Rice: Bad time to end embargo on Cuba

The Bush administration said Sunday it sees no wisdom now in ending an economic embargo against Cuba, a longtime demand the Havana government renewed as a way to speed aid after Hurricane Gustav swamped the island.

A U.S. offer to send a disaster assessment team was declined Saturday by the Cuban Foreign Ministry, which did not mention the $100,000 in humanitarian assistance that Washington also offered through nonprofit groups.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, wrapping up a trip to North Africa, told reporters that President Bush consistently has said the U.S. would be responsive “to a Cuban regime that is prepared to release political prisoners (and) has a process to get to free and fair elections.” But, she added, “we can see nothing that suggests that has come about.” AP

Funny Rice should mention elections. If the embargo on Cuba was to be lifted now, or even loosened, McCain would likely loose Florida in the upcoming election.

Not that that has anything to do with things, right?

Tip to Rice: It may be a tad asinine to mention political prisoners in Cuba as the US has some of her very own there. (Gunatanamo?)