..Condi...one classy lady
Posted on 04/05/2006 4:29:38 AM PDT by CheyennePress
LONDON: When it came time to grab a few hours' rest before landing on a secret mission in Baghdad last weekend, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisted that British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw take the bed in her aircraft's private cabin.
Mr Straw was horrified when he woke to find that Dr Rice, one of the world's most powerful women, had slept on the floor so her guest was more comfortable.
What one British newspaper called Bedgate reflects a growing friendship between the two and their bid to work more closely on issues such as Iran, Iraq and the Middle East. But that personal chemistry did not always win over others in five days of diplomatic bonding that took the top diplomats to Mr Straw's home town of Blackburn and then to Iraq.
In Blackburn, anti-war demonstrators were waiting at each stop to protest against the US-led invasion of Iraq, where the US still has 130,000 troops and Britain 8000.
While small in number, the protesters stole the spotlight from what was intended to show the special relationship between the US and Britain, mirroring a visit by Mr Straw to Dr Rice's home state of Alabama last year.
Mr Straw joked at their final news conference in Blackburn that he could have done a better job organising the protests, to which Dr Rice replied: "I'm glad you didn't."
The aim of the Blackburn trip was to show Dr Rice a part of England beyond the corridors of power in London. But while the couple visited a school, attended a concert and toured the stadium of Mr Straw's favourite football team, their staff were putting together a joint trip to Baghdad.
They slipped away from a party in Liverpool, where Dr Rice was officially meant to be spending the night, and flew to Baghdad to try to prod Iraqi leaders to form a national unity government.
US-based reporters travelling with Dr Rice were sworn to secrecy until both ministers were safely in the international Green Zone in Baghdad on Sunday for the two-day visit.
They came away from meetings with Iraqi leaders without a deal but said they had made their case that patience was running thin and that Britain and the US were losing political capital at home from the delays.
The mood was jocular between the two, particularly in Blackburn, and the only publicly aired difference was on issues of gender when Mr Straw referred to future male leaders of Iraq.
"Whether it's Mr A, Mr B or Mr C ..." he said at a Baghdad news conference, referring to a future prime minister of Iraq. Unaware that Dr Rice was smiling and raising her eyebrows, he dug a deeper hole for himself, continuing: "... we've got to be able to deal with Mr A, Mr B or Mr C.
"Jack, I'm sure we would be all right with Miss A, B or C, too," chipped in Dr Rice. Mr Straw quickly replied: "I was not being gender specific, just reaffirming the realities on the ground. Don't report me, please."
Just contrast her behavior with McKinney's.
Did anyone see Straw getting off the plane with Condi while wearing a ridiculous looking helmet a la Dukakis? He whipped it off as soon as he saw the cameras. Very funny.
The lady has class.
Hmmm, is the reporter suggesting there's more to this friendship?
Condi for Prez
Condi - pure class. Straw??? well...
Leni
Dr. Rice is a Southerner. Company comes first, ya know. This is NOT a race thing.
Ok, Leni, joke taken. But still, it is truly the sign of her personal greatness that she would be willing to forego her own comfort for anyone else, regardless of who that might be. A very, very rare trait for anyone as powerful as Dr. Rice is; we should let it be taken for exactly what it is - real graciousness. Her enemies will no doubt use it it slander and demean her as a GOP puppet/plantation slave, whatever - we should keep it as something that reveals her true character.
Draft Condi '08!
...but for her willingness to sellout Israel.
That was my thought as well. What is Mr. Straw's marital status at this time? Hmm?
Didn't Mr. Straw ask Dr. Rice where she was going to sleep before taking her bed?
I was thinking exactly the same thing. I am from the DC area but all the older generation of my family were born and raised in North Carolina, and you bet that is what all of us would have done. My kids have had the graciousness of southerners passed down to them as well.
Secretary Rice Shares Her Bed...
..Condi...one classy lady
http://newsmax.com/images/headlines/Bush_Rice2.jpg
Oh yeh, ............. if you love her (as I do)...... post THIS!!!
*****
Gotta love that picture of Condi (and her boss).
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