I find that the great majority of public servants across the entire political spectrum come because they believe in the United States and they want to change the world. Condoleezza Rice More Quotes by Condoleezza Rice More Quotes From Condoleezza Rice I'm actually genuinely optimistic about the United States and what's possible in the United States. And when you're out here, you see Americans across racial and economic and socioeconomic lines working together. And you maybe get a little bit less cynical than when you sit in the seat of kind of the epicenter of it all. Condoleezza Rice cynical optimistic working-together I really wish that we had passed a comprehensive immigration bill because that would've really helped our country. Condoleezza Rice immigration wish country I really believe that you can. Not only do I think it is a part of public service to help young people find their way, just as professors had helped me find mine, but I've been very involved in K-12 education issues. I started a program back in 1992 called the Center for a New Generation, an afterschool enrichment program. Condoleezza Rice issues believe thinking We know that there are unaccounted-for Scud and other ballistic missiles in Iraq. And part of the problem is that, since 1998, there has been no way to even get minimal information about those programs except through intelligence means. Condoleezza Rice iraq information mean It's so much a part of me that it's almost hard to describe myself in the absence of [faith]. Condoleezza Rice describe-myself hard absence ...if you are overdressed, it is a comment on them. If you are under dressed, it is a comment on you. Condoleezza Rice comment ifs My parents elected me president of the family when I was 4. We actually had an election every year and I always won. I'm an only child, and I could count on my mother's vote. Condoleezza Rice mom mother children I don't like anything that's "just an escape." To me the best part of golf is that, unlike my tennis game, I can actually get better. I've probably reached my plateau in tennis, but in golf I have a lot of room for improvement. I really enjoy working on my game. I like practicing. I chart my rounds. Condoleezza Rice tennis games golf Once a month I play with a chamber music quartet. I play almost no solo music anymore because I so enjoy the interaction. The members of my quartet have become some of my best friends and so I really enjoy it now in ways that I didn't before. Condoleezza Rice my-best-friend play way We need a common enemy to unite us. Condoleezza Rice historical enemy needs The American Founding Fathers gave us courts, independent jurists. They left room for civil society, which meant that citizens could directly associate in order to bring pressure on their governments. And they gave us a free press. They understood that you might have in the presidency someone who wanted to arrogate power into themselves. And they believed that was dangerous, having just experienced King George. And so they built a balanced system. Condoleezza Rice dangerous independent father Democracy is the most realistic way for diverse peoples to resolve their differences, and share power, and heal social divisions without violence or repression. Condoleezza Rice democracy differences way I know that people look at my life and ask, "How can I achieve some of those things?" So, I suppose in that sense, yes, I'm a role model. But I try to think of myself more as a mentor, as somebody who I hope young people feel comfortable approaching or writing to. Condoleezza Rice writing people thinking But in terms of Saddam Hussein being there, let's remember that his country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part of his country. We are able to keep arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt. Condoleezza Rice military doe country I was very proud and grateful to be the first African-American woman in the position. I thought it said a lot about our country that we had back-to-back African-American Secretaries of State, Colin Powell and then me. I also thought it said a lot about President Bush that he didn't see limits on the highest ranking diplomat in terms of color. It's a hard job, but really the best one in government. Condoleezza Rice grateful jobs country NATO is built on security, but it's also built on values. Condoleezza Rice nato values security I've never really been a workaholic. I work very hard, but I also enjoy playing. I think it's important to have a balanced and well-rounded life. Condoleezza Rice workaholic important thinking I'm a huge proponent of exchanges, student exchanges, cultural exchanges, university exchanges. We talk a lot about public diplomacy, .. It's extremely important that we get our message out, but it's also the case that we should not have a monologue with other people. It has to be a conversation, and you can't do that without exchanges and openness. Condoleezza Rice important messages people Everywhere that I go in the world, people desperately look to American leadership in all of their world's most difficult problems. You can look at any region of the world and the United States is still the country to which those regions look for leadership. Condoleezza Rice united-states country people When I said I had always hoped to marry in my race, I really do mean that. That doesn't mean I absolutely wouldn't marry outside of it, but there's a culture and traditions to maintain, and I have great pride in them, and I always thought it would be wonderful to share that with somebody of my race. Condoleezza Rice pride race mean
