven't seen any vulnerabilities in Condi, but being mortal they always have to be there. Politics can also be a dirty game; would Condi be able to make some of the compromises where one has to hold their nose to get the job done? Running for political office for the first time and that being the Presidency is a steep learning curve. If anyone can do it, Condi can. There is no question Hillary has the ability to deliver blows. It will take intellectual and emotional toughness to prevail.
I watched the CEO of Goldman Sachs talk about what it took to make it to the executive ranks there. One thing he stressed was that it was critical that managers, no matter how busy and driven, take time for themselves to develop a personal life and get married because that emotional support was essential not to burn out. He said no one in their senior executive ranks was not married for that very burnout reason. Given how far Condi has come, I hope she can take some time and find a way for that part of her life to reach completion for her own happiness sake as well. She's already carrying the burdens of the world on her shoulders. Plan for it to possibly go all 12 rounds.
bump
That is one scary woman.
The speculation is harmless fun, but its way to soon to get serious about it.
FRegards.....
Yeah, for the Democratic Party, because of his wife's politics. And he could be the savoir of the Democrats if he changes parties.
Here's your Iron Lady.
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