Author: Erik Parker, Torch Staff
Washington Post journalist Glenn Kessler spoke to a group of approximately 30 students and professors on October 22 about his recent book, The Confidante: Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy. Before writing The Confidante, Kessler had almost 10 years of experience at the Washington Post in editing and reporting. Currently, he is a diplomatic correspondent who reports on the United States’ foreign policy.
In his talk, which was part of the Global Affairs/ Diplomacy and World Affairs (DWA) Brown Bag Series, he spoke about current US Secretary of State Rice’s foreign policies.
DWA Professor Derek Shearer introduced Kessler. “You are in for a particular treat because if you want to know how the world really works, we have a man here who can explain it,” Shearer said.
After thanking the DWA Department for the invitation to speak, Kessler began with an anecdote that he felt illustrated what kind of diplomat Rice is. In July 2004, Rice met with a representative from China who spoke for 55 minutes against Rice’s ideas, Kessler said. She rebutted his ideas quickly and left, and for the next eight months purposely and obviously avoided scheduling a meeting with this representative, he continued.
To Kessler, this demonstrated two things. “In public, she is gracious and charming. Behind closed doors, she is tough and direct,” he said.
He went on to explain that his book uses this example and many others to paint a “personality portrait” of Rice. Kessler said that The Confidante is useful for those studying foreign policy and also for those who “just want to know” about the last five years.
“My goal is to be clear-eyed and balanced,” he said. Kessler also said that he makes judgments about what Rice has done right and what she has done wrong.
The author next addressed Rice’s professional relationship with President George W. Bush. Bush has said that “Ms. Rice is like my sister,” Kessler said. “They are completely in sync,” he added.
He then spoke about some of Rice’s shortcomings as National Security Advisor during Bush’s first term as President. “Her options and her opportunities are limited by her performance as National Security Advisor,” he said. He explained the errors that she had made as Advisor, detailing Rice’s roles in affairs in Israel-Palestine, Iran and North Korea. He said that in his book, he also discusses her policies towards Sudan, Europe, the Middle East and other areas.
“The bottom line is that she is a smart, sophisticated diplomat but fundamentally lacks a diplomatic vision,” Kessler said. He then took questions from the audience.
Shears asked about Rice’s ambitions after her position as Secretary of State is over. Kessler said her aides have suggested she might run for Governor of California. He also said she considered Congress in the 1980s, but “she claims not to be a legislative person . . . more executive.”
Another audience member asked how it will be perceived that Rice has stayed with the Bush administration so far. “I think she owes it to the President to stay that long,” Kessler said.
Kessler was asked if thought Rice had enough support in the Republican Party. “Yes,” Kessler said, and added that she is still fairly young—53 on November 14—so she will have 20 more years in her political career. “She still has pretty high approval ratings,” he said.
When asked if Rice has ever expressed regret in her interviews with him, Kessler said, “She never looks back. She doesn’t like to admit mistakes either . . . She wouldn’t speak of mistakes in Iraq.”
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
