Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - Do you realize that the next President of the United States of America may very well be a woman? It would appear at this time that this country is finally ready to go forward with this idea.

Actually, we may "kill two birds with one stone" here. This wonderful country of ours has also never had an African-American at the helm. It seems to me that in 2008 we may have the most important election this country has ever had.

In one corner, weighing in at ... um, never mind, we have current New York U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton representing the Democrats. If we're lucky, she will be challenged by current U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who also is African-American.

I could be wrong, but my instinct at this time tells me that if Hillary runs in 2008, the Republican Party may counter with Condi. I think that would be great. What an epic battle!

I don't have much against Hillary, other than her husband and all of the crooked things she's been caught up in over many decades. I also don't like the "universal health care" plan she's been pushing seemingly forever.

It is not, and never has been, the responsibility of the federal government to furnish its citizens with public healthcare. In actuality, the federal government of the United States is only charged with one thing; defending its citizens from foreign and domestic aggressors. A clever way of saying this very same thing is national security.

Condoleeza Rice, on the other hand, has an impeccable record of public service. She's also very, very intelligent. The world seems to like her, as they do with Hillary. But I think I trust Ms. Rice with the nation's well-being much more than I do with Hillary.

So, in this next election I think we will have to make a choice. Both women are considered elegant and graceful, but do we want a white woman with a questionable past, or do we want a black woman with unquestionable ethics? Either way, I think we're going to be led by a woman next term in 2008. Get ready!