Posted on 09/22/2009 10:29:09 AM PDT by Lorianne
She's smart. She's experienced. She's worldly. Republican strategists worried about their party's future should take heed. ___ Successful candidates follow a simple fundamental rule: Define yourself before your opponent can define you. The Republican Party, which mustered a thumbs-up from only 38% of voters in last week's Bloomberg poll, sorely needs to brush up on the very rule it counsels in candidate-training sessions.
To skeptics in search of a political home, the GOP's image has devolved into that of a minority collection of name-calling, "no"-saying, backward-looking, talk-show bullying cranks -- a definition gleefully perpetuated by Democratic pols. So next time the eloquent and elegant figure of Condoleezza Rice strides onto a stage, GOP strategists worried about their party's future should pull out their notebooks.
I interviewed Rice onstage last week on the closing day of Fortune's Most Powerful Women's Summit, where she achieved a star-turn -- and did so while mounting a vigorous defense of former President Bush's oft-vilified foreign policy, and delivering a pointed critique of President Obama and congressional Democrats.
video embedded
"It's that simple," she declared, "if you want another terrorist attack in the U.S., abandon Afghanistan."
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
Welcome to (ad-free) Free Republic ;o)
She's an academic who found a home at State for, I think, the wrong reasons - she fit into that institution rather than reforming it. Brilliant woman, highly accomplished, and I'd love to spend some time picking her formidable brain. I like Condi a lot.
But I'm not sure her skill set is that of, say, a Reagan or Thatcher, nor is she necessarily as electable. She's single, for one thing - that's a rarity among American Presidents, James Buchanan being the only case. She'd have to make the case to family voters that she shares their interests and worldview, and frankly I doubt that she does (I certainly don't). She's a true intellectual, unlike some of the poseurs that have assumed the name, 0bama being one. It isn't necessarily an advantage.
I liked her in her National Security Adviser role and had great hopes at State (somewhat dashed, but I should have anticipated that). Bottom line - she isn't a Woman Of The People and doesn't care to pretend that she is, and she doesn't really want the job. IMHO, of course.
I think a job as the commissioner of the NFL would suit her and me .
“Nina Easton is wrong. Condi is a liberal on abortion...how about Star Parker? :)”
She is pro-abortion, but does not believe it’s protected by the constitution. She is a states rights believer on abortion, which is the way the country was before ROE.
“Actually, SARAH, is the face of the new GOP.....it’s not your old Bushes GOP.”
BINGO, we have a winner...
Sad to say most are responding to the article title (which I could not change per FR rules).
She's not trying to be the face of the GOP and NOTHING in the article suggest she wants to be. She still has great insight into foreign affairs.
She allowed the state dept to gum up our policy and efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as allowed it to continue supporting anti-american efforts overseas. Thats a fail in my book.
Over 50 posts and this statement has not even been discussed.
“The last time we left Afghanistan, and we abandoned Pakistan,” she said, “that territory became the very territory on which Al Qaeda trained and attacked us on September 11th. So our national security interests are very much tied up in not letting Afghanistan fail again and become a safe haven for terrorists.”
“It’s that simple,” she declared, “if you want another terrorist attack in the U.S., abandon Afghanistan.”
We should support people of either party when they speak simple truths and state positions that are in the best interests of the country, and when they take positions that are detrimental to our interests we should try to influence them to change their positions and/or replace them. To do otherwise is illogical and counterproductive.
It seems that some on this forum wish to promote disarray and oppose political figures only to show their “conservative” purity..
Obama has the black vote pretty much locked up for 2012 so running another black isn’t going to work. Are there any prominent Reaganesque Hispanics out there? Enough Hispanic Democrats would jump Obama’s ship that he would lose re-election. An Asian might work too, along the lines Michelle Malkin. Unlike Sarah, Michelle can handle the mean city slickers like Katie Couric.
Agreed. If there's one thing Condi is not it's petty.
She's smart, well-spoken and strong. She had TV coverage practically every day while SOS because she was cutting edge. She leaves Hillary in the dust.
Remember, after Condi arranged (forced on Israel) the cease fire in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War she justified the action by ascerting that she was going to negotiate the disarming of Hezbollahm as a second phase?
That never happened and Hezbollah rearmed stronger than ever, over ran the Lebanese government and essentially runs the country now.
That was Condi’s greatest accomplishment. Too bad it was for Hezbollah, which was the other side at the time.
Of course with Obama sitting in the White House now, her action enabling Hezbollah to rearm and expand their power and influence would be seen as a plus.
I am not arguing for her, she did what she was told.
Colin on the other hand, is a self serving prick, who lost his stature completely. Though he probably makes a tidy sum on the speech circuit.
“She still has great insight into foreign affairs. “
Oh, please. Like stabbing Israel in the back??????????????
Man this is a tough crowd.
Indeed---needlessly so in some cases.
I watched the video (I recommend it)and was impressed with Dr. Rice’s comments. She is not a politician. Never has been. She’s a passionate, effective advocate of the ideals of America and capitalism. She’s not ‘the face of the GOP’ but in a two party system, I’m proud to be able to say that Condi belongs to the same party as I do.
Agreed on all counts. I watched the video as well and wish that Condi had 'some' meaningful role in Government once again. Her grasp of issues and international dynamics is so far beyond that of HILLARY! that it's truly embarrassing to think that HRC is trying to fill Condi's shoes at the moment....hopefully the present 'administration' will be a one-term nightmare
“Obama has the black vote pretty much locked up for 2012 so running another black isn’t going to work. Are there any prominent Reaganesque Hispanics out there? Enough Hispanic Democrats would jump Obama’s ship that he would lose re-election. An Asian might work too, along the lines Michelle Malkin. Unlike Sarah, Michelle can handle the mean city slickers like Katie Couric.”
Racial pandering will not save the GOP. It’s a Democrat tactic.
Condi was way out of her depth as Secretary of State. Let’s stop pretending otherwise.
Republicans don't need to pander, but I don't think the Republicans can run another old white man in 2012 unless Obama is a total basket case by then. The white man demographic is shrinking and is constantly demonized by the media. White men are currently the only socially acceptable target for the left's inflamed envy. Obama is proof that America is no longer electing Presidents based on being the best leader. If Obama's obvious weakness starts a major war though, you'll see white men suddenly swept into power everywhere. Voters aren't so spiteful at white men when they're facing death.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.