As I write, Laura Bush is giving a news briefing on the Myanmar. She's calling for world attention on Myanmar, and reaching beyond just humanitarian relief, commenting on the challenges posed by the country's corrupt, oppressive military junta. Burma has long been one of the First Lady's pet issues. Mrs. Bush is a vocal supporter of imprisoned Nobel laureate, and democratically elected Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is very rare to see Laura Bush in the White House Briefing Room. For the last seven years, she has stayed almost completely behind the scenes. Today's briefing could have been handled by any number of officials in the Bush Administration, and her speaking to the issue was likely intended to demonstrate her devotion to humanitarian relief and her opposition to the junta. Laura Bush handled herself very well.

If I were a GOP operative, I would constantly advocate for a greater public role for Mrs. Bush. Consider the following factors: (1) Her husband's approval rating is hovering around 30%; (2) As much as many liberals love Michelle Obama, far too many Americans see her as an angry black woman who isn't proud of her country; (3) it helps Republicans to continually use the stand up line "Do you really want Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do?"; (4) Cindy McCain looks more like a First Lady than any other First Lady in History.

Because of the last factor, more than any other, elevating the role a first lady can play, and perhaps even should play, in public life only helps John McCain. One reasonable strategy for the Republicans going forward is to elevate the public roles of both Laura Bush and Cindy McCain.

Labels: 2008, Augur, republican politics, strategy and tactics

The following was posted at the Huffington Post by Joshua Roman, a friend of Urbanagora:

New reports demonstrate that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice played a pivotal role in the approval of "enhanced interrogation techniques," which are, by any definition but the Administration's, torture. This comes shortly after reports of Rice spending the last few weeks aggressively seeking to become Senator John McCain's running mate. Together, these reports beg the following question: How could John McCain ask Condi Rice to be his running mate, when were she to succeed him, the U.S. would almost certainly engage in torture?

McCain's opposition to torture is far more than a political position. His opposition is elemental. It is seared in his mind and scarred in his flesh - a public morality born of private tragedy.
Following the outcry over Abu Ghraib, Rice was approached by CIA officials and asked for her support for the continued use of "enhanced interrogation techniques." According to the ABC Report, "Then-National Security Advisor Rice, sources said, was decisive. Despite growing policy concerns -- shared by Powell -- that the program was harming the image of the United States abroad, sources say she did not back down, telling the CIA: 'This is your baby. Go do it.'"

These discussions took place at a meeting of the Principles Committee, which included Vice President Cheney, former National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell, as well as CIA Director George Tenet and Attorney General John Ashcroft. Then-Attorney General Ashcroft, who is hardly a humanitarian, was so troubled by these discussions he asked aloud after one meeting "Why are we talking about this in the White House? History will not judge this kindly."

But how will John McCain judge Condi Rice's remarks?

"This is your baby. Go do it."

McCain has said, "only by ensuring that the United States adheres to our international obligations and our deepest values can we maintain the moral credibility that is our greatest asset in the war on terror." How can he reconcile his statement with hers?

The answer may well be McCain sacrificing his morality to bolster his electability. We have already seen evidence of McCain picking political pragmatism over principle on this very issue. And his moral flexibility may give way if he buys into data like the new poll of NY state voters showing a McCain-Rice ticket ahead of a Democratic "Dream Ticket."

And the most important question of all: How will the Americans, and particularly independents, judge John McCain if he adds Rice to his ticket, despite her pivotal role in authorizing torture?

Labels: 2008, Condoleezza Rice, Joshua Roman, McCain, politics, republican politics, torture, Vice Presidential Candidates

Q: When is John McCain like a beauty queen?

A: When he's asked a question about economics.

Tom Trumpinski

Labels: funny videos, republican politics, Tet

"A Giuliani presidency would represent the return and final triumph of the Republicanism that conservatives went into politics to purge from power. A Giuliani presidency would represent repudiation by the party of the moral, social and cultural content that, with anti-communism, once separated it from liberal Democrats and defined it as an institution.

Rudy offers the right the ultimate Faustian bargain: retention of power at the price of one's soul."

Read all of the article here .

My prediction for New Hampshire: Romney over Rudy by 10 points, Ron Paul in third place (causing everyone in the party to freak out) followed by McCain. Fred in fifth, formally ending his candidacy.

Tom

Labels: republican politics, Tet