The first question Condoleezza Rice received at the meeting was one about her “political future.” She responded by saying that she was not interested in more government service at this point — that she wanted to return to California and write a book that reflected on her time and work in the Bush administration. So, she is telegraphing a “no” about the possibility of a Vice Presidential possibility.
Others still argue that one does not talk serious foreign policy matters with the Wednesday Group Meeting without wanting to also telegraph that one might be interested in political futures. In other words, though saying she is not interested in the Vice Presidential slot on a McCain ticket, Condoleezza Rice might be convinced at some point to give up her near California dreams if “necessity” required it.
I won’t go into more of what she said in the meeting — but can say that she gave a tour de force discussion of America’s global foreign policy and national security positions. She talked about everything from North Korea to China to Iran to Iraq to Israel/Palestine. She talked about military-sculpted policies and diplomatic-sculpted policies.
And by all accounts I have heard, her performance was stunningly good, very well received by one of the major bastions of American conservative power players, and that she “won them over,” according to one source.
She spoke for 20 minutes and stayed there for 50. She took lots of questions — and left no one with the impression that this was just about selling President Bush’s next nine months in the foreign policy game.
— Steve Clemons
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