A Better Choice for Sec State

Republicans have all but conceded the office of Secretary of State under presumptive president George W. Bush to retired Army General Colin Powell. The reasons are obvious, political, and a bit racist. 1) Powell is the most respected man in America; 2) Powell has immense national and international stature; 3) Powell is conveniently black.

Unfortunately for Republicans (and potentially the world) is that Powell does not seem too hip on the idea. Since retiring and turning Republican, Powell has devoted himself to lumping people into identifiable categories�Blacks and Others�and promoting early childhood education for those in the first group. In the seven years since he hung up the medals, I do not remember a single instance of Gen. Powell going to bat for the GOP, the Army, or anything else. I do not know where is passion lies, but it sure is not foreign policy.

Because of his liberal social views, I doubt that the world would notice much of a change when Powell relieves Albright. The Clinton Administration�s view of U.N. funded abortions and the like would continue unless W. intervenes. Powell would likely not change the Clinton administration�s international environmental policies, again unless he loses a fight with the new President. On China and Taiwan, Powell�s extremely anti-interventionist views would dictate continued support for most favored nation status for China, delinking human rights, and abandoning Taiwan in its quest for independence and freedom. To Powell, getting along is more important than being right.

On the other hand, Bush has a true foreign policy wonk in his stable. This individual is far more qualified than Powell, having served in national security roles under George W.�s father. Her views of China, communism, and democracy are closer to Ronald Reagan�s than Powell�s. And for those who keep score of such things, in addition to being black like Powell, she is a woman like Albright. In fact, she received her introduction to the joys of foreign policy from Albright�s father.

Condoleezza Rice�s credentials for Secretary of State are unassailable. In reverse order, Dr. Rice served as George W.�s foreign policy adviser, Provost of Stanford University, National Security Council director of Soviet and Eastern Europe affairs from 1989 to 1991. Czech diplomat Josef Korbel, Albright�s father, introduced Rice to Eastern European politics and the tradition conservative view of communism. Rice bought Korbel�s views while Albright rejected them.

To predict Rice�s opinions, look to Henry Kissinger. Rice describes herself precisely as Kissinger describes himself: “I am a realist,” she said in a National Review article last year. She believes that American foreign policy must be based on realism couched by moralism. In other words, you try to get along, but not if it requires surrendering your beliefs. Trade with China, but protect Taiwan. View China as a competitor, not a strategic partner. Use the World Trade Organization to influence China�s policies, not to generate campaign donations.