I Love This Woman

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Condoleezza Rice 08-30-06, DeseretNews.com, Salt Lake City, Utah:

She said she speaks all over the country "and I haven't chosen those places that the policies may be more popular than others, because we're one country. I'll go anywhere that people would want to hear and talk about what we're doing."

Rice warned the convention audience that "the security of our citizens is inextricably linked to the success of freedom and moderation and, yes, democracy in the Middle East." She said because America has gone on the offense, it "is safer, but we are not yet safe."

If Americans remain committed to the cause of establishing democracy in the Middle East, some day people will wonder why there was ever any doubt about the war, Rice said. "Then they will look back and they will say, 'Thank God America stayed the course."'

Rice said as terrorists continue to plot new attacks such as the one recently foiled in London, "we know that now and for many years to come, America and our allies will be engaged in a long war, a war that we can and must win."

Her comments seemed to resonate with the veterans and their spouses who had come from around the country to attend the convention. They burst into applause several times during her speech and gave Rice two standing ovations.