The Bush Diplomacy Surge (Rice and Obama)

Time ^ | 7/31/08 | MASSIMO CALABRESI

[Dawnsblood]

A few days before he left on his eight-country world tour, Barack Obama wanted to discuss the trip with an old contact in Washington: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Obama's phone call was in part a courtesy, but over three years of occasional phone conversations, the two have quietly discussed everything from foreign aid to the Middle East and nuclear proliferation. Obama and Rice have come to have a certain respect for each other, says an Obama aide familiar with their conversations, because both take an intellectual, sober view of foreign affairs. "They've had good exchanges," the aide says. "Does he treat her as someone whom he has respect for? Absolutely. Does he listen to her on occasion? Absolutely."

The little-known Rice-Obama link is just the latest surprise in a summer of unexpected shifts in American foreign policy. Washington has dramatically changed course overseas, agreeing to diplomatic concessions it once derided as softheaded and dangerous--including the possibility of a phased withdrawal from Iraq. The White House has embraced a more active approach to Arab-Israeli diplomacy that it long shunned and has boosted support for Pakistan's government in deference to State Department diplomats, a strategy that involves a renewed effort to capture Osama bin Laden. The shifts amount to an unmistakable effort to clean up President Bush's foreign policy legacy before he exits the stage. "This is bold strategic diplomacy," says former Reagan chief of staff Ken Duberstein, "with an eye to the history books."

[Dawnsblood]

Should we read anything into this? Or is it a typical election year thing?

[RexFamilia]

Typical Time magazine’s BS. Anytime a politician or high ranking gov’t employee goes overseas is briefed by State Dept.

Most of the times the discussions are cordial, unless the politician is a real ass.

[hsalaw]

Oh, puhleeze. We should believe anything from Time? Actually, I thought they’d gone out of business by now.

[cw35]

I suspect it’s a black thing. In an interview I saw, she even declined to say who she would vote for in the election.

I also worry about this latest “diplomacy.” Talking with Iran, paying NK before they comply, giving their blessing to Hezbollah being included in the Lebanese gov’t, pushing Israel, etc., etc.

There is no question Rice is driving this and I suspect that she is trying to make things easier for The One.

[GloriaJane]

Those people will do anything to try to pump obama up.

Funny thing. The democrats wouldn't have to work so hard to try to pump obama up if they had just found themselves a half way decent candidate.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Afghanistan was liberated from evil tyrants in one of the most ingenious campaigns of history that saw Special Forces leading irregular troops on horseback and spooks delivering suitcases of cash to warlords by helicopter. Iraq was ultimately stabilized first with bullets and bombs then later by winning over former enemies—war-weary Iraqis who clearly saw the difference between American forces and the bloodthirsty al Qaeda. All this in the strategic hub of the Mideast that sits on the most accessible high-grade crude in the region. Four million barrels a day could be flowing sometime in 2009. These wars persuaded Libya’s government to scrap their WMD programs and open their oil fields to U.S. companies for the first time in decades.

For all of this to work the Bush Administration first had to flip Pakistan to the War on Terror cause and strike an American alliance with India to better position the U.S. as an arbitrator between these ancient enemies.

There are good days and bad days for American fortune in that part of the world but it seems the good days are getting longer. Diplomats are fine as long as they hold a pen in one hand and a sword in the other.

[eclecticEel]

Washington has dramatically changed course overseas, agreeing to diplomatic concessions it once derided as softheaded and dangerous--including the possibility of a phased withdrawal from Iraq.

Who writes this drivel? Do they really think that the Bush doctrine was to stay in Iraq until the end of time? Nothing has changed, as the security situation improves soldiers will be coming home.

[karnage]

Yeah, once you win the war, you don’t need as many boots on the ground. “Phased withdrawal” my ass. Victory and de-mobbing.

[OKIEDOC]

Yikes, The Narcissistic One Messiah had thousands of conversations with Rice.

I am not a Rice person and do not believe she has done all that great a job.

I suppose Obamessiah told her just what mistakes she was making and how to remedy any problems her and Bush couldn't handle, what a load of horse chit.

[AmericaUnited]

Obama and Rice have come to have a certain respect for each other, says an Obama aide familiar with their conversations, because both take an intellectual, sober view of foreign affairs

What total pathetic rot! Bambi said Iran was a small country that was harmless before his handlers spanked him.

[Soliton]

They mention Rice several times but don’t seem to have contacted her for the article. They do quote an Obama aide however who says that Rice respects Obama. That settles it for me.

[Carley]

I’m not the least bit surprised that they two speak on occasion.

That the O’s team would choose to characterize Dr. Rice’s opinion of O is not surprising either given their hubris.

On another note, I have long felt that Dr. Rice, like her predecessor sees everything thru the prism of her color.

[Waco]

The next congress needs to start an entirely volentary act in which each nation concludes an agreement with us which outlines what goes and what don’t. Nations that refuse will not be allowed to visit here more than 30 days in 5 yrs. and be informed that they better watch their mouth.

[section9]

You’ll notice that there was not one direct quote from a State official connected with Rice.

This article was a complete plant from the Obama crowd to pump him up, primarily because Condi had to maintain her professed neutrality as Secretary of State as to who she would vote for. It’s complete horsecrap.

Be Seeing You,

Chris