News and Commentary Archive for November, 2004

November 15, 2004: I have been pleasantly surprised, even somewhat overwhelmed, by the response to this website, and the promotional bumper stickers featured here.  I never thought that I would be stopped in the street by others as excited as I am by the possibility of Dr. Rice's candidacy in 2008.  Dr. Dean, may have awakened the world to the idea of grassroots organization via the Internet, but I firmly believe by the responses that I have received that Dr. Rice will be able to capitalize on this concept and ride a true "grassroots" ground swell to the White House in 2008.  The fact that Dr. Rice was named as a successor to Colin Powell as Secretary of State today only magnifies my enthusiasm, as I am sure it does for others, for a Rice 2008 candidacy.  It will certainly make her more prominent on the national/international stage and provide her with an international resume befitting a presidential candidate.

November 16, 2004: Today, I have again been amazed at the energy generated by the possibility of Dr. Rice's candidacy in 2008.  Perhaps it is due to Dr. Rice being in the news as she has been officially named as President Bush's nominee for Secretary of State.  The bumper stickers on my car, and now this website, seem to elicit very positive, unsolicited responses.  I was asked twice today, just what is involved (legally speaking) in forming a "Draft  Condi" committee.  Is such a committee already in existence, or is there one forming?  Ideas, suggestions, or other input would be appreciated.  I'd certainly be glad to link to such an organization's website.

November 17, 2004: The bumper stickers on this site have been listed on e-Bay, if you find that it is more convenient to purchase that way.

Disappointing Polls: It was disheartening to see that Dr. Rice was not included in a number of polls (even the Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll of 11/16-17) as a potential Republican candidate (See the PollingReport.com report).  Somebody must be asleep at the switch at these organizations!   I don't which Republicans they are asking, but here in Cuban-dominated Miami, where being Republican in an "article of faith", the mention of Dr. Rice, or more affectionately, "Condi" (see the Viva Condi bumper sticker -- which, by the way, is almost sold out) generates more positive expressions of support than I ever have seen for a politician.  The most commonly mentioned match-up is Condi and Hillary.  Now, that's a poll I want to see!  If anyone has seen a recent national poll of Condi vs. Hillary, please e-mail me.  The consensus in Miami is that Condi would "wipe the floor with Hillary".  Of course, Miami is hardly representative of the nation at large, but I find it most encouraging.  Considering the local bumper sticker sales, I suspect that you would see Condi bumper stickers in rush hour traffic on any given day in Miami.  Hopefully, online sales will make this a national trend.

November 18, 2004: Madison, Wisconsin, Radio Personality John Sylvester calls Dr. Rice "Aunt Jamima" and "incompetent."  This is the same genius who called Colin Powell "Uncle Tom."  What's worse is that this "personality" is the Program Director for this federally licensed radio station that is supposed to act in the public interest.  How "fair and balanced" do you think the programming is at a station that employs such a person in a management position?  Reading his biography on his radio station's website is most revealing.  It's available here.  You can also read the Fox News article here about his insulting Dr. Rice.  The only socially redeeming thing that I have read about this "gentleman" is that he encourages his listeners to express their feelings over the Target retail chain's decision to ban the Salvation Army from raising funds outside of their stores.  Maybe there is hope for his soul yet.  (Even I used to be a Democrat!  I collected money for Hubert Humphrey as a child, and my ultimate shame -- I voted for Jimmy Carter in 1980.)

November 19, 2004:  Dr. Rice undergoes surgery today, She reportedly had a procedure known as uterine fibroid embolization, an alternative to hormone therapy and hysterectomy for uterine fibroids and the pain and irregular bleeding that they can cause.  Although I find it somewhat unseemly that Dr. Rice's privacy and right to confidentiality are forfeited already on the alter of the free press and a public's presumed "right to know" before she even is an official candidate for the Presidency, I guess now is as good a time as any to start making these sacrifices.  See the Fox News article here.

November 20, 2004: Dr. Rice returns home from hospital, , amid the first salvos fired from the left to brand her a "right-wing ideologue" in op-ed pages of liberal newspapers.  For a sample, check out Helen Thomas of Hearst Newspapers in a piece dated November 21, 2004, here.  Of course, nobody pays attention to these blowhards as evidenced by our last election.  However, this is just the beginning of the assaults to undermine Dr. Rice's political future.  Even if the Republican establishment hasn't recognized Dr. Rice as our best hope to trump Hillary in 2008, the Left has.  Who said that Democrats don't believe in pre-emptive strikes?

Nov. 27, 2004: Impressive Website Statistics: We have had over 500 website hits since our initiation November 14, 2004.  Since our listings starting showing up in the past week on  Google®, Yahoo®, Excite®, etc. we've had over a hundred during the holiday weekend with a corresponding increase in sales.  This all bodes well for the future.  Our initial printings of approximately 500 bumper stickers are almost sold out.  Campaign Buttons are already selling briskly and they have only been on the website and e-Bay for 3 days!

Nov. 27. 2004: World Press seems to take "wait and see" attitude with Dr. Rice.  However, the consensus seems to be that she is the "loyal soldier" for President Bush, and that she has been appointed to make the State Department an extension of the President's vision.  (Gee, isn't that what the State Department is supposed to do?)   Look at the "What the Arab World Should Expect of Rice" from the Arab News and "Rice Will Play an Important Role" from the Taipei Times op-ed page.  There is also a rambling piece from the Pakistan Times "Tasks Ahead for Condoleezza Rice" that is hard to follow due to its mix of British English and East-Asian phraseology but it noteworthy for its generally supportive tone, albeit mixed with the obligatory anti-Israel references.  Coming from our most important ally in the War on Terror, it deserves to be read.  Reading "between the lines" and understanding its true meaning is another matter.

Nov. 28, 2004: Condi Newsfeed: As Dr. Rice becomes an even more visible public figure with her nomination as Secretary of State, there has been increase in what is written about her.  Soon, we hope to have a "Condi Newsfeed" from one of the online news services so that visitors to the website can quickly see the headlines regarding Dr. Rice from a wide variety of sources and link to those articles rapidly.  Look for a newsfeed icon, or link, on the homepage soon.  On the Links page you can see our customized Dr. Condoleezza Rice newspage.

Nov. 28, 2004: Kids for Condi?: I must admit that I did not foresee this one, but now, in retrospect, it makes perfect sense.  Dr. Rice's story is an inspiring one that has been published for young readers and children.  Personally, I think it's terrific that Dr. Rice is becoming a role model for our youth -- she's obviously in a different league than what the entertainment industry serves up as "role models".  Unfortunately, I am at a bit of a loss about what to do with the information that gets sent to me from time to time: e-mail addresses, home addresses, etc.  Look for an update to the Policies statement after I've had time for a little legal counsel.  Please excuse in delays in e-mail responses while this gets resolved.

November 30, 2004: National Exposure: Hopefully, when you read this the " Draft Condi"  movement will be well on its way to national exposure.   Search engines, eBay, and national media outlets are starting to recognize the "Draft Condi" movement as a grassroots  "ground swell" -- four years before the next presidential election!  We continue to be astounded by the spontaneous expressions of support for Dr. Rice as a presidential candidate in 2008.  This week we will be ordering our first "re-printing" of "Condi for President" bumper stickers.  We aren't in this to sell bumper stickers, t-shirts, coffee cups, or campaign buttons.  We just want Dr. Rice in the White House in 2008!