Rice: "An election of consequence"

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice waves as she takes the stage during the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 29, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.

/ Mark Wilson/Getty Images

(CBS News) TAMPA, Fla. - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested in her speech at the Republican convention Wednesday that the United States has lost its standing in the world and that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan can restore American leadership, calling the election one "of consequence."

"Where does America stand? When our friends and our foes, alike, do not know the answer to that question - clearly and unambiguously -- the world is a chaotic and dangerous place," Rice said, saying the U.S. has skirted its role dealing threats of Iran and war-torn Syria.

But Rice, who approached the stage to raucous applause, said foreign policy is not the only area the U.S. is "reluctant to lead." In a wide-ranging speech that expanded beyond her foreign policy expertise, Rice said energy, trade, immigration and education are crucial to ensuring American leadership.

(Watch the full speech at left)
"Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan understand this reality -- that our leadership abroad and our well being at home are inextricably linked. They know what needs to be done," she said.

Education is "the civil rights struggle of our day," she said. It's an issue she has focused on in recent years, even releasing a bipartisan report on the risks of a failing education system with the former head of New York City schools Joel Klein earlier this year. "The crisis in K-12 education is a grave threat to who we are."

"We need to give parents greater choice - particularly poor parents whose kids - most often minorities -- are trapped in failing neighborhood schools," Rice said. "To do anything less is to endanger our global economic competitiveness. To do anything less is to tear apart the fabric of who we are and cement a turn toward grievance and entitlement."

Additional convention speeches:
Rand Paul: Obama is "uniquely unqualified" to lead
Ann Romney: "You can trust Mitt"
Paul Ryan: "We will not duck the tough issues"

Rice's remarks were based on her highly-praised speech she delivered to an exclusive group of Romney supporters and donors in Utah earlier this year, according to a senior Romney campaign aide. Rice, who was mentioned as a long-shot potential VP choice for Romney, reemerged on the political scene in the past year after working in academia and writing following her stint in President George W. Bush's administration.

Without mentioning President Obama's name, she noted the gravity of this selection.

"This is a moment - an election - of consequence. Because it just has to be that the most compassionate and freest country on the face of the earth will continue to be the most powerful."

Watch Sec. Rice explain her speech's message

Rice argued that Romney and Ryan's leadership would lead the country back to greatness.

"Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will rebuild us at home and inspire us to lead abroad," she said.

"They will provide an answer to the question, 'Where does America stand?'"

CBS News complete convention coverage

[infantryman1968]

by carolannc47 August 30, 2012 11:24 AM EDT
@CBS: Where did you hide your coverage of Code Pink trying to arrest this war criminal in Tampa? In fact where did you hide all the protests by that little group called the public? The homeless try to make a statement at the shantytown "Romneyville" but CBS wasn't there. Oh, what about the coverage of the protest against Bain- owned Bloomin' Brand who own among others own Outback Restaurant and who want to lower restaurant workers wages in Florida? Well how about showing that residents have lost access to many parts of their own city so this "free society" can protect their elite like an armed camp. MSM fits in well with this group. They only have eyes for the wizards behind the curtain.


LOL!


Your purpose was to take Bush down during the war. Now you are cast aside just like Cindy Sheehan was 1 minute after Obama was elected.

[carolannc47]

And by "your purpose" you mean those protesting for peace? Their purpose is clear no matter who the President is, and that is to protest all warmongers. I know you probably only pay attention to those with your point of view, but the fact is Code Pink and their followers have never stopped standing up for a peaceful world. Being "cast aside" by warmongers of any party doesn't make us wrong. In case you didn't get it the wizard behind the curtain is the political establishment in general not just repugs. Poll after poll shows most Americans want an end to our brutality of other countries, some if only because of the money it takes out of their pockets. My point was only to say that maybe the public's opinion could get some airtime for a change, but you just go on a glout that the big boys don't give a damn about that.

[unclebernies]

Ms Rice has connections to the petroluem industry and Cheveron. They named a oil tanker after her. Need you know more as to her skin in the game.

[inbethlehem]

Thank you Condi for reminding us of the disasters that were heaped upon the world by you and your fellow NeoCons.

Now, go away.

[takacrat]

Don't Worry, Condi will not be anywhere that you are at or ever will be, unless she visites the mental ward that you are staying at!

[inbethlehem]

Oh these NeoCons are just itching to get back in power so they can launch a few more wars.

Thank you, Ms. Rice, but we have seen the disaster known as "Cowboy Diplomacy" with you and your fellow warmongers.

We have seen the success of "Lead from Behind" of the Obama administration with a Secretary of State who is way out of your league.

Thank you, now go away.

[formerlyluvnut]

Condi is just an "uncle Tom".

[hypnotoad72]

If it were so easy to be rich and powerful and live a life of luxury at others' expense, if it's so easy to capitulate the way she does, then why isn't everyone capitulating? Oh, we were never offered the choice?

[carolannc47]

@CBS: Where did you hide your coverage of Code Pink trying to arrest this war criminal in Tampa? In fact where did you hide all the protests by that little group called the public? The homeless try to make a statement at the shantytown "Romneyville" but CBS wasn't there. Oh, what about the coverage of the protest against Bain- owned Bloomin' Brand who own among others own Outback Restaurant and who want to lower restaurant workers wages in Florida? Well how about showing that residents have lost access to many parts of their own city so this "free society" can protect their elite like an armed camp. MSM fits in well with this group. They only have eyes for the wizards behind the curtain.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
when we know the path that you made in adminitration of Georges W Bush, we wonder if you are able to give good advice, the war in Iraq is the best example, you have orchestrated this dirty war, even after taking end (thanks to Barack Obama), its destructive impact is still there, the Iraqis are still dying by the dozens every day.
it is clear that you have ambitions. this explains your statement.
"au revoir"

[mysticpizza]

Condy Condy COndy the GOP could careless about you, your just an ends to the means to get back ingot office. Your nothing more than a token to be used to try and get the minority vote. I work with lots of successful black people in the healthcare industry, and none of them think you are sincere in your speech and cannot relate with you.

[Turbidite]

Superhawk Rice's concept of leadership is to lead the nation into as many miltary actions as possible with the hope that some will turn into major wars.

[takacrat]

The World is already in a major war

[buchkshot]

Amazing that PBS cut her off after a very emotional segment of her speech, like it might make her go away. Senior DNC officials should be afraid, very afraid of her as she is smart and a class act.

[inbethlehem]

PBS is the only network covering the GOP convention gavel to gavel.