Publisher: Rice was right on at the RNC

Speaking about the pursuit of the American dream at the Republican National Convention last week, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, “Ours has never been a narrative of grievance and entitlement. We have never believed that I am doing poorly because you are doing well. … Ours has been a belief in opportunity.” Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister says Rice’s view—and that of the Republican party—stands in stark contrast to that of President Barack Obama’s and the Democratic party. “Rice addressed our values, our opportunities, our challenges and the leadership they require,” McCollister writes in his new column. “Her views are not about race or gender, but about the belief in individual freedoms and pursuit of happiness for all.” McCollister says Rice’s address articulated some of the differences between Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney that voters should keep in mind as they go to the polls this fall. “The essence of America—that which really unites us—is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion—it is an idea—and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn’t matter where you came from but where you are going,” Rice said. Read the full column here for more of Rice’s comments that resonated with McCollister. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.