Free Republic

WASHINGTON — With Iraq's elections a month away, a pivotal question emerges: Given the sharp religious and ethnic divisions and the possible influence of neighboring Iran, what kind of government will a new Iraq get? Most observers agree that it will be Islamic-based, but they differ over whether Islam will dictate the law in Iraq — much as it does in Iran (search) — or be a guiding principle. Some also see the chance for a more secular, Western-style democracy to prevail.

Gen. Colin Powell is being pressed by former President George Bush to endorse his son for president but has privately expressed misgivings whether Texas Gov. George W. Bush is ready. "He still has to fill out his suit," Powell told a friend in talking about the younger Bush. In contrast, the general said, Sen. John McCain has filled out his. Supporters of McCain view Powell as an unannounced ally. A footnote: Friends of Powell, who is shown by polls to be the most popular public figure in America, predict he never will run for public office. But they add that ...

Bill Clinton's impact on the American polity was never more evident than in the major address that the Republican Presidential aspirant George W. Bush gave in Indianapolis last week. The speech was, well, Clintonesque. A Cato Institute analysis in February of President Clinton's January State of the Union Message counted some 95 separate proposals for Federal action, ranging from "rapid response teams" when local businesses close to demands that local school districts adopt Federal "discipline policies." Governor Bush's speech was by no means as sweeping as that of our undisciplined President, but in at least one important aspect it was ...

James Dobson has a warning for Republican presidential contender George W. Bush. He'd better clarify his position on abortion and other issues important to Christian voters or he'll lose their support. Dobson, as head of the Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family, has become an influential opinion leader. He was in Denver on Saturday to speak to more than 8,000 women participating in a daylong spiritual retreat called Renewing the Heart. Dobson's speech focused on prayer and relationships, not politics. But in a rare interview after his talk, Dobson addressed his view of presidential politics. Dobson has been dubbed a ...

BUCHANAN ON CHINA VOTE: 'ASHAMED TO BE A REPUBLICAN' MCLEAN, VA -- Today, Republican Presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan released the following statement: "The House vote to extend Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade privileges for China, at the very moment Beijing threatens war on Taiwan and persecutes yet another religious minority, makes the Clinton-Gore policy of appeasement a bipartisan affair. "Rather than stand on principle and sanction the autocrats of Beijing for arrogant and belligerent conduct, the Republican Party, too, has elected to grovel. Can anyone believe that a regime that treats its own people with such cruelty will ...

House To Vote on China Trade Status By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- Furor over China's alleged theft of nuclear secrets and human rights abuses ensures a fiery debate as the House takes up the annual question of extending for another year China's trade status. The administration joined Republican leaders today in appealing to members to support engagement with China. Revoking normal trade, the administration said in a statement, would ``signficantly damage America's relationship with a fifth of the world's population.'' That relationship ``is very fragile now,'' said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer, R-Texas. ...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain said Monday that he had no intention of abandoning the GOP for the Reform Party, as Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura suggested. Ventura, the highest-ranking elected official of the Reform Party, said Sunday that the Arizona senator would make a strong Reform candidate. ``Although I am flattered by his kind words, I would instead ask him and his supporters to consider pursuing our shared reform agenda through the party to which I am a proud and loyal member -- the Republican Party,'' McCain said in a statement. He called the Republican Party ``the ...