News and Commentary Archive for July, 2005

July 2, 2005: Search Us! You can now search our website.  As our archives have grown, being able to search the site has become essential.  So now, if you check our menu under Information, you will find a Search option.  Please report any technical glitches and happy searching!

July 4, 2005: Al-Qaeda and Saddam Links.  Are you sick of the constant prattle from the left that there were no WMD and there was no link between Al-Qaeda and Saddam?  (Never mind that Saddam was a murderous, genocidal megalomaniac enabled by the petrodollars he managed to skim off of the "Oil for Food" by cutting in his French -- and other European -- lap dogs for a "percentage of the take" while his people starved and died from lack of food and medication.)  The Left is operating under the premise that if you repeat a "charge" often enough it will eventually gain some traction.   Unfortunately, this will probably continue, and only get worse, until 2008.  We are currently researching many of these "charges" so that they can be refuted definitively, and we can move on.  In the meantime, we found this little jewel from Rush Limbaugh.  His website posted documentation of the links between Al-Qaeda and Saddam.  Click here and here to read and enjoy.  Rush also posted the Salman Pak photos of a terrorist training camp, complete with jet liner for practicing hijacking and hostage taking.  These items are great information for countering and debunking the repetitive whining from apologists for the terrorists.


July 4, 2005: Happy Birthday America!  Best wishes for a happy, safe holiday.  During an address to the troops today, President Bush thanked the members of the US Armed Forces on behalf of all Americans and asked that all of us take the time today to show support for our servicemen and women.  Here are a couple ideas.  Visit AmericaSupportsYou.mil or send a care package through the USO for just $25.  

July 5, 2005: Condi Newsfeed.  Over the weekend we added our news feed in the lower left hand corner of our homepage.  You can subscribe to e-mail updates and search previous news feed postings. 

July 7, 2005: "This ideology of hatred has to be defeated!" -- Dr. Condoleezza Rice

"This strengthens the resolve of countries like Great Britain and of the people who suffer these attacks because you realize that there is no reasoning with people who would try and destroy innocent lives."
 

July 10, 2005: Dr. Rice arrives in China.  After a 20-hour flight, Dr. Rice landed Saturday night in Bejing for talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and top Chinese officials aimed at "jump-starting" the six-party discussions on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.  Dr. Rice was quoted in an Associated Press article by George Gedda and Burt Herman:
 "... making sure that, over time, we get a non-nuclear Korean Peninsula, that's ... a very high priority for the Chinese."
  The North Korean's official news agency, KCNA, released a statement confirming their return to the negotiations for later this month.
"The U.S. side clarified its official stand to recognize (North Korea) as a sovereign state, not to invade it and hold bilateral talks within the framework of the six-party talks."
Rueters' Carol Giacomo also wrote an article on Dr. Rice's arrival in China.  Follow this link to the Rueters North Korea slideshow.


July 11, 2005: Asia Tour Continues.  Dr. Rice is in Thailand until later this afternoon, after which she'll head for Japan and South Korea -- the final two stops on her Asian trip aimed at garnering support for the re-started six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.
Dr. Rice with Thai girl at school rebuilt with US assistance after tsunami.
 

July 13, 2005: Optimistic. Dr. Rice, representing the United States during her recent Asian tour, joined with other Asian partners in coaxing back the North Koreans to the six party talks aimed at achieving a "nuclear-free" Korean peninsula.  In Seoul today, a Reuters article by Jon Herskovitz and Carol Giacomo quoted Dr. Rice as saying:
"We are very optimistic that our joint efforts to improve the security situation on the Korean peninsula could indeed bear fruit, although, of course, there is still much work to be done."
This statement's cautious optimism is the most positive development concerning the North Korean nuclear stand-off in over a year.

July, 14, 2005: Michigan -- first in the country to put Dr. Rice on the ballot?  Matthew May, our Michigan Chairperson has contacted the Michigan Secretary of State to confirm what needs to be done to put Dr. Rice on the 2008 Republican primary ballot.  It looks like it's only 15,000 signatures away.  Please contact him if you are a voter in Michigan and would like to sign the petition, or volunteer to help collect signatures.  You can read further details on his Citizens for Condi blog.  We'll post progress reports on this exciting development. 

July 14, 2005:Who the hell are all these Condi Rice people?  That was the subtitle of Eric Pfeiffer's National Review article, Bringing Back the Draft that talks about our favorite subject -- putting Dr. Rice's name on the ballot for 2008.  To answer his rhetorical question, "we" are those "people."  A lot is happening this summer, as we get ready for the NFRA, NFRW, our first television spots, and next year's CPAC (see the links to the right); hopefully this type of media attention is just the beginning.  Join us, help us, show your support!  Contrary to popular opinion, it is NOT too early for 2008.  We have a BIG "to-do list" as we are trying to build the volunteer draft organizations in all key (or dare we say, "all 50") states.

July 15, 2005: Condi Landslide!  According to a recent Hotline poll about 2008 and reported in National Review's The Buzz yesterday, Hillary polled 48% positive and 44% negative job approval.  Dr. Rice polled 59% positive to 25% negative job approval.  (This is truly amazing, given the MSM's constant drumbeat of anti-administration coverage.) Overwhelming majorities expressed that they could support a female (85% to 9%) or African-American (86% to 4%) candidate.  The numbers that catch our attention the most are the negative job approval ratings that show what a polarizing candidate Hillary is.  Dr. Rice, on the other hand, has negatives that are approximately HALF.  Clearly these numbers demonstrate the potential strength of a Rice candidacy.  But the news from this poll gets even better!
"Rice also strongly outpolls Clinton on all national security questions: who is stronger on national security issues, ability to handle an international crisis, ability to protect the U.S. from a terrorist attack, ability to manage Iraq and ability to be a 'strong and decisive' leader."

July 17, 2005: On the Road Again!  Dr. Rice returns home after a whirlwind tour of Asia, but grass won't grow under her feet.  She has a trip planned for Africa next week with an emergency detour to the Middle East where she hopes to troubleshoot the Gaza withdrawal -- threatened by recent violence.  The Secretary's impressive travel itinerary is outlined in a US News & World Report article in this week's issue.

July 19, 2005: En Route to Africa.  The Secretary of State leaves today for her first trip to Africa.  Her itinerary will be subject to interruptions by the Middle East crisis, starting with a rumored meeting this Thursday with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas.  Dr. Rice is scheduled to return July 24th, but events in Gaza may prolong her overseas travels.

July 19, 2005: Some in GOP Hope Rice Runs for President was the title of AP Diplomatic Writer Anne Gearan's article today about a 2008 candidacy.  Not only was our website mentioned, but more importantly, it mentioned the potential preparations being made for a future campaign by key staff appointments at the State Department, like Karen Hughes.  Ms. Gearan went on further to point out that Dr. Rice left herself just enough "wiggle room" for the future to become a candidate.

July 20, 2005: Peacemaker.  Dr. Rice continues her arduous, seemingly endless, global travels to further the Bush administration's foreign policy of promoting democracy, freedom and human rights around the world.  She is developing the personal relationships with world leaders that will prove invaluable when she becomes President.  After traveling throughout Asia last week, she's off to Africa this week to show support for the fledgling "reconciliation" government of the Sudan and to try to end the genocidal atrocities that have occurred in the Darfur region of that country for decades.  Simultaneously, she is trying to troubleshoot threats to Middle East peace that may derail the planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.  She is going to be engaging in "shuttle" diplomacy with the Israelis and the Palestinian authority while trying to attend an African trade summit in Senegal.  Dr. Rice was quoted in an Associated Press article as follows about her visit to the Sudan and Darfur:
“I’ll try to say to people that there is hope, that nobody is forgotten, that we are working very very hard.  I’ll talk to the nongovernment organizations that are on the front lines, and I’ll say that even the darkest moments in any country can be overcome. It’s a very horrible situation.”

July 21, 2005: "90 Minutes"  That was the deadline Dr. Rice gave to the Sudanese foreign minister  to apologize for the rough, and at times violent, treatment of staff members, translators and journalists traveling with the Secretary of State in Khartoum.  During a meeting with the Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir inside his fortress-like headquarters compound, security forces of the new "reconciliation"  government separated Dr. Rice from staff and reporters traveling with her and then blocked their access to the meeting.   After protests were made, the security personnel reluctantly allowed them to enter, but not after having shoved one of Dr. Rice's senior advisors, Jim Wilkinson, up against a wall.  Later, to make matters worse, Sudanese security personnel assaulted NBC reporter Andrea Mitchell, ripping a microphone out of her hand and physically forcing her to the rear of a photo session as Dr. Rice and the North African nation's leader looked on.  Mr. Wilkinson sprang to her defense demanding, "Get your hands off of her!" (Quite a bold move for an unarmed diplomat to make towards armed security personnel who had all ready demonstrated their propensity for violence.)  Needless to say, these events impact negatively on the Sudan's recent attempts to improve relations with the United States, who lists the country as a "supporter of terrorism." Dr. Rice received her apology within the 90 minute deadline.

Fortunately, the remainder of Dr. Rice's visit to Sudan and Darfur went off with no further incidents as she received a warm welcome while touring refugee camps and meeting with relief workers and members of the African Union peacekeeping forces.  Links: AP, AP-Anne Gearan, MSNBC


July 22, 2005: Surprise Visit to Lebanon.  In an unannounced departure from her Middle East itinerary -- and at considerable personal risk --Dr. Rice called on the new Lebanese Government to show support for the country's efforts towards democracy.  Lebanon only recently got rid of the Syrian Army after years of occupation -- although it is suspected that hundreds, if not thousands, of Syrian intelligence operatives remain in the country.  Shortly after the Secretary's departure, there was a car bombing in Beirut close to where she had been just hours earlier.  Syrian involvement in the bombing is widely suspected.

July 26, 2005: What are they afraid of ?  (Or to paraphrase Brittany Spears, "Oops they did it again!")  Yet another 2008 Republican Presidential poll has come out with the glaring, and obvious, exclusion of Dr. Rice.  Strategic Vision and Angus Reid Consultants of Vancouver polled Florida voters to arrive at the conclusion that Rudy Giuliani is the frontrunner.  You can see their poll results here, but without Dr. Rice, these results have little meaning.  This poll, just like the others that exclude Dr. Rice, beg the question, "Why is she excluded?"  (The "she said she won't run" excuse doesn't work here, either.  Others, that were included in the poll have said they're not running, as well.)  Other than a polling company trying to tell a paying client "what they want to hear," it makes little sense to us.  When Secretary Rice is included, she is the clear favorite, or very close to it.  In May, she won the Wisconsin Republican party straw poll by a wide margin.  Results of that poll are summarized here:
Condoleezza Rice: 34.9%
Giuliani: 23.5%, Jeb Bush: 15.6% Frist: 9.8%, George Allen: 7%, McCain: 4.8%, Romney: 2.2%

July 28, 2005: Castro "Transition" Team?  The State Department now has a Transition Coordinator, Caleb McCarry, to oversee efforts to make sure that the Cuban "revolution" does not survive beyond the retirement (funeral) of its founder, Fidel.  After more than 50 years of "revolution" this communist experiment his only managed to produce crushing poverty, a continuous stream of refugees, and a police state with jails full of political opponents.  Dr. Rice swore in McCarry today.  Let's pray for his success.  You can find out more about opposition to the Castro dictatorship at the Florida International University's Free Cuba Foundation website.

July 28, 2005:  Auf Wieder Sehen, Herr Schroeder!  It appears that the German people are getting ready to give the electoral "pink slip" to Gerhard Schroeder, the German Chancellor and unreliable US ally, who has managed to stay in power so long by fanning the flames of anti-Americanism and opposition to the war in Iraq.  But all of that may change as Angela Merkel, of the Christian Democratic Union, appears poised to win the upcoming election.  Wolfgang Schaeuble, a CDU foreign policy wonk and "old acquaintance" of Dr. Rice was quoted as saying a German government under Merkel's leadership would seek to improve relations with the US.  After meeting with President Bush and Secretary Rice yesterday in Washington he said, "There has been some bad damage and we will change this."  The election of Merkel would spell the end of Schroeder's idea of a "German path," or the proposed Paris-Berlin-Moscow axis.  (Note to Gerhard:  "Axis" was probably a poor choice of words here.  You should avoid this word in the future--oh, that's right, YOU don't have a future!)  Soon Germany will have a conservative (by European standards) female chief executive.  Could the US be far behind? Links: Washington Times, Expatria

July 30, 2005: The World's Most Powerful Woman!  Forbes 2nd Annual Special Report, The 100 Most Powerful Women, by Elizabeth MacDonald, Chana R. Schoenberger, et al, placed Dr. Rice on top of this very prestigious list.  Tatiana Serafin wrote the article's bio page for Dr. Rice:
"With her steely nerve and delicate manners (she has been called the "Warrior Princess"), Rice lately has reinvigorated her position (Secretary of State) with diplomatic activism."
The story has been widely reported.  Interestingly, the junior Senator from New York, did not make the top 10, coming in at #26.  However, we draw a large distinction between Hillary Rodham Clinton's and Dr. Rice's appearances on this list, besides the obvious difference between 1 and 26.  Hillary attained her position primarily through marriage -- her brief Senate career hardly warrants her ranking at all.  Dr. Rice achieved her position on her own -- supported by a family that placed a high value on education and personal responsibility.

July 31, 2005: "Velvet Hammer" is the descriptive, and complimentary (depending on your point of view), sobriquet that colleagues at the State Department have given to Dr. Rice.  This makes us wonder if the expression "Hammer Time" (You remember MC Hammer, don't you?) is already in use on the seventh floor at the State Department, as well.  The velvet metaphor recurs in the title of Robin Wright's and Glenn Kessler's Washington Post article yesterday, Using "velvet" touch -- Rice takes control at State.  They describe Dr. Rice taking the reins of the State Department and how in 6 months the new Secretary of State has brought "practical idealism" and "a more aggressive personal diplomacy" to US foreign policy.  In a surprisingly complimentary article for the Post, they point out that she has taken firm control at State and eclipsed Donald Rumsfeld's Defense Department in shaping foreign policy -- ending much of the "internal squabbling" in the administration prior to her confirmation.   The article also describes how Dr. Rice has made values, principles and the promotion of democracy an integral part of US relationships overseas , or as they phrase it: "values-based diplomacy."  However, we were reminded of the Post's leftward leanings as this pair of writers discuss what will be Dr. Rice's "legacy" as Secretary of State:
Rice's legacy is more likely to be determined by two historic challenges: salvaging the U.S. intervention in Iraq and making headway in promoting democracy in the Islamic world. On both, long-term strategies are not yet visible.
"Salvaging?"  Although every combat death and casualty is tragic, the Iraqi campaign has been quite a success if what we hear from returning soldiers is true  -- although you'd never know that from the US mainstream media!  And the observation: "Long-term strategies are not yet visible." is absurd.  THE STRATEGY IS TO WIN THE WAR ON TERROR -- MILITARILY AND POLITICALLY!!!  Fortunately, we have Dr. Rice on our side which will go a long way towards securing that victory.