[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 7 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFIRMATION OF DR. CONDOLEEZZA RICE TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE 
                             UNITED STATES

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I have followed closely both the 
confirmation hearing of Dr. Rice before the Foreign Relations Committee 
and the floor debate on her nomination. After considerable reflection, 
I have decided to vote in favor of Dr. Rice's confirmation, although I 
must state for the record that I do so with some reservations.
  I intend to support her nomination primarily because I believe the 
foreign policy of the United States must reflect a spirit of 
bipartisanship. Amidst the complex challenges that we face in the war 
on terrorism, this country cannot afford enduring divisions on 
international issues. We must return to common ground, not least so 
that the rest of the world recognizes our single purpose and our 
resolve. I should note, parenthetically, that restoring that lost unity 
depends equally upon the majority party, as upon my party.
  Dr. Rice has the credentials to be Secretary of State. As National 
Security Adviser, she has proven an eloquent advocate for the 
administration's policies. At her confirmation hearing, she made clear 
our need for effective diplomatic engagement worldwide. I welcomed that 
emphasis. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Rice has the President's utmost 
confidence--this will, I am certain, be an asset in her dealings with 
other nations, as well as in working with other agencies in our own 
Government.
  My reservations about Dr. Rice stem not from doubts about her 
abilities, but rather from my concerns about her role in developing 
U.S. policy toward Iraq and in characterizing the threats posed by Iraq 
prior to the conflict. I have concluded that many of the 
administration's statements on Iraqi weapons, including those of Dr. 
Rice, were simply not underpinned by the intelligence available. That 
is troubling, as was Dr. Rice's failure, during the confirmation 
hearing, to acknowledge that mistakes were made, not only in the 
conduct of the war and its aftermath, but in the policies that led us 
into it.
  This goes directly to the question of accuracy and accountability--
whether this administration will take responsibility for its decisions 
and learn from the past, so as not to repeat the same errors in future. 
I believe that the decision to go to war in Iraq was wrong. 
Nevertheless, despite great skepticism among the American people about 
Iraq, President Bush was reelected. We must now go forward together to 
achieve stability in Iraq, to bring our forces home, and to restore 
American credibility at home and abroad.
  The dubious decisions, not the nominee, concern me; however, I will 
not oppose Dr. Rice because I disagree with the administration's 
policies. That would not be conducive to the bipartisan foreign policy 
that I believe is crucial. Rather, I look forward to working with Dr. 
Rice to forge consensus on a more balanced approach to national 
security issues.

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