Post by Moses on Jan 26, 2005 4:04:17 GMT -5
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California warmly embraced Ms. Rice; the two are friends from Ms. Rice's days as provost of Stanford University. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Democrat of Connecticut, praised Ms. Rice as highly qualified. "The world knows that she has the president's trust and confidence," Mr. Lieberman said.
www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/politics/26diplo.html?th=&oref=login&pagewanted=print&position=
Lieberman spoke in support of Bush's nomination of Rice on Senate floor : thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r109:14:./temp/~r109Bmp32A::
...nominee deserves the benefit of the doubt and our responsibility is to determine whether the nominee is fit for the position for which the President has nominated him or her, and whether the nominee, in our judgment, will serve in the national interest.
Of course, I conclude that Dr. Condoleezza Rice met that standard at least and much more.
Second, this element of the context in which this nomination is put before us. We are at war. It is a war unlike any we have ever fought before. Here I speak of the world war with Islamic terrorism. It is joined on battlefields in places like Iraq, of course, but it is being fought in the shadows and corners against an enemy that is driven by fanaticism and acts without regard to human life--others or their own.
I embrace the best tradition of American foreign policy that says and always has said that partisanship should end at the Nation's shores. Note this: It doesn't say policy differences should end; it doesn't say ideological differences should end; it says partisanship should end at the Nation's shores, particularly so when our Nation is engaged in war, a global war on terrorism, a war in Iraq in which Americans have lost their lives in the cause of freedom and in protection of our security.
What I wish to say here is that the nomination of Secretary of State in a second term of a President naturally is an opportunity, appropriately, for people to raise questions about the foreign policy of that administration. But in the final analysis, I hope it is also an opportunity around this very qualified nominee for us to come together and say to one another and to the world, both our enemy and our allies, that in the final analysis Americans will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism, against the enemy in pursuit of the freedom and liberty and opportunity that Dr. Rice spoke about in her opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee and that President Bush spoke about in his inaugural address last week.
One of the great strengths which Condoleezza Rice will bring to the office of Secretary of State is that the world knows she has the President's trust and confidence. I respect the right of any of my colleagues, of course, to reach a different decision today and to oppose this nomination, but I hope and believe that the Senate today across partisan lines will resoundingly endorse this nomination and send the message to friend and foe alike that while we have our disagreements, ultimately what unites us around this very qualified nominee in this hour of war is much greater than that which divides us. In times like these, it is important that the world not only know that this Secretary of State has the ear of the President, but that she has, if you will allow me to put it this way, America's heart--a heart that beats with the freedom and security and opportunity that we dream of for our own people and for the people of the world.
In the world today, we face a time of grave peril but also great promise. It is in many ways, it seems to me, like the time our predecessors faced after the Second World War at the outbreak of the Cold War. As then, now it is a hostile ideology which threatens freedom around the world as terrorism has replaced communism as liberty's foremost foe. Now, as then, it is the United States that must show leadership and resolve as the world's strongest nation in the face of this danger from terrorism to life and liberty--not just ourselves but everyone who does not exactly agree with the terrorists. Now, as then, the President and Members of Congress must depend on the advice and counsel of the Secretary of State as we craft the policies with an unblinking resolve that will rally our friends and rattle our enemies, that will diminish--we pray, eliminate--the perils we face and realize the extraordinary promises of our time.
The very first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, once wrote:
We confide in our strength without boasting of it. We respect that of others without fearing it.
Jefferson's 18th century insights will serve us well in the face of the 21st century threats we confront. I know Dr. Rice understands and appreciates that well.
Economic development and trade and foreign direction investment and the spread of modern technology and telecommunications have raised the standard of living throughout the world and connected people of the world as never before. But too many nations and people have been left behind because of failed governments or failed economies. They have become breeding grounds for terrorists who threaten us all.
Today, there is hope. Members of democracy are beginning to glow where that powerful light has existed little or none before. The Afghans and the Palestinians have recently held successful elections. This Sunday, Iraq will hold a historic democratic election. I know the circumstances are difficult there, but having been there myself just a few weeks ago I can speak with some confidence that the turnout will be large and the affirmation of the Iraqi people for a better and freer future will be clear.
Whether these embers grow into beacons for the rest of the Arab world or fade into dark and cold will depend uniquely upon strong, skillful American leadership and diplomacy. I conclude that Dr. Condoleezza Rice is capable of such leadership.
Nuclear proliferation threatens the world as Iran and North Korea and others strive to develop deadly weapons which will make the arms race of the Cold War look sane in comparison. In response to these dangers, President Bush in his inaugural address and Dr. Rice in her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week have set down some basic principles which will guide our foreign and defense policy. They are based on values and hopes that have defined America: freedom, opportunity, faith, and community.
Let me read a paragraph of Dr. Rice's opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee last Tuesday:
In these momentous times, American diplomacy has three great tasks.
First, we will unite the community of democracies in building an international system that is based on our shared values and the rule of law.
Second, we will strengthen the community of democracies to fight the threats to our common security and alleviate the hopelessness that feeds terror.
Third, we will spread freedom and democracy throughout the globe. That is the mission that the President has set for America in the world--and a great mission of American diplomacy today.
Let me read a few words from President Bush's inaugural last Thursday:
We are led by events and common sense to one conclusion. The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world. This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary. Freedom by its nature must be chosen and defended by citizens and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. Democratic reformers facing oppression, prison or exile can know America sees you for who you are--future leaders of your free country. The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe, as Abraham Lincoln did, that those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and under the rule of a just God cannot long retain it.
These principles and policies are neither Republican nor Democratic; they are American. In fact, the words spoken by President Bush last Thursday could just as easily have been spoken by some of the great Democratic Presidents such as Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and John F. Kennedy. In fact, similar words were spoken by each of those Democratic Presidents at times of crisis--times of crisis similar in many ways to our own.
I hope, therefore, that we will now come together to implement those principles and policies in a way that will spread hope and security and build bridges throughout the world, that the President will reach out to Members of both parties in Congress, and we in turn will reach out halfway at least and meet him to implement these stirring, uniquely American goals and policies and principles with real programs that are effective public diplomacy and outreach of economic development of trade, of rule of law, of ultimately, most importantly, the spread of freedom and democracy. I conclude that Dr. Condoleezza Rice is uniquely prepared by ability and experience to lead this effort as Secretary of State.
[blah blah blah sacarine polemic etc-- what a great country and we need to spread our greatness throughout the world etc, hijacking MLK, etc -rest at link]
www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/politics/26diplo.html?th=&oref=login&pagewanted=print&position=
Lieberman spoke in support of Bush's nomination of Rice on Senate floor : thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r109:14:./temp/~r109Bmp32A::
...nominee deserves the benefit of the doubt and our responsibility is to determine whether the nominee is fit for the position for which the President has nominated him or her, and whether the nominee, in our judgment, will serve in the national interest.
Of course, I conclude that Dr. Condoleezza Rice met that standard at least and much more.
Second, this element of the context in which this nomination is put before us. We are at war. It is a war unlike any we have ever fought before. Here I speak of the world war with Islamic terrorism. It is joined on battlefields in places like Iraq, of course, but it is being fought in the shadows and corners against an enemy that is driven by fanaticism and acts without regard to human life--others or their own.
I embrace the best tradition of American foreign policy that says and always has said that partisanship should end at the Nation's shores. Note this: It doesn't say policy differences should end; it doesn't say ideological differences should end; it says partisanship should end at the Nation's shores, particularly so when our Nation is engaged in war, a global war on terrorism, a war in Iraq in which Americans have lost their lives in the cause of freedom and in protection of our security.
What I wish to say here is that the nomination of Secretary of State in a second term of a President naturally is an opportunity, appropriately, for people to raise questions about the foreign policy of that administration. But in the final analysis, I hope it is also an opportunity around this very qualified nominee for us to come together and say to one another and to the world, both our enemy and our allies, that in the final analysis Americans will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism, against the enemy in pursuit of the freedom and liberty and opportunity that Dr. Rice spoke about in her opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee and that President Bush spoke about in his inaugural address last week.
One of the great strengths which Condoleezza Rice will bring to the office of Secretary of State is that the world knows she has the President's trust and confidence. I respect the right of any of my colleagues, of course, to reach a different decision today and to oppose this nomination, but I hope and believe that the Senate today across partisan lines will resoundingly endorse this nomination and send the message to friend and foe alike that while we have our disagreements, ultimately what unites us around this very qualified nominee in this hour of war is much greater than that which divides us. In times like these, it is important that the world not only know that this Secretary of State has the ear of the President, but that she has, if you will allow me to put it this way, America's heart--a heart that beats with the freedom and security and opportunity that we dream of for our own people and for the people of the world.
In the world today, we face a time of grave peril but also great promise. It is in many ways, it seems to me, like the time our predecessors faced after the Second World War at the outbreak of the Cold War. As then, now it is a hostile ideology which threatens freedom around the world as terrorism has replaced communism as liberty's foremost foe. Now, as then, it is the United States that must show leadership and resolve as the world's strongest nation in the face of this danger from terrorism to life and liberty--not just ourselves but everyone who does not exactly agree with the terrorists. Now, as then, the President and Members of Congress must depend on the advice and counsel of the Secretary of State as we craft the policies with an unblinking resolve that will rally our friends and rattle our enemies, that will diminish--we pray, eliminate--the perils we face and realize the extraordinary promises of our time.
The very first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, once wrote:
We confide in our strength without boasting of it. We respect that of others without fearing it.
Jefferson's 18th century insights will serve us well in the face of the 21st century threats we confront. I know Dr. Rice understands and appreciates that well.
Economic development and trade and foreign direction investment and the spread of modern technology and telecommunications have raised the standard of living throughout the world and connected people of the world as never before. But too many nations and people have been left behind because of failed governments or failed economies. They have become breeding grounds for terrorists who threaten us all.
Today, there is hope. Members of democracy are beginning to glow where that powerful light has existed little or none before. The Afghans and the Palestinians have recently held successful elections. This Sunday, Iraq will hold a historic democratic election. I know the circumstances are difficult there, but having been there myself just a few weeks ago I can speak with some confidence that the turnout will be large and the affirmation of the Iraqi people for a better and freer future will be clear.
Whether these embers grow into beacons for the rest of the Arab world or fade into dark and cold will depend uniquely upon strong, skillful American leadership and diplomacy. I conclude that Dr. Condoleezza Rice is capable of such leadership.
Nuclear proliferation threatens the world as Iran and North Korea and others strive to develop deadly weapons which will make the arms race of the Cold War look sane in comparison. In response to these dangers, President Bush in his inaugural address and Dr. Rice in her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week have set down some basic principles which will guide our foreign and defense policy. They are based on values and hopes that have defined America: freedom, opportunity, faith, and community.
Let me read a paragraph of Dr. Rice's opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee last Tuesday:
In these momentous times, American diplomacy has three great tasks.
First, we will unite the community of democracies in building an international system that is based on our shared values and the rule of law.
Second, we will strengthen the community of democracies to fight the threats to our common security and alleviate the hopelessness that feeds terror.
Third, we will spread freedom and democracy throughout the globe. That is the mission that the President has set for America in the world--and a great mission of American diplomacy today.
Let me read a few words from President Bush's inaugural last Thursday:
We are led by events and common sense to one conclusion. The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world. This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary. Freedom by its nature must be chosen and defended by citizens and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. Democratic reformers facing oppression, prison or exile can know America sees you for who you are--future leaders of your free country. The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe, as Abraham Lincoln did, that those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and under the rule of a just God cannot long retain it.
These principles and policies are neither Republican nor Democratic; they are American. In fact, the words spoken by President Bush last Thursday could just as easily have been spoken by some of the great Democratic Presidents such as Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and John F. Kennedy. In fact, similar words were spoken by each of those Democratic Presidents at times of crisis--times of crisis similar in many ways to our own.
I hope, therefore, that we will now come together to implement those principles and policies in a way that will spread hope and security and build bridges throughout the world, that the President will reach out to Members of both parties in Congress, and we in turn will reach out halfway at least and meet him to implement these stirring, uniquely American goals and policies and principles with real programs that are effective public diplomacy and outreach of economic development of trade, of rule of law, of ultimately, most importantly, the spread of freedom and democracy. I conclude that Dr. Condoleezza Rice is uniquely prepared by ability and experience to lead this effort as Secretary of State.
[blah blah blah sacarine polemic etc-- what a great country and we need to spread our greatness throughout the world etc, hijacking MLK, etc -rest at link]
