Why Condoleezza Rice Should Be Deemed the Most Influential Person of 2006

Condoleezza Rice is one of the smartest people in Washington D.C. and likely one of the smartest in the world. Over the last two years Rice has served as Secretary of State taking over from Colin Powell. She is also the first African American women to serve as Secretary of the State. Rice's position as Secretary of State makes her one of the most powerful people and someone that has President Bush's ear.

Growing up in the late 50s and 60s Condoleezza Rice knows first hand about racial segregation. Resulting from her parents upbringing and segregation Rice instilled in her a determination to be "twice as good" as non-minorities and to fight against adversity. This determination formed the drive that allowed her to earn her B.A. in political science by the time she was 19 years all graduating Phi Beta Kappa. That Determination also drove her further into learning where she ultimately would receive her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at Denver.

Having served in a number of different political positions throughout the years Condoleezza Rice has proven time and time again that she is the go-to when it comes to foreign affairs. When the wall in Germany and the fall of the Soviet Union was in the news Rice was there in the middle of it all; meeting with presidents, diplomats and dignitaries and helping with the re-unification of Germany. When the president wants information concerning a foreign country (especially the Soviet Union) he turns to Rice for that information before anyone else.

It can be argued that President Bush is the reason for our involvement in Iraq, but it is Condoleezza Rice's belief and encouragement that has lead Bush on this Issue. Rice been kept the view that we should go after al-Qaeda and the "rogue states" that support them.

Influencing Presidents and other politicians is only part of what makes Rice the most influential. She served on or is serving on a number of University and business boards over the last 30 years. She served on the board of J.P. Morgan Chase on its International Advisory Council, the Charles Schwab Corporation and Hewlett Packard. She is a senior fellow at Stanford on International Studies and for Hoover Institution. Being a specialist on the Soviet Union she has given lectures at Berkeley-Stanford. She has served on as Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club of America and was also one of the founding board members for the Center for a New Generation.

No matter where she goes, what she says or how her policies and activities seem to bother some people both in and out of politics her over all approval rating has maintained high. Rice's influence has stretched across almost every country borders with only a few refusing to heed to her advice and input.

Cuba's Fidel Castro has strongly refused to support any and all attempts of changing government policy within Cuba. Iran is another country that refuses change of and has blocked, like Castro any and all attempts by the United States and Rice to improve those countries economical and political positions. Yet despite these facts Rice continues to push forward with plans on finding ways to implement those improvements, plans that so far stop short of actual invading with military force.

Upon browsing the internet for more information concerning Condoleezza Rice you will find at least one site that is pushing Rice to run for President. With her influence and her track record in politics she very likely would be an overwhelming winner if she should choose to run. Despite her refusal or interest in becoming president there are a number of world leaders voicing their support if she was to run. John Howard the Prime Minister of Australia and Russian President Vladimir Putin have both voice their support, as has Laura Bush and former White House spokesmen Scott McCellan.

Make no mistake about it as long as George Bush is President, Condoleezza Rice will have his ear. Even with the newly elected congress Condoleezza Rice will have control of what they do concerning world political decisions. Rice will continue to be the go-to person on all matter Russia and the world. It would almost be safe to say that when Cuba finally is open to a democratic form of government Condoleezza Rice will be at the center of leading that reform. These are just a few of the things that have and will continue to make Condoleezza Rice the most influential person of 2006 and beyond.