Special from NewsMax's Most Informed Sources
June 22, 2002

1) Dick Morris: Condoleezza vs. Hillary
2) Washington May Be Next Big Target
3) India-Pakistan Nuclear Showdown Far From Over
4) Armitage Still Job Hunting

1) Dick Morris: Condoleezza vs. Hillary

Unless the Republican Party can break the Democratic hold over minorities and reduce or eliminate the gender gap, it will fade into history, Dick Morris tells NewsMax's Insider Report.

Just as the British Liberal Party died in the face of economic changes, so the Republican Party may wither away as the nation's demographics move away from its white male base.

By 2008, blacks and Hispanics combined will likely account for 28 percent of the vote (in 2000 they were 24 percent).

Can Republicans count on getting the 70 percent of the white vote they will need to overcome these minorities if they vote solidly Democratic?

Not very likely.

Only a black or Hispanic Republican candidate can hope to puncture the Democratic minority group base.

And with Hillary Clinton as the likely Democratic candidate in 2008, who better to contest for minorities and women than Condoleezza Rice?

Who can fail to be impressed with her poise, intellect and spunk as she guides America through some of its toughest days?

Who better to divide the women's vote and draw the distinction between a woman who made it on her husband's coattails and one who did it on her own?

What better way for the GOP to show that it is no longer a white male bastion than to run a highly qualified, able, articulate and brilliant black woman such as Rice?

Editor's Note: Get Dick Morris' blockbuster book "Power Plays" at a discount – or for free with a subscription to NewsMax.com magazine: Just click here.

2) Washington May Be Next Big Target

New Yorkers may be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

If a dirty bomb – nuclear material detonated with normal explosives – hits the U.S. it will likely be in Washington, so we hear from numerous governmental and media sources.

Such a bomb would not cause millions of casualties, but radioactive fallout could immediately kill thousands in an area of several miles. The long-term effects could kill tens of thousands more over a wide area over a period of many years.

NewsMax hears that potassium iodide, a substance that prevents lethal radioactive iodine from lodging in a person's thyroid, has been selling like hotcakes.

We also hear that the firms selling the substance are getting many of their orders from the Washington, D.C., area – and from citizens and governmental organizations.

One reason for the flurry of orders is that intelligence sources believe Washington will be the No. 1 target for this weapon.

Al-Qaeda or an affiliated group (read: the Iraqis) could detonate one or more of these weapons in the vicinity of the White House or Capitol Hill.

Such a move would continue their strategy, begun on 9-11, of seeking to "decapitate" the political leadership of the U.S.

Sources believe that the use of such a weapon increases as we move to an outright military attack on Iraq or try to topple Saddam Hussein by force.

One famous journalist in Washington, we hear, is not taking any chances. He has already stockpiled the trunk of his car with 10 days' worth of provisions and has plans for a quick exit from the area if anything happens.

3) India-Pakistan Nuclear Showdown Far From Over

A source close to British intelligence tells NewsMax that the cooling of hostilities between India and Pakistan is just temporary.

Pakistan's ISI, its version of the CIA, is busy preparing for another wave of Islamic terrorism in Kashmir and on other Indian targets.

The ISI is thoroughly infiltrated with Islamic militants and apparently has been orchestrating much of the violence against Indian targets.

Apparently, the ISI has asked Muslim militants to cool their heels for the next month or so, until insurgent groups can prepare for another wave of attacks.

President Musharraf does not support the militancy, but he doesn't fully control the ISI either. He has weeded fundamentalists out of the military, but radical Islamists still control key parts of the ISI.

Musharraf is in a difficult position. The public supports a hard line toward India over Kashmir. If he appears to be reining in the ISI and Islamic militants in Kashmir, it will appear as if he is soft on dealing with India over the disputed territory.

If Musharraf loses popular support, his days as president are numbered – and so may be his days on the planet.

Sources say to expect the India-Pakistan conflict to blow again in the coming months.

4) Armitage Still Job Hunting

NewsMax noted in a recent Insider Report that Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage was actively lobbying to replace CIA Director George Tenet, who many believe will be out of his job in the next six months.

But sources say that Armitage is also in the running for the new job of secretary of Homeland Security.

Others, including Tom Ridge, are jockeying for the position.

Ridge has made few friends in the administration since heading the office of Homeland Security and is not the leading contender. Rudy Giuliani, also frequently mentioned for the post, won't get it either. Republican insiders view him as a publicity hound who would quickly turn on President Bush if he could advance his own political ambitions.

But Armitage's job hunting seems to confirm rumors that Secretary of State Colin Powell will be resigning soon. Powell is said to be out of the loop that makes key decisions, and still opposes a war with Iraq.

Armitage is a close associate of Powell's and his decision to leave the State Department to find another position would be a wise move before Powell departs.

Your Summer Reading List

With summer upon us, it's time you stocked up on some new titles before vacation begins.

Here are some bestselling titles from the NewsMax Store:

Ann Coulter's sensational new book "Slander"

The explosive book about Gays in the Catholic Church: "Goodbye, Good Men"

The exposé about how the CIA really works: "CIA, Inc."

The history of New York's Conservative Party: "Fighting the Good Fight"

A senior CIA officer reveals what Clinton did in "See No Evil"

And, of course, Dick Morris' powerful new best seller "Power Plays"