Advertisement

IowaPolitics.com: Thompson cites Powell as potential secretary of state
6/20/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

DES MOINES -- GOP presidential candidate Tommy Thompson said Tuesday night he'd like Colin Powell to help his administration to engage in medical and education diplomacy to improve its standing and image with fellow nations around the word.

Along the campaign trail, at least this early in the game, it isn't common for presidential candidate to float the names of potential cabinent members. However, Thompson did not hesitate Tuesday night when mentioning Powell's name at a U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy gathering at the Des Moines Club.

Thompson spoke of his intentions to continue the same kind of medical diplomacy the United States used when it remodeled a hospital for women and children in Afghanistan and sent a medical ship to Indonesia following the devastating tsunami. It turned nations that possessed ill feelings toward the United States into countries with a newfound respect, Thompson said.

In response to a question, Thompson said he would nominate Powell as his secretary of state. Thompson, the former Wisconsin governor, served with Powell in President George W. Bush's first cabinet. Powell was the secretary of state, and Thompson was health and human services secretary.

"I think he is fantastic," Thompson said.

Following the event, Thompson told the media he has not discussed this with Powell. He added the two men have not talked since they left the Bush administration. If Powell were to decline the post if Thompson wins the presidency, the GOP candidate did not offer a second choice.

"I would be looking for the best and the brightest I could find," Thompson said.

Thompson is the third presidential candidate to speak at the Center for Citizen Diplomacy. He addressed a crowd of nearly 50 people, stressing his accomplishments in the Bush administration, such as establishing a worldwide network to get medicines to areas without access to prescriptions to help fight HIV/AIDS and other deadly illnesses.

If elected president, Thompson told the group it is important to reach across the aisle to Democrats. In his 14 years as Wisconsin's governor, Thompson said he did exactly that with a Democratic majority controlling the state's Legislature.

"You need a bi-partisan approach to international relations," said Thompson, adding he would be very involved in foreign relations. "You have to if you want to get anything done."

Echoing a radio ad his campaign started running last week, the former governor called for the Iraqi government in the war-torn region to take a vote on whether it wants a U.S. presence in its country. That vote would give the United States some legitimacy for being there. It has been four years and counting, Thompson said, and he is pushing to share the oil revenues with the people of Iraq, much like the Alaska does with its residents. He also supports a three-state government. With the oil solution and three-state representation, he said he thinks that may help end the civil war in the region.
Tommy Thompson: Iraq war has "degree of insanity" about it
IowaPolitics.com: Audio of Thompson speech


Printer-friendly version      Send this article to a friend