News and Commentary Archive for November, 2005

November 2, 2005: It's happening!
The seeds for the future are being planted at Dick Morris book signings for his new best-seller, Condi vs. Hillary -- even when Mr. Morris doesn't appear due to hurricane-related schedule changes.   In Florida, Alabama and Tennessee; Condi-supporters have been showing up to hear Dick Morris and Eileen McGann speak about their new book.   We've been there to distribute bumper stickers and let people know that we're already "on the job."    Special recognition has to go out (again) to "Alabama gang" for answering "the call."  Originally, they went to the Irondale, Alabama, book signing -- only to find that it been cancelled.  Undaunted, they seized the opportunity to recruit among those who, likewise, had come to see Dick and Eileen -- only to be disappointed.  But then, acting on a tip from Jeff Jenkins, (our Western TN chairperson) who had been to the Memphis book signing the day before, they all headed up to Nashville where the pair of authors had told him they were to appear next.
  (Plan on attending one of these events?  Call the site directly before you travel, because the publisher, Harper-Collins, is remiss in updating its website with schedule changes.  With their bungling, it's amazing anyone shows up at all.  One might think that the Harper-Collins book promotion people are Hillary supporters with the way they've mishandled this!)

In any event, the trio arrived in Nashville, where they received a warm welcome, met the authors, distributed "Condi gear," took a few pictures, fund-raised, recruited and linked up with Robert Mischke, our Middle Tennessee chairperson, and his wife Daisy, who were instrumental in our success at the recent National Federation of Republican Women convention in Nashville.  (You can check our archives and discussion board for more information about that in case you missed it before.)

(Photo above: Alabama gang standing next to the "Morris-mobile" book signing tour bus.)

Nov. 4, 2005: Post Hurricane Catching-up!
A lot happened before, and during, the week that our website stagnated due to Hurricane Wilma knocking out our Internet access and electricity in Miami.   Starting October 19th, as our television commercials were running, Crystal Dueker was interviewed on WHO News Radio, 1040 AM, Des Moines.  The talk radio audience there was quite interested in our efforts.  This lead up to our display at the Iowa State Republican Ronald Reagan Dinner on the 22nd, staffed by Crystal and local College Republicans.  This proved to be fertile ground for recruiting the "boots on the ground" that we're going to need in this crucial early caucus state and gained some traction in the Iowa press.  (link: Quad City Times)

Matt May, our acting Michigan chairperson, was featured in a Detroit Free Press article written by Julie Hinds, Condi's Man in Michigan.  We've had a good response to that article as judged by website orders from Michigan.

And of course, we've been to several Dick Morris Condi vs. Hillary book signings.  See the separate postings and webpage for more on those.

Also, the State Department got around to posting the transcripts of several Birmingham, Alabama, interviews (WVTM NBC , WBRC FOX,  WBMA ABC ) from Dr. Rice's trip with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to Alabama at the end of last month.  Our Alabama supporters got to see these as they were televised. Unfortunately, the State Dept. chose not to post the videos.

And in the past week, Dr. Rice attended the memorial services for Rosa Parks.  She spoke to those in attendance, stating, "I can honestly say that without Mrs. Parks, I probably would not be standing here today as Secretary of State."   (links: KUTV-Montgomery, Associated Press)

Nov. 5, 2005: Bay-Area Condista Leader.
Palo Alto attorney, Christopher Meade, joins our growing ranks.  He has a penchant for quoting Marines and excellent taste in reading material.  We look forward to his enthusiasm and drive producing big results in California.  If you're a Bay-area Condi supporter, contact him at BayArea@AmericansForRice.com.


We asked him to a brief statement summing up his political outlook, he told the story of a WWI Marine captain.
When the U.S. finally entered WWI, the Marines went over to support a position near Belleau Woods.  The French were in full retreat.  When advised to do the same, a US Marine captain exclaimed--"Retreat, Hell! We just got here!" 

With an attitude like that, we're glad he's on our side!

November 6, 2005: "Demonization" of Dr. Rice
While this may not be shocking to most of you, it is a clear indication of the uphill road that we have to travel.  The left-wing extremists of the Democratic party have friends in the mainstream media, and they have already set their sights on Dr. Rice.  We weren't "on top" of this story because we were off-line due to Hurricane Wilma, but it is still an important news item.  As other black Republican leaders have been denigrated with epithets, such as "Uncle Tom" or "Oreo;" Dr. Rice is beginning to be the brunt of "charges" that she's "not really black," blatantly racist cartoon "satires," or as highlighted in a Michelle Malkin article the posting of an altered, uncomplimentary photo of Dr. Rice by USA Today.  Kudos to the blogosphere for quickly exposing this -- leading to the photo's removal from the USA Today website and lame, implausible excuses from the USA Today management.  Unfortunately, this probably only portends that the MSM's bias will be much more subtle and cleverly disguised in the future.
 
November 6 2005: Fred Barnes is a "Condi fan"
In an e-mail exchange following his article, Rough Road for Republicans in 2008, the editor of the Weekly Standard, and one of the Fox News "Beltway Boys" wished us "luck" in persuading Dr. Rice to run in 2008 and stated,  "I'm a great fan of Condi Rice, but I don't think she wants to run for President."  We agree that we'll need more than a little luck in making "Condi '08" a reality.  Of course, no one "wants" to run for President -- it's an arduous process followed by four to eight years under a microscope -- if you win.   That's why we're a "draft" movement.  To quote Bob Dylan, "The times they are a changin'."   In the past we, the American people, have been limited to those that wanted to run for the Presidency, did so, and did so successfully.  Now, through the enabling technology of the Internet we are able to choose our leaders.  Obviously, we choose Dr. Rice, and we're convinced that so will the majority of the American people in 2008.

November 7, 2005: "Take what you can get approach" was AP diplomatic reporter Anne Gearan's description of Dr. Rice's diplomacy since becoming Secretary of State in today's article pessimistically entitled "Bush Diplomacy Means Settling for Less." However, the article does point out a variety of diplomatic successes and initiatives that have marked Dr. Rice's tenure as Secretary of State.

November 8, 2005: Life in the Fast Lane.
Tomorrow, Dr. Rice addresses the American Bar Association at an international law symposium in Washington, then the following day, she'll leave for the Middle East with stops in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the West Bank.  She'll then travel to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit where she joins President Bush for a trip to China and Mongolia.

November 9, 2005: Building Support for 2008.
As reported today in the Huntsville Times in Gregg Parker's article, GOP Group ponders Rice Candidacy, Dr. Pete Stevens, our eastern Tennessee chairperson, is going to be speaking before the Republican Women of Madison (Alabama) next week, November 16th.  These types of meetings, presentations and other gatherings are the model for the future as we build the essential grassroots support we need to have a successful draft movement for 2008.  Look for us to post photos and a full report online after the meeting.

November 11, 2005: Surprise Visit to Iraq.
Dr. Rice made an unannounced visit this Veterans Day to Mosul, Iraq, to visit with US troops and support the next round of Iraqi elections.  She was in the region as part of her previously scheduled trip to the Middle East.  Talking to reporters en route and in a press conference held in the mostly Sunni, northern Iraqi city; the New York Times' Steve Weisman in his article today quoted the Secretary of State commenting on US military strategy and political neutrality in Iraq in order to "redefine the mission."  Central to this redefinition will be closer coordination of military and reconstruction efforts in Iraq; and while the US will certainly promote efforts aimed at fostering democracy, it will not, "support any particular political candidate or any particular party or list."

(While reading Mr. Weisman's article, we noticed that he, or perhaps his editors, persistently referred to Dr. Rice as "Ms. Rice."  Is showing disrespect for administration officials an editorial policy of the NY Times?  Or is it just Steve's bad manners?  Now, before you e-mail us about our references to Dr. Rice as "Condi," please be aware that we have thought a lot about this issue.  It is our humble opinion, that it is a sign of public recognition when a person becomes  referred to by their first name, or nickname.  For example: Popes, saints, sports stars, rock stars, and presidents -- and in Condi's case, a future president!)

November 13, 2005: "You're my inspiration."
CNN Correspondent Tom Foreman, coined a phrase yesterday during his report on the CNN Saturday Morning News, "The Rise of Rice" to describe Dr. Rice's continuing accomplishments.  He began his report:
Just in time for Veterans Day, a bright light in the Republican blues -- Condoleezza Rice is stepping out.
Foreman is, interestingly, from Alabama where he began his broadcasting career.  He highlighted Dr. Rice's appearance in Time as an "ambitious" woman and how, in Newsweek, others' are deemed to be important based on their contact with Dr. Rice.  (He left out Dr. Rice's appearance in Forbes as the world's "Most Powerful Woman" this past July and her recent appearance in US News and World Report as one of "America's Best Leaders.") In his report, he included a servicewoman who greeted Dr. Rice in Iraq with, "You are my inspiration."  Finishing with:
"You're my inspiration," she said. And amid the administration's many worries, that's something Secretary Rice and the White House can run with."
Interesting choice of words, "run with."  Hmmm.

November 14, 2005: Happy Birthday!
Today is Dr. Rice's 51st birthday and is the first anniversary of our going online -- purely by coincidence on Dr. Rice's 50th birthday last year.  So much has happened since that time, and we're very thankful to all of those that have visited our website, supported our efforts and participated in our activities.  Many exciting developments are underway, and we look forward to informing you of our progress in the very near future.  Of course, "our" progress is "your" progress since we are an all-volunteer organization -- we couldn't achieve anything without your participation.  Thank you all and Happy Birthday!


Scott Pilkington and Family displaying their wares along with Condi gear!

November 14, 2005: Great Idea!
Scott Pilkington of PilkGuns.com came up with a great way to show support for Dr. Rice in his family business, Pilk Competition Equipment, LLC, of Monteagle, Tennessee.  Scott includes a Condi '08 bumper sticker in each order he ships.   He originally contacted us with the idea, and we sent him his first shipment of Condi Gear last week.   Further, while attending a JROTC air rifle match in the Atlanta area, Scott and his family found some very enthusiastic young supporters.  If you have a business and would like to show your support for a Dr. Rice candidacy in 2008 like Scott, please contact us.
 

Condi's a hit with many teenagers that will be voting age in 2008.

Friends and competitors at Atlanta-area Navy JROTC Air Rifle Match this past weekend.  There was enthusiastic support for Dr. Rice.
 

Dr. Rice was in Saudi Arabia for her birthday, November 14, 2005.  There was just time for a piece of cake, then it was, "Back to work!"

Dr. Rice pays surprise visit to the troops on Veterans Day, arriving in Baghdad.

Watch excerpt from Fox News Veterans Day report below:

 

November 15, 2005: Plain-spoken diplomat.
Dr. Rice, in a departure from the time-honored tradition of diplomats "sugar coating" their statements, has developed a diplomatic style of making clear, concise statements.  This was highlighted in yesterday's article, Rice Sends Warm Message in Middle East, by Elaine Shannon of Time magazine, who is accompanying the Secretary of State on her current Middle Eastern and Asian travels.

Rice was asked about the Syrian leader Bashar Assad’s torrent of criticism of the UN investigation into the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. “What I’ve seen is, so far, a lot of criticism of the process and a lot of criticism of the investigation,” Rice asserted. “That just isn’t going to — it’s not going to cut it.”

Ms. Shannon points out that even though she is quick to criticize "hostile regimes," Dr. Rice makes an effort to separate a nation's people from its government.   These efforts are not lost on those whose lives she is working to improve.
 
She wants people on the street to know, says an aide, that the U.S. isn’t trying to punish the entire nation for the transgressions of the leadership. That’s why Rice, speaking at an international conclave on democracy in Bahrain Saturday, departed from her usual rhetoric about Syrian support of terrorism to accuse the regime of abusing its own people. She cited Syria’s recent arrest of dissident Kamal Labwani. Afterwards, she told associates, she was deeply moved when a Syrian human rights activist came up to her, kissed her cheek and said, “Thank you for not forgetting us.”

Nov. 15, 2005: Rice passes McCain as GOP Support Soars was the title of Deborah Orin's NY Post article today that cited the latest Rasmussen poll.  It was Rudy 26%, Condi 24% and McCain 21% for 2008.

Rice appears to be the only big-name Republican going up in national polls at a time when many others are sliding — she's up 5 points since the last Rasmussen poll in September while Giuliani is down 5 and McCain is down 7.

The article also mentions the relationship of the debut of ABC's Commander-in-Chief to Dr. Rice's increasing popularity and,
"Activists (that would be us!) have run pro-Rice TV ads during the show in New Hampshire and Vermont."  (And don't forget Iowa!)

November 16, 2005: Dr. Rice's "all-nighter" for Middle East peace.
With a large dose of "personal" diplomacy from the Secretary of State and perhaps more than a little "arm-twisting," an Israeli-Palestinian agreement for international access to Gaza was reached in an "after-hours" marathon negotiating session that extended Dr. Rice's stay in the Middle East for a day.  She was quoted as saying,  "Sometimes the last yard is the hardest," and "I'm not going to leave here until we get an agreement."   A Washington Post editorial today said, "By clinching the deal, Ms. Rice preserved the possibility that Mr. Bush's (roadmap for peace) plan could still go forward."  However, she has not been crowing about her success as she takes a "wait and see attitude" regarding the implementation and performance of both sides.  From an Elaine Shannon Time article yesterday, "(She) eschewed terms such as "breakthrough," warning that the test of the deal lay in its implementation..... vowing to return if necessary."
Dr. Rice's list of accomplishments is growing. This agreement is only the most recent, and we're sure it won't be the last. She has drawn praise from the right and left. Conservative Washington, DC, tax policy activist, Grover Norquist, suggested her as Time magazine's "Person of the Year," a suggestion echoed by (Sit down for this one!) Donna Brazile, Al Gore's campaign manager in 2000, who called her the "face of American democracy." 

Her success places her in the company of former secretaries James A. Baker III, George P. Shultz and Henry A. Kissinger -- not to mention former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
Washington Post editorial 11/16/2005

(We can't help but wonder, "Was the mention of those last two meant to be a compliment?")

Two for Rice in 2008.  Larry Vinson (L) & Dr. Pete Stevens (R) at last night's Republican Women of Madison (Alabama) meeting where Dr. Rice's candidacy was the topic of Dr. Steven's presentation.

November 17, 2005: "Dr. Pete" Recruits for the Cause.  Last night at a very well-attended meeting of the Republican Women of Madison, Dr. Pete Stevens gave a presentation that is a blueprint for the future.  This is the grassroots level organizing that will be essential for making Dr. Rice our chief executive in 2008.  These efforts need to be duplicated across the country if we are to be successful.  Local media covered the event, and it made the front page of the Huntsville Times in an article by Patricia McCarter.   Kudos to the "Alabama gang," Dr. Pete and the Republican Women of Madison.


Reporter Patricia McCarter is on the "Condi campaign beat" as she interviews Dr. Stevens.

November 19, 2005: Magnetic Bumper Stickers are available -- at last!
By popular demand, we have created our first magnetic bumper sticker using the same Condi '08 design that we're using for our highly successful $1 SASE bumper sticker program.  Click here for more information and to order.

Nov. 20, 2005:  Chinese human rights (Now there’s an oxymoron!) was on the front burner of Dr. Rice’s agenda as, once again, the Chinese Communist government cracks down on any political dissent or perceived threat.  Recently, a Protestant minister and his wife were incarcerated for printing Bibles.  Internet writers are being jailed if they post something the government doesn’t like.  Dr. Rice stated today that she would “vociferously” raise the issue of human rights with the Chinese.  To highlight religious freedom, President Bush, following in Condi’s footsteps, attended the same church that Dr. Rice attended during a previous visit to China.
Of course, there is speculation that this is just a repeat of a common ploy of the Chinese government – arrest dissidents, pro-democracy activists and religious leaders prior to a summit only to be followed by their release to give the illusion of “progress” made at the summit.  In the past, this has been a successful strategy of the Chinese due to the short attention span of the media.  We’re sure that Dr. Rice’s memory will serve well to foil this strategy in the future and promote REAL change in China – after all the symbol of the Republican party is the elephant!

November 22, 2005: No Rest for Condi as she returns from, literally, "halfway around the world."  Today, she's back at the work of US diplomacy, meeting with the Presidency (a group of leaders) from Bosnia-Herzegovina after they lay a memorial wreath for State Department diplomats killed in that country in 1995.  Later, there will be an "Open Skies" treaty signed with Bosnia-Herzegovina followed by a luncheon in honor of the Dayton Peace Accords.
This afternoon, Dr. Rice is having a closed meeting with four US governors -- two of whom are female.  Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS), Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Governor Sonny Perdue (R-GA), and Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS) are meeting with the Secretary of State, but no agenda has been publicly announced.
On a positive note, at least Dr. Rice returned from this trip after Sunday, so that she doesn't have to do the Sunday talk show circuit while recovering from jet lag.


November 22, 2005: The Situation Room.
Wolf Blitzer, CNN's distinguished, and oh-so intellectually sexy, political anchor, called on his Internet savvy reporter, Abbi Tatton, with her brains, beauty and classy British accent after an interview with Dr. Rice this afternoon to highlight our "unauthorized" activities to draft Dr. Rice for the Presidency in 2008.  Watch the excerpt below.  This pair, compared to Hannity and Colmes, is almost enough to make us switch from Fox News to CNN!




 

Excerpt from Situation Room

November 24, 2005: Happy Thanksgiving!
This year, we have so much to give thanks for.  First, our thoughts, prayers and gratitude goes out to all US military and civilian personnel, many of whom are working far from home -- away from family and friends today -- defending our nation.  We are thankful for our own families and hope that you are with your loved ones today.  Next, we are thankful to live in a country that allows us express ourselves politically and to have leaders, like Dr. Rice, of whom we can be proud.
Of course, no Thanksgiving would be complete without turkey.  So, following in the footsteps of Patrick Ruffini's website with polling techniques that persistently list Dr. Rice as a "fantasy candidate," our Thanksgiving "turkey" is Hugh Hewitt, nationally syndicated radio show host and Constitutional Law Professor, who is duplicating this technique on his website as well.  We couldn't resist, and visited to vote and see the results.  Of course, after more than 5000 votes cast as of this morning, Dr. Rice was winning with 40% of the vote.  Her nearest competitor, Rudy, was under 11%.

November 25, 2005: Black leaders in Florida switch to GOP.
In a Washington Times article today, Brian DeBose reported that two prominent leaders of the NAACP in Florida, Darryl E. Rouson, a past president of the St. Petersburg NAACP, and Derrick Wallace, the current president of the Orange County NAACP have registered as Republicans in the past two months.  Mr. Rouson, who said he learned that not one black circuit court judge had been appointed during 24 years of Democrats in the Florida governor's mansion, went on to make some rather candid observations:
"I saw that the mayor for eight years here in Pinellas County, who was a Democrat, had given only lip service to inner-city economic development,.  The current Republican mayor, Rick Baker who was re-elected two weeks ago with 90 percent of the black vote, gave immediate attention to development and worked closely with black businessmen ....because we are 85 percent in one party, when Republicans are in power we are a beggar race, and when the Democrats are in power we are a beggar race, because they take us for granted."
Under the leadership of Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman, the Republican party has been making a concerted effort to attract black leaders to the "Party of Lincoln."  This summer he came to Florida as part of his "Give Us a Chance and We'll Give You a Choice" outreach tour with minorities.

November 29, 2005: Hard Line on Terrorists.
Dr. Rice, in an interview with USA Today, stated her support for pre-emptive arrests and detention.
You can't allow somebody to commit the crime before you detain them because if they commit the crime, then thousands of innocent people die.
She also reaffirmed her belief that US Forces in Iraq will come home as Iraqi forces improve their capabilities.
The point that I was making was simply that Iraqi security forces are getting better. And the President has always said that when Iraqis can stand up, we'll be ready to stand down.

Later tonight, Dr. Rice will be featured on an ABC Barbara Walters Special, The Ten Most Fascinating People of 2005.

November 29, 2005: Condi Landslide!
Although we "honored" Constitutional Law Professor and radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt as our Thanksgiving "turkey" since he listed Dr. Rice as a "fantasy" candidate during his Thanksgiving 2008 Presidential Straw Poll, we are happy to report the results.  With 12953 votes cast, Dr. Rice, when included in the balloting, received 38.6% of the vote.  Rudy came in with a mere 10%.  The rest of the of the "political pygmies" (so dubbed by Dick Morris) were in the single digits.  It seems to us that the only "fantasies" in this poll were the presidential aspirations of all the other candidates.