Political career Clare Boothe Luce

1 political career

1.1 house of representatives
1.2 republican national conventions
1.3 ambassador italy
1.4 ambassador brazil
1.5 political life after office
1.6 presidential medal of freedom

political career
house of representatives

in 1942, luce won republican seat in united states house of representatives representing fairfield county, connecticut, 4th congressional district. based platform on 3 goals: one, win war. two, prosecute war loyally , can republicans. three, bring better world , durable peace, special attention post-war security , employment here @ home. took seat formerly held late stepfather, dr. albert austin. outspoken critic of roosevelt s foreign policy, luce supported isolationists , conservatives in congress, , appointed prestigious house military affairs committee. although no means female representative on floor, beauty, wealth, , penchant slashing witticisms caused treated patronizingly colleagues of both sexes. made sensational debut in maiden speech, coining phrase globaloney disparage vice president henry wallace s recommendation airlines of world given free access airports. called repeal of chinese exclusion act, comparing doctrine of race theology adolf hitler s, advocated aid war victims abroad, , sided administration on issues such infant-care , maternity appropriations wives of enlisted men. nevertheless, roosevelt took dislike , campaigned in 1944 attempt prevent re-election, publicly calling sharp-tongued glamor girl of forty. retaliated accusing roosevelt of being american president ever lied war because did not have political courage lead it.

during second term, luce instrumental in creation of atomic energy commission and, during course of 2 tours of allied battlefronts in europe, campaigned more support of considered america s forgotten army in italy. present @ liberation of several nazi concentration camps in april 1945, , after v-e day, began warning against rise of international communism form of totalitarianism, lead world war iii.

in 1946, co-author of luce-celler act of 1946, increased numbers of indians , filipinos permitted immigrate (previously limited 100 per year), , allowed them become naturalized citizens.

republican national conventions

clare boothe luce s emergence formidable political orator in congress made candidate deliver keynote speech @ 1944 republican national convention. did not, however, win honor, many reports erroneously state. (nor first woman address national political convention: corinne roosevelt robinson did in 1920.) governor earl warren of california selected keynote speaker, , luce asked introduce herbert hoover. after seeing draft of proposed remarks, hoover suggested him introduce her.

luce s subsequent address invoked allegorical figure, g.i. jim , g.i. joe s less celebrated comrade-in-arms, victim of roosevelt administration s tardy preparation world war ii. reproved president roosevelt practicing one-man diplomacy, , claimed american democracy becoming dictatorial bumbledom. rewarded vast ovation. convention nominated governor thomas e. dewey of new york presidency.

at republican national convention in 1948, luce delivered scathing speech, castigating president harry s. truman , administration. [philadelphia evening bulletin, june 22, 1948] e again, applause great, press comments afterwards negative. passionate convert roman catholicism , dedicated cold warrior, luce moving toward extreme right of party. ignoring luce s clear preference senator arthur vandenberg candidate, convention renominated dewey run against truman.

ambassador italy

clare boothe luce, ambassador italy, husband henry luce (1954)

luce returned politics during 1952 presidential election , campaigned on behalf of republican candidate dwight eisenhower, giving more 100 speeches on behalf. anti-communist speeches on stump, radio, , television effective in persuading large number of traditionally democrat-voting catholics switch parties , vote eisenhower. contributions luce rewarded appointment ambassador italy, post oversaw 1150 employees, 8 consulates, , 9 information centers. confirmed senate in march 1953, first american woman ever hold such important diplomatic post.

italians reacted skeptically @ first arrival of female ambassador in rome, luce convinced of moderate , conservative temper favored civilization , religion. admirers in italy-and had millions- fondly referred la signora, lady . country s large communist minority, however, regarded foreign meddler in italian affairs.

she no stranger pope pius xii, welcomed friend , faithful acolyte.

over course of several audiences since 1940, luce had impressed pius xii 1 of effective secular preachers of catholicism in america.

her principal achievement ambassador play vital role in negotiating peaceful solution trieste crisis of 1953–1954, border dispute between italy , yugoslavia saw potentially escalating war between east , west. sympathies throughout christian democratic government of giuseppe pella, , influential on mediterranean policy of secretary of state john foster dulles, anticommunist. although luce regarded abatement of acute phase of crisis in december 1953 triumph herself, main work of settlement, finalized in october 1954, undertaken professional representatives of 5 concerned powers (britain, france, united states, italy, , yugoslavia) meeting in london.

as ambassador, luce consistently overestimated possibility italian left mount governmental coup , turn country communist unless democratic center buttressed generous american aid. nurturing image of own country haven of social peace , prosperity, threatened boycott 1955 venice film festival if american juvenile delinquent film blackboard jungle shown. around same time, fell ill arsenic poisoning. sensational rumors circulated ambassador target of extermination agents of soviet union. medical analysis determined poisoning caused arsenate of lead in paint dust falling stucco decorated bedroom ceiling. episode debilitated luce physically , mentally, , resigned post in december 1956. upon departure, rome s il tempo concluded has given notable example of how woman can discharge political post of grave responsibility.

ambassador brazil

in 1959, president eisenhower nominated recovered luce ambassador brazil. began learn enough of portuguese language in preparation job, conservative appointment met strong opposition small number of democratic senators. leading charge oregon senator wayne morse. still, luce confirmed 79 11 vote. husband urged decline appointment, noting difficult work morse, chaired senate subcommittee on latin american affairs. luce sent eisenhower letter explaining felt controversy surrounding appointment hinder abilities respected both brazilian , coworkers , resigned position ambassador. had served 4 days, april 28 may 1, 1959, , had never left american soil.

political life after office

after fidel castro led revolution in cuba in 1959, luce , husband began sponsor anticommunist groups. support included funding cuban exiles in commando speedboat raids against cuba in 1960s. luce s continuing anticommunism advocacy of conservatism led support senator barry goldwater of arizona republican candidate president in 1964. considered rejected candidacy united states senate new york on conservative party ticket. same year, saw political emergence of future friend ronald reagan, marked voluntary end of henry luce s tenure editor-in-chief of time. luces retired together, establishing winter home in arizona , planning final move hawaii. husband, henry, died in 1967 before dream realized, went ahead construction of luxurious beach house in honolulu, and, years, led active life in hawaii high society.

in 1973, president richard nixon named president s foreign intelligence advisory board (pfiab). remained on board until president jimmy carter succeeded president gerald ford in 1977. then, had put down roots in washington, d.c. become permanent in last years. in 1979, first woman awarded sylvanus thayer award united states military academy @ west point.

president reagan reappointed luce pfiab. served on board until 1983.

presidential medal of freedom

president reagan awarded presidential medal of freedom in 1983. first female member of congress receive award.

upon presenting presidential medal of freedom, reagan said of luce:

a novelist, playwright, politician, diplomat, , advisor presidents, clare boothe luce has served , enriched country in many fields. brilliance of mind, gracious warmth , great fortitude have propelled exceptional heights of accomplishment. congresswoman, ambassador, , member of president s foreign intelligence advisory board, clare boothe luce has been persistent , effective advocate of freedom, both @ home , abroad. has earned respect of people on world, , love of fellow americans.