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January 19, 2005

Condoleeza Rice Will Have To Wait To Tackle Pressing Problems

These are some of the foreign policy issues that Condoleeza Rice might like to get to work on right away:

-The continued effort to check and reverse terrorism wherever it might exist.

-Reiterating the president's desire to stay the course in Iraq until Iraqi security forces learn to effectively seek out and kill terrorist wherever in Iraq they might be, as well as kill those attempting to infiltrate in from Iran, Syria, etc.

-North Korea's continued attempts to develop a nuclear weapon.

-Iran's continued attempts of the same (see this for Iran's latest threat).

-Nuclear non-proliferation in general.

-Continued diplomatic efforts to aid the tsunami victims.

-A potentially more threatening China - both economically and militarily.

-The continuing tension between India and Pakistan, always threatening to boil over into perhaps nuclear conflict.

-Africa - the wars and the spread of HIV.

-Russia - encouraging Vladimir Putin to step back from his apparent backslide in the move toward freedom for Russians, and discouraging any meddling in the former Soviet republics such as the Ukraine.

Unfortunately, Condoleeza Rice will not be able to begin work on these, and the MANY, MANY other foreign policy problems facing the United States at present because the Democrats - losers yesterday, today and tomorrow - have decided to delay the final vote on her confirmation until next week.

There is nothing to be gained by delaying the vote on Rice. There is no more information to be obtained, nor do the Democrats plan on questioning her further. This is simply a protest against the administration's Iraq policy. The numerous and grave problems facing America will need to wait. The Democrats, like an infant that has had his or her rattle taken away, are engaged in a temper tantrum.

The Democrats are the gift that keeps on giving to Karl Rove, George W. Bush and the Republican party as a whole, and it is quite a laugh to sit back and watch them continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

However, the humor will cease if a grave crisis suddenly befalls the United States between now and the time that the Democrats finally agree to the final vote on Rice. If that happens, and the American people rightly sense that the nation's means to deal with such a crisis has been impaired by the Democratic party, the political consequences for the Democrats could make November 2, 2004, look like their most wonderful dream in comparison.

Posted at 11:13 PM Pacific