2008 Run, Abortion Engage Her Politically [Condi Rice]

Washington Times ^ | Friday, March 11, 2005 | Bill Sammon

[West Coast Conservative]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday pointedly declined to rule out running for president in 2008, and gave her most detailed explanation of a "mildly pro-choice" stance on abortion.

In an interview with editors and reporters in the office of the editor in chief at The Washington Times, she said she would not want the government "forcing its views" on abortion.

She seemed bemused by speculation that a Rice candidacy could set up an unprecedented all-woman matchup with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat, who is widely expected to seek the presidency.

"I never wanted to run for anything — I don't think I even ran for class anything when I was in school," she said. "I'm going to try to be a really good secretary of state; I'm going to work really hard at it.

"I have enormous respect for people who do run for office. It's really hard for me to imagine myself in that role."

She was then pressed on whether she would rule out a White House bid by reprising Gen. William T. Sherman's 1884 declaration: "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."

"Well, that's not fair," she protested with a chuckle. "The last thing I can — I really can't imagine it."

Several Republicans have floated the idea of a Rice candidacy to counter Mrs. Clinton's prospects, especially since several Republican officials with national prominence, including Vice President Dick Cheney and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, have ruled out pursuing the party's 2008 nomination.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani are often mentioned as prospective candidates ...

[West Coast Conservative]

Here's what she said about abortion:

Miss Rice said abortion should be "as rare a circumstance as possible," although without excessive government intervention. "We should not have the federal government in a position where it is forcing its views on one side or the other.

"So, for instance, I've tended to agree with those who do not favor federal funding for abortion, because I believe that those who hold a strong moral view on the other side should not be forced to fund it."

Describing pro-lifers as "the other side" is one of the ways Miss Rice articulates her position as a "mildly pro-choice" Republican. She explained that she is "in effect kind of libertarian on this issue," adding: "I have been concerned about a government role.

"I am a strong proponent of parental notification. I am a strong proponent of a ban on late-term abortion. These are all things that I think unite people and I think that that's where we should be.

"We ought to have a culture that says, 'Who wants to have an abortion? Who wants to see a daughter or a friend or a sibling go through something like that?'

[Mo1]

FYI

[Eireann go Brach]

Any type of pro-choice probably won't fly for a Repub nomination for Pres or VP.

Lucky we don't have such issues in Ireland besides the occasional nutcase that wants to challenge the laws.

[Run Silent Run Deep]

She'll do. (When compared to the Beast!)

[ElkGroveDan]

gave her most detailed explanation of a "mildly pro-choice" stance on abortion.

I see. I wonder if her stance then leaves the babies only "mildly" dead?

[bahblahbah]

"We should not have the federal government in a position where it is forcing its views on one side or the other"

That sounds like she would be for overturning Roe vs Wade. I doubt she'd ever say that much though.

[RangerM]

I'll take her over any Dem that I know of.

[swissmiss]

I'd like to see her in a cage match against Hillary.

[Darkwolf377]

You are correct.

If it's Condi vs. HRC, I imagine there will be enough Republicans who will sulk and sit on their hands and let HRC win. And I will spend four years blaming them for getting that pro-abortion witch into power.

[dr_who_2]

Cultural conservatives should not panic. They will make their views felt in 2008 regardless unless no other Republicans step up to the plate for that election year. Condi will improve her chances greatly if she explains her position, although specifics don't always seem to be her strong point. Good luck to her, though.

[mikeus_maximus]

"she said she would not want the government "forcing its views" on abortion."

If she thinks the gov't should not protect innocent life, I wonder what she thinks gov't is for.

Either way, she just killed her chances. The base won't turn out for her, just to oppose another "pro-choice" candidate who happens to be a Democrat.

The GOP had better come up with a viable candidate by 2008, or I'm outta here.

[Run Silent Run Deep]

We can sing her praises and pray.

[RangerM]

Based on what I know of/seen of her (Condi), I'd say she's almost too smart to want the job.

I'd love to see a Condi vs. Hillary race. Condi has the supreme advantage, intellectually. Hillary is only good at "canned" statements. If she has to think on her feet, Condi will eat her alive in a debate.

Lord knows the MSM has started filling the airwaves with "Hillary 2008". I used to think that it would be good if the Republicans had someone getting a similar amount of free press, but I suspect that so much coverage, so far ahead of the 2008 campaign, could backfire. After all, if you keep covering someone, sooner or later he/she will gaff and the press will be right there to cover it. Although I tend to agree with the left tilt of the press, I also know that as a business, they are intended to make money and don't want to be "scooped" by Drudge again.

[Norman Bates]

Forget it. We need committed conservatives, not centrist style politics. After haveing come so far, are we Republicans losing our moral compass?

President Reagan once said that a great candidate is chosen by the people, not chosen by himself or herself, to run. Let's choose a conservative who is pro-family, pro-values, pro-defense, and a true blue American whom we can trust. I feel Dan Quayle is such a conservative American - one who believes in America and who will carry on the Republican Revolution of President Ronald Reagan. Believe that this bird can fly again! Please contact Dan with your support:

[ http://www.vicepresidentdanquayle.com/ ]

[Reagan Man]

>>>>She explained that she is "in effect kind of libertarian on this issue,"...

Hmmm. Libertarian?! Poor choice of words.

>>>> ... is one of the ways Miss Rice articulates her position as a "mildly pro-choice" Republican.

If this means Dr.Rice supports abortion in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is in jeopardy, then she is opposed to 95% of all abortions. I think most conservatives would have no problem with that position on the abortion issue.

OTOH. Dr.Rice would be wise to consider building her political resume one step at a time. Maybe running for governor or Congresscritter. She isn't POTUS material. Yet.

[Darkwolf377]

I think that's the best approach. She sure doesn't sound like someone who's "unturnable" if you get my drift.

[Soul Seeker]

IMO, sounds as though she's advocating a return to state rights. The way it was before the court overstepped its authority.

That isn't an objectionable position. That is what I am aiming towards.

I don't wish the Court nor Government to legislate the issue. The people should determine their feelings on the matter. Giving people back the right to vote at the ballot box is the first step.

I think we'll eventually win the battle if people are allowed to vote their conscience.

[no dems]

My views exactly. I could live with Condi if the alternate choice was Hillary. I still rue the day that I voted for Ross Perot in '92 and was one of those who helped give us William Jefferson Clinton for 8 years. I'll never cast a protest vote again.

[Norman Bates]

"And I will spend four years blaming them for getting that pro-abortion witch into power."

With all due respect, you will have no one ot blame but the candidate who lost. People are allowed to make up their own minds and vote or not vote for who they please.

[section9]

I don't get the Condi hate from some of the Ultras.

She's with the Pro-Life community on MOST of the points.

1. Against Federal Funding, saying that pro-life people shouldn't have to fund something they are morally opposed to.

2. For parental notification.

3. With Bush on a ban on Partial Birth.

Folks, this woman is a Second Amendment absolutist. What kind of judges do you think she will appoint?

Roe v. Wade allowed everything to which Rice is opposed. The only thing I see her opposing is a Human Life Amendment itself. Then again, that was never a serious attempt at an amendment, anyway. Reagan knew that it would never pass the Democratic Senate.

This stance is defensible in a nomination fight. She's also laying this out NOW so it can be developed as a coherent approach to the Life issue as time goes by. She clearly wants to align herself with the President as closely as possible without trying to cynically flip flop from her 1999 position of being "mildly" pro-choice.

Now compare her to Hillary. Hillary is married to Roe. Period. Hillary has Emily's list written all over her.

Be Seeing You,

Chris