Condi coins a new phrase: American Realisim

[maddezmom]

A Foreign Policy, In Two Words

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 8, 2007; Page A17

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, countering criticism that the Bush administration has fundamentally broken with past U.S. foreign policy, asserted in a speech last night that the administration's policies are instead part of a 100-year-old tradition that she labeled "American realism."

"American realism deals with the world as it is but strives to make the world better than it is," Rice told the Economic Club of New York. "More free. More just. More peaceful. More prosperous. Ultimately safer. Not perfect. But better."


Rice used the term "American realism" 16 times in her remarks, an apparent effort to coin a phrase that would resonate long after the administration leaves office in 19 months. It was the first time that Rice has offered an overriding label for the administration's foreign policy since 2000, when, as an adviser to then-Gov. George W. Bush, she wrote an article for Foreign Affairs stressing that a new Republican administration would focus on promoting "the national interest" rather than the interests of the international community.

Under President Bush, U.S. alliances in Europe, the Middle East and Asia have become strained because of policies -- ranging from global warming to Iraq -- that many critics decry as a dangerous shift in the United States' approach to world affairs. Much of Rice's speech appeared intended to address assertions by Democrats that Bush broke with foreign policy traditions when he abandoned many policies pursued by President Bill Clinton on North Korea, the Middle East, global warming and other issues.

more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/07/AR2007060702239.html

[Kiouni]

1. American Surrealism = Bush Foreign Policy

I thinks she effectively started something but it probably isn't going to be what she wants.

[Up2Late]

2. Oh Brother! She is SOOOOO delusional!

Here's the world she's thinking of, but has conveniently forgotten how unwelcome she would have been in this "ideal world."

<http://contentcafe.btol.com/Jacket/Jacket.aspx?SysID=buymusic&CustID=bt0109&Key=0762427736&Type=L&Return=1>

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[Solly Mack]

3. She's a danger to herself and those around her

[Prophet 451]

4. Why do I get the feeling...

... that "American Realism" is going to be very similar to "American Exceptionalism" and almost identical to what BushCo have been doing so far?

[POAS]

5. "American Realism" (pic)

[cassiepriam]

6. MORE PEACEFUL???????

[Demeter]

7. That Phrase Goes Way Beyond Oxymoronic, Esp. From Her Lips

The only thing real about this America is the suffering and destruction it's wreaking at home and abroad.

[blueworld]

8. Usual gummy rice

The only difference between idealism and "realism" is choice. Will to act. "American" interests can't be grossly different from "international" interests. She should review Dr. MLK's speeches on that very issue.

Realism would require her to stop writing and creating inane slogans at least long enough to succeed diplomatically SOMEWHERE on this planet. Frankly, after achieving a terrific education, what are her successes (achieving government office doesn't count). Like * - less than stellar at everything she's touched? Poor National Security Advisor, poor Sec. of State. Monotone whining (similar to Lieberworst) when speaking publicly. Honestly gives me the impression she doesn't know how to do her job unless someone hands her a script.

[maddezmom]

9. Rice: History will rate Bush well

Rice: History will rate Bush well


By The Associated Press
© 2007 The Associated Press

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NEW YORK — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says history will remember President Bush's foreign policy favorably despite current troubles in Iraq, Iran, North Korea and the Middle East

"History's judgment is rarely the same as today's headlines," she said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.

Rice said she believed the world was more dangerous before Bush took office in January 2001 than it is now.

"Six years ago ... it wasn't a very nice world. Al-Qaida was preparing to attack the twin towers, Pakistan was allied with the Taliban, Afghanistan was the base from where al-Qaida was going to operate, the Israelis and Palestinians had given up," she said.

"The Palestinians had walked away from a chance for a Palestinian state, launched the second intifada; (Israel) elected Ariel Sharon who basically said there will never be a Palestinian state and there will be a greater Israel; the North Koreans were cheating on a deal that they had just signed; China and others were indifferent; Iran was cheating on the IAEA out of sight and Saddam Hussein was shooting at our pilots in the no-fly zone and making a mockery of the oil-for-food program and corruption was running rampant in that program."

"That was the world. A worse world? I think so."

more:http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4875016.html