Politics

Condoleezza Rice Wows in Speech: You Cannot Lead From Behind

Condoleezza Rice to Republican National Convention: You Cannot Lead From Behind

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice threw her full support behind Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (Getty Images)

TAMPA, Fla. — Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the U.S. must continue to be the most powerful nation on Earth, and that the only way to do so is to first raise its economic standing, with Mitt Romney at the helm.

“The world knows that when a nation loses control of its finances it eventually loses control of its destiny,” Rice said in her address to the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. “They look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human history. That is the true basis of American exceptionalism.”

Offering repeated praise for the Republican presidential and vice presidential nominees, Rice said Romney and Paul Ryan will “rebuild us at home and they will help us lead abroad.”

“They will provide an answer to the question, ‘where does America stand?” she said. “Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have the integrity and the experience and the vision to lead us. They know who we are and what we we want to be.”

Rice took the stage to a huge standing ovation from an audience that remained cheering even after she tried to begin her remarks. Though Rice did not mention President Barack Obama by name, she made an unmistakeable reference to his administration in saying the U.S. can never “lead from behind.”

“If we are not inspired to lead again, one of two things will happen. Either no one will lead and there will be chaos, or someone will fill the vacuum who does not share our values,” Rice said. “My fellow Americans, we cannot be reluctant to lead and you cannot lead from behind.”

The only George W. Bush cabinet member to speak at the RNC, Rice’s remarks came the same night as a tribute video featuring both the younger Bush and his father.

Former Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush, the only Bush family member to attend the convention, said he was pleased with what Rice had to say.

“Loved that she attacked leading from behind, the doctrine of the Obama administration,” Bush said in an email to TheBlaze.

Rice concluded her remarks by saying America “has a way of making the impossible seem inevitable in retrospect.”

“But of course it has never been inevitable – it has taken leadership, courage and an unwavering faith in our values,” she said. “This will be an election of consequence. It just has to be that the freest and the most compassionate country on Earth will continue to be the most powerful.”

Comments (107)

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  • lassiegirldawn
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:29am

    After her last speech and being on 60 minutes, I really admire her parents and her growing up. Glenn told kids to do their lemon aid stands to help them see what they can do for their selves. I had to go do some errands yesterday and cut down a side road. There were three young men probably 9-10 selling lemon aid by the side of the road. We pay our grandson $20.00 a week to clean the hallway bathroom and keep his room clean. Here I run across these kids running their own business. I asked them if they had any government help making their lemon aid stand and they said they did it with money they had worked for to get the supplies. I told them I was impressed and that they were doing the American dream. I said I was proud of what they were doing and ordered a glass of lemon aid. Knowing that I only had a ten dollar bill, because I was on my way to the bank, I gave them the ten. They told me they didn’t have change for a ten and that is when eyes got big. I told them that what they were doing deserved someone paying ten dollars for a glass of lemon aid and to keep up the good work. I pray that will stick in those young men’s minds and that the next big invention can happen because someone thought a glass of lemon aid was worth ten dollars.

    Report Post »  
    • GrayPanther
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:44am

      Good job! Now it’s time to work on your grandson.

      Report Post » GrayPanther  
    • GrayPanther
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:51am

      I was truly impressed with Ms.Rice last night. Having read John Bolton’s book,“ Surrender is Not an Option” I have less of an opinion of her ideology and that of the “W” administration. Non the less, she clearly is head and shoulders ahead of Hillery and the BHO administration.

      Report Post » GrayPanther  
    • LoveTheTruthGuy
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:13pm

      It always seems crazy that the left bashes on Mitt’s success. To me I have no doubt that someone that can always create success for themselves will do a great job. Mitt Romney is a brilliant man and with his kind of get it done attitude he will make a wonderful president. It has already been said but the duo of Romney and Ryan is exactly what America needs right now…people that know how to succeed.

      Report Post »  
  • USALOVER2011
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:45am

    Condi, WOW! what a beautiful speech….Speaking from a heart not from teleprompter. I don’t care what some dumb people said about Pres. George Bush, but, it is one of the smartest thing he did was that he surrounded himself with smart and very capable people! I can’t say the same thing about obummer!

    Report Post » USALOVER2011  
    • realindependent
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 4:22am

      Really a beautiful speech? The woman whom helped lie this country into war? Where are those WMD’s they said were in Iraq. How many U.S. soldiers died in Iraq? How many innocent Iraqi’s died in the Iraq war. For What a tinpot dictator. oh btw our Dictator. Whom had no weapons of mass distruction. As the IAEA inspectors had tole the Bush administaration before he decided to drop bombs on people.

      Also all you tea party people screaming about the deficit. hmmm 2 wars unfunded and tax cuts at the same time for 8 years, and an unregulated wall street. I wonder how this country became broke and in debt.

      And from the speeches i heard from McCain and Condi last night. In which they said Romney agree’s with them. We will be in Iran, Syria and may even start a war with China and Russia. And im sure Romney and Ryan will still have 4 billion in tax cuts for the Rich at the same time.

      If Americans are stupid enough to vote for these Rich war mongering Republicans. It will be Bush all over again. And that worked out so well for us then. Wohhooo Condi lets go to war again…..

      Report Post » realindependent  
    • spikebu
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:04am

      @realindependant…So what is your solution? Don’t vote? Write in someone? If those are your thoughts, you may as well cast your vote for Obama. You want to speed the train to the end of the track and right over the edge. Sorry. I don’t want to jump on board. I’ll go for the slow train I have a hope of halting.

      Report Post »  
    • USNRET04
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:10am

      REALINDEPENDENT…I am sure, when you picked that name, that you thought you would be able to contain and hide your true identity as a Republican hater. You are so busted.

      Report Post » USNRET04  
    • ERP
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:56am

      @realindependent

      I CALL TROLL!

      You wouldn’t even know a good speech if it introduced itself to you and shook your slimy hand. BTW, you bore people with your bumper sticker talking points with no facts to back up your assertions.
      ——————————————————————————————————————————————

      I’m ashamed of @GLENN BECK not even recognizing how good and substantive Dr. Rice’s speech was. Beck acts just like the liberal media with his Bush Derangement Syndrome pouring through his being. Most of the conservative hosts in the early AM we talking about how they didn’t know if Ryan could even top her speech.

      Report Post » ERP  
    • PresidentDowngrade
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:40am

      Condi is in lockstep with Hitlary. Why would she be spewing the same war mongering, Christian killing policies as the Soros loving Hitlary. Heck Hitlary is even starting to look like Soros. Condi is part of the worlds problem and shouldn’t be aggrandized. By the way before you folks start spewing your nonsense of me being a troll and a lib, you are wrong. There is something about Mitt that gives me the willies. I really like Paul Ryan but his voting record is towing the Rhino’s line. Romney/Ryan is our only shot. Lets hope we are all presently surprised…..20,000,000 million people in Syria. 20% are Christians, peaceful Muslims and Jews that will be slaughtered if Hilary/Obama/MCcain and Rice get their way. Let me do the math for you…thats 4,000,000 million people.

      Report Post »  
    • ERP
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:28pm

      @PresidentDowngrade

      What the hell are you blathering about? Sounds like someone is off their meds.

      Report Post » ERP  
  • crusaderx9
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:32am

    Condi has an abundance of intelligence, class, and dignity – awesome speech and even better message!

    Report Post » crusaderx9  
  • Miami
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:16am

    Great speech

    Boiled down

    We need a Leader,
    We need to purge the Union model out of education
    and
    We need to stop blaming others for your short comings

    Report Post » Miami  
  • Verceofreason
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:09am

    People who like to talk to themselves 24/7 belong in strait jackets.
    Both posters and moderators,
    It is with no regret I leave this pathetic site.
    The comedy relief is just gone. Gone.
    It’s all just too sad.

    Report Post » Verceofreason  
  • HaroldHeard
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:54am

    A great person who I would support; she is smart and gets-it. Thank you Prof. Rice

    Report Post » HaroldHeard  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:54am

    Did none of you catch the NWO stuff from Condi? The awesomeness of the Arab Spring. How great it would be work closer to China. The brave passengers that Bush ordered blown out the sky. Globalism is the bestest thing ever. She creeped me out guys. I won’t lie.

    I don’t know if she was like this before, but man.. I wasn’t getting any Constitutional lessons in government out of that speech.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
    • KissMyAmericanFlag
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:18am

      TY4the alert, thoreau; now I must listen again to her speech since apparently didn’t catch any of the NWO drift… US Constitution, aye!

      Report Post » KissMyAmericanFlag  
    • Miami
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:26am

      NWO

      Yes it started when we kicked England out, then reinforced after World War One and then again after World War Two.

      Hey genius the US has been the New World Order for about 236 years

      Those who want to weaken the US authority around the world are the ones looking for a change to a long failed Globalist ideal also known as Communism

      Report Post » Miami  
    • jcizarter
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 4:42am

      Condi affirmtive action Rice. Yes, NWO, was spewing out of her mouth. She voted for Obama last election, will she vote for him again? She is pro gay marriage, she is pro illegal immigration, come on people read up on her record. You are writing in this blog, ” Oh what a beautiful speech!” What about her policies?
      I am for a tiny Federal Govt. and Condi and her people want to take over our free will.

      Report Post » jcizarter  
    • Zipit
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:46am

      MIAMI! Well put…. I like your take and agree with you! We are and have been the NWO since we declared our independence from English rule! Today‘s NWO agenda of the progressive’s, wish to strip us of our values as Americans and reduce us to the level of socialist/communist failure that exists throughout the world! It is very hard to understand those led by Barack Obama who wish to bring us down to the level of the rest of the world, instead of elevating the rest of the world to prosperity, and the principles of equality and opportunity that we as true Americans believe in!

      Report Post »  
    • bay horse 1
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:10am

      She should have been speaking at the DNC……..Why are people fooled into thinking that Coondi is a Conservative??????Remember when the rubber meets the road it is always black on black…..

      Report Post »  
  • Starla
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:46am

    absolutely <3 'd Paul Ryan!!! But for me, it was Condoleezza Rice whose speech was the most articulate, impassioned, and convincing! The emotion in her voice and facial expression shows how deep her conviction is in what she is saying. I'm proud Alabama is so well represented on the political platform. Huckabee was also awesome and Pawlenty's reference to Obama as the "Tattoo President" was EPIC!!! Yeah….it seemed like a good idea at the time…..

    AND as for the War On Women….War on Women??? Pisshhhh! I am proud that such a diverse group of so many articulate, eloquent, educated, engaged, impassioned, intelligent, strong, and patriotic women have been so well represented.

    Report Post » Starla  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:55am

      And the GOP is on the ascent!! American values > superficial smear and fear.

      This “war on women” is a false narrative. No surprise, as Owebama cannot run on his record.

      Report Post » DarkJello  
    • american_rose_126
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:57am

      Amen!!! Loved Condoleezza’s speech! And NO TELEPROMPTER! Amazing…I am so proud of ALL the Conservative Women on that stage and across this great nation! Stop treating us like a minority or special interest group! We are the heart and soul of this country–and we stand shoulder to shoulder with our men to make this country great!! I am SO sick of the Left trying to intimidate and buy off women–we are NOT cheap! NOR are we ‘easy!’

      Report Post »  
  • Larry E
    Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:11am

    Condi gave a GREAT speech, and really rubbed the progresso-commies noses in it by telling them that race doesn’t matter in this country if you have a vision and willing to work and strive. Something this current crew doesn‘t seem to understand or believe because it’s easier to keep the minorities on the plantation.

    Report Post »  
    • Zipit
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:57am

      Smart, smart woman, smart black woman, smart black republican woman!!!! That’ll get all their panties in a wad!

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:51pm

    …
    Wish Rice had not played the race card. I thought she was better than that.
    I didn’t care for the “couldn‘t eat at the Woolworth’s lunch counter”, “slavery”, “civil war”, “poor Black neighborhoods don’t get quality educations” etc.
    All of our ancestors had to overcome hardships, not just the Blacks.

    Report Post »  
    • Hex_Omega
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:02am

      Oh, Dear God! Did you really take offense to that line? That line was brilliant! In spite of all the barriers that one black girl in segregated Alabama was faced with, she persevered. And you say she played the race card?! Wow… just wow. Some people just can’t be pleased, I guess.

      Report Post » Hex_Omega  
    • cashprize
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:28am

      Knucklehead, she lived it. It was a TRUE testimony of the greatness of the country that inspite of the JIM CROW LAWS written by Democrats, her parents still believe so much in America that it rubbed off on her to the point that she became secretary of State.

      One of the most powerful moments to a black conservatives. Many of us lived it and still are conservatives, because we believe in America dispite the mistakes of some who didn’t.

      Report Post »  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:35am

      God bless everyone, including atheists!

      And God bless Condi and other minorities that truly are the best amongst us!!

      Report Post » DarkJello  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:42am

      Race card? Dipstick. You really should read a book sometime, study history. Reading is fun da mental you know? Did you even watch it? She brought down the house. You cannot be proud of this American who has succeeded far more than most of us? And being from the south in one our most hateful of times? Wow..

      Report Post »  
    • bay horse 1
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:32am

      Wish Rice had not played the race card.

      That is all she has to go on, were she white you would not ever have heard of her…….

      Report Post »  
  • Verceofreason
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:43pm

    Note to Condi:
    You are a failure.
    Every idea and decision you made in office
    has PROVEN to be a mistake.
    First and foremost – invading Iraq -for no legitimate reason.
    Sign, Not an Admirer

    Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • ktmrider1
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:50am

      you should have “signed” obama lover

      Report Post » ktmrider1  
    • bay horse 1
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:54am

      Coondi Rice and intelligence are two things that should never be mentioned in the same sentence, they are complete strangers to each other….

      Report Post »  
  • ktmrider1
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:40pm

    I hope
    condi gets a second stint as sec. of state. her speech was awsome and no teleprompter, hey obumer do you have the intellegance to do that?

    Report Post » ktmrider1  
  • C-Delta Conductor
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:35pm

    Condoleeza Rice gave the most LIBERAL speech of the night, one so liberal that the press will spend the next 24 hour news cycle praising it rather than concentrating on Paul Ryan’s amazing CONSERVATIVE speech.

    Why do we [Republicans] work so hard to shoot ourselves in the foot. The “Compassionate Conservatives” can sit in the back the Tea Party is driving.

    Report Post » C-Delta Conductor  
  • justangry
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:31pm

    Did she talk about all her UN objectives. Maybe the Sea Treaty? Iraq‘s WMD’s… yeah I used to like her, now I really don’t care what she has to say.

    Report Post » justangry  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:51pm

      And we don’t care what you have to say.

      Report Post » therealconservative  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:02am

      Jealous jack-donkeys. These speeches by all of the speakers were as good as it gets. Loved Ryan, Condi, Gov. of N.M. (wonderful lady and I’m so proud of her) What a great night. I’m proud of America
      again once we get that marxist out of the white house and substitute downtrodden beliefs for American beliefs.

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:09am

      Condoleeza Rice She epitomizes the story of the American dream. An American woman who inspires.

      Report Post »  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:37am

      Was it Condi’s job to search Iraq for WMDs??

      If “yes”, then she is to blame. If “no”, then what you be talkin bout??

      Report Post » DarkJello  
    • resme
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:17am

      “Condoleeza Rice She epitomizes the story of the American dream. An American woman who inspires.” Lmao, I swear I heard that exact line from Fox news.

      “And we don’t care what you have to say.” Quit with the mindless attacks. Fact is shes a whore for the CFR and the UN.

      Report Post » resme  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:17am

      justangry
      Well I see that after a 3rd grader schooled you, you now use the I properly. I see it didn’t help your thought process. You need to work on that. Condoleezza Rice is a real lady of honor unlike the POS obama.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:15am

      @TheRealConservative, Ha, I knew you’d end up ducking out on the challenge from the other thread. You did exactly what I said you would.

      @Everyone else, I don‘t know why you’re up in my business when Condi voted for Obama. I’ve never said that the stuff the RNC is saying is wrong, I’ve only stated that their actions never match their rhetoric. Condi is NWO shill, and she LIED numerous times when pitching the war on Iraq. They all did. Bush even admitted that the intelligence wasn‘t there regarding the WMD’s.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • Badmancomith
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:27pm

    Obummer be shovel ready.

    Report Post » Badmancomith  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:09am

      Sure a lot of liberals saying stupid things; what a laugh, Pay no attention to jealous people who still live at home with mommie, because our nations has gone downhill in the last 4 years with bama lying to them. Bama has no idea how to run a Country and his incompetence has shown with lack of jobs (you know what that is, it’s the 3 letter word.)

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:12am

      Shovel ready is probably all he knows, but I wonder if he ever cleaned out a stable? That’s what real men call shovel ready. Not the ploy to throw money at his buddies and pretend he’s helping the nation.

      Report Post »  
  • SolitudeBliss
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:27pm

    All I can say is Condi Rice hit it OUT of the ballpark. Well done, Madam Secretary. You do your Country proud.

    Report Post »  
  • nobull14
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:26pm

    Condo Rice the worst secretary of state other than Hillary Clinton with her romulian Muslim wear I just want to throw up at the Idea that she has done something for are country

    Report Post »  
  • Magyar
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:25pm

    Condi, Condi—What a speech— and without a teleprompter! (mention that to the Communist in the WH).

    Hit‘em long and straight at Augusta Nat’l, Condi!

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:24pm

    Hard to do that when you are borrowing 40 cents of every dollar from your grand kids……..but it sounds good…….

    Report Post »  
  • watersRpeople
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:24pm

    Picture a ship punched full of holes sinking fast with all sorts of blind simpletons standing on the deck saying “We just need to make sure we use top of the line paint for the hull of the ship.” You are between the devil, and the deep blue sea and don’t know it.

    Report Post »  
  • watersRpeople
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:20pm

    Washington is completely out of touch with reality. What a bunch of fruitless whack-jobs.

    Report Post »  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:11pm

    Regarding Paul Ryan’s speech: I’m still speechless! All I can say is WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

    PERFECT!

    Report Post » Tigress1  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:41pm

      Agreed. Both fabulous. I’m so proud of Condi and Paul Ryan almost made me cry with pride.

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:26am

      The only thing people don’t mention is when Obama said “Lead from behind” that does work for his ultimate strategy, retreat, then you ARE leading from behind.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • freedomisasfreedomdoes
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:10pm

    “If we are not inspired to lead again, one of two things will happen. Either no one will lead and there will be chaos, or someone will fill the vacuum who does not share our values,” Rice said. “My fellow Americans, we cannot be reluctant to lead and you cannot lead from behind.”
    “This will be an election of consequence,” Rice concluded. “It just has to be that the freest and the most compassionate country on Earth will continue to be the most powerful.”

    Such an important message!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » freedomisasfreedomdoes  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:29am

      To her. lead means invade, or declare war.
      She was a total failure in the Bush administration. every decision she made was proved wrong.
      If she had any dignity, like Georgie, she’d just disappear.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:10pm

    Which cannot happen if we are bankrupt. We will go bankrupt if we dont cut spending. The GOP’s sacred cow military spending has to be cut. Dont cut defense, cut the offense. We must end the overseas global police force or we will go bankrupt.

    Most of the budget predictions are based on growth and interest rates staying down. We cannot grow if interest rates stay low. We cannot we will go further into debt if interest rates go up. We are in between a rock and hard place. I think our governments plan is the inflate the money. I believe this is the plan all the way. Be ready for 10 dollar gas because its around the corner.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:22pm

      You don’t think. Exactamundo

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • deltaecho
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:23pm

      You can’t win playing defense.
      Go Condi!

      Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:01am

      @del

      Superbowl champions, chess masters, and the Russians fighting the Germans in WW2 disagree.

      I have to ask though, who could even attack us?

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • resme
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:18am

      @mutiny,

      “Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will pledge with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.”
      - Henry Kissinger in an address to the Bilderberger meeting at Evian, France, May 21, 1992.

      Report Post » resme  
  • dogmeat
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:08pm

    CONDOLEEZZA RICE! WOW! SHE is such a great lady and what a Bright STAR she is.

    Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:32am

      If you have not read her memoir you should. She explains what it was like in the south and why she chose to become a Republican. A true story of American exceptionalism.

      Report Post »  
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