Candidates for President in 2008--Who's Needed in an Era of Terrorism?

Lee Ellis

Being a product of journalism, I try to watch all the news programs available, especially those that may have interviews with potential candidates for a future presidency. One characteristic has been showing up that makes some candidates more capable of holding a national office than others in a world of terrorism.

This proved true especially in two recent interviews on Sunday news programs. One had Chris Wallace interviewing Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House -- 1995-1999 and Senator Joe Biden, Jr. of Delaware. The other had Tim Russet interviewing our Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

Newt Gingrich was able to give cogent as well as historically correct views on the dangers in the Middle East to which Biden agreed. But when it came to elaborating on the subject, it was clear that Newt was thinking for himself, based on what had happened just minutes earlier and on his complete knowledge of history. Senator Biden simply fell back on old liberal talking points as written by staff.

Dr. Rice was on the stand for almost a half hour as Tim Russet acted more like a prosecuting attorney presenting "evidence" to the jury in the form of news clippings as he tried to prove, in an accusatory demeanor, that this witness was wrong in the past and was lying now.

Not only did Dr. Rice answer him quickly and directly, she proved his facts and evidence to be wrong. She even caught him in taking some quotes out of context and made a point of it. I have never seen anyone counteract Mr. Russet in such a strong way. Condi knew her facts and was able to deliver them in a believable manner!

To me, this is the main difference between all candidates, regardless of party affiliation. They either rely on their own personal knowledge of history and events or they are forced to use staff-written talking points.

Only two candidates have stood out way above all others as far as depth of knowledge for the job of President in a war-torn world is concerned --- Gingrich and Rice. Looking at a June Gallup poll, it shows that the top four Republicans that are acceptable to the voters are Rudy Giuliani 73; Condoleezza Rice 68; John McCain 55; Newt Gingrich 45. Following them with lower numbers are Bush (Jeb), Frist, Allen, Cheney, Pataki and Romney in that order.

Who is Newt? His official biography reads, in part:

Gingrich, Newton L., born, June 17, 1943; attended school at various military installations; B.A., Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., 1965; M.A., Tulane University, New Orleans, La., 1968; Ph.D., same university, 1971; teacher, West Georgia College, Carrollton, 1970-1978; elected as a Republican to the Ninety-sixth and to the nine succeeding Congresses.

Who is Condi? Her official biography reads, in part:

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, became the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, in January 2001. In June 1999, she completed a six year tenure as Stanford University's Provost. As Provost she was responsible for a $1.5 billion annual budget and the academic program involving 1,400 faculty members and 14,000 students. She was also a member of the Center for International Security and Arms Control from 1981-1986. She has written three books about Germany, Russia and Czechoslovakia.

Born November 14, 1954, she earned her bachelor's degree in political science, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Denver in 1974; her master's from the University of Notre Dame in 1975; and her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver in 1981.

What these sterile bios do not tell us is what is inside each person. If we have read their books and listened to them carefully, we might see that they are genuine cognoscenti, true experts in history, knowledgeable of what works and does not work. They are leaders who can stand up to anyone. They know and understand diplomacy, but more importantly, they have the common sense needed to deal with reality. While Newt has had more Congressional experience, Condi had had more foreign relations experience and is well known and accepted in those circles.

While both would make excellent presidents who would be strong leaders, it depends on whom the party of Howard Dean and Ted Kennedy nominate for President. If it chooses Hillary Clinton, then only a smart woman can defeat her. A man will lose! Only Dr Rice can outdo her on TV and, let's face it, the 2008 presidency is going to depend on TV debates and interviews. Mary Bono suggested, correctly, that even many Republican women will vote for a woman regardless of party.

The media has also proved by its coverage of Hillary's 2004 Senate race and TV debates with Rick Lazio, that it will let no man beat her. Many feel strongly that the US needs its first woman President. If Hillary is nominated as the Democrat candidate, expect another Clinton presidency and all it will entail for eight solid years -UNLESS - Dr. Condoleezza Rice is nominated as the Republican choice. Those TV debates will be electrifying and Hillary will go down to defeat but a woman will reign!

If Hillary is not nominated or Dr. Rice refuses to run, then a good choice may well be Newt Gingrich.

There are those who say, and I am also guilty of this, "But some might not be electable because people want an "Average Joe," as their choice of candidates, one to whom they can relate and have a beer with. There was Bill with his saxophone, Jimmie with his peanuts, even George W. who was said to be only average in school.

Perhaps it is now time for people to realize we have had enough ordinary people; we need some extraordinary people to become leaders to save us from today's threats. As Paul Harvey has said many times, "If I have to have brain surgery or travel in a plane, I want neither an ordinary surgeon nor an ordinary pilot; I want the best of each that we have in this world!"

I say Amen to that!

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Lee Ellis is a retired journalist and narrator, formerly with both CBS and Gannett (USA Weekend). He was also a combat veteran of WWII, having fought in the South Pacific invasions. He had the pleasure of interviewing Ronald Reagan as an actor and then later working to help him become Governor of California. At the age of 80, he is keeping busy writing and doing free lance narrations for radio and television. He is an active member of Rotary and the VFW.

indiolee@dc.rr.com