Yesterday, on the Michael Medved show, there was a discussion about John McCain’s possible choices for a VP nominee. Condaleeza Rice’s name was mentioned and supported by Medved who has been a supporter of McCain this year. At one time, I thought she had real political potential, not as president just yet but, perhaps, as a California Senate nominee. Alas, she has gone off the rails in several diplomatic ventures. One is Turkey where, for reasons that don’t seem sufficient, she has supported a turn to Islamist extremism.
The other is in Israel where she has been pushing a useless peace initiative between Olmert , whose approval rating in Israel is about 10% and who would lose any election held now, and Abbas who lost the only election he has ever held. Olmert is in office only because he knows better than to schedule an election. He botched the Lebanon war and will soon be retired.
What is she thinking of ? I have already commented on Bush’s support of more negotiation at this time. And again here. Maybe Bush feels he has to make a gesture but Rice seems to be showing poor judgment in her enthusiasm for this mistaken policy. If she wants a political career someday, she could return to California after Bush finishes his term and redeem herself as a candidate for the Senate. Right now, she does not show up well as an astute Secretary of State.
If McCain wants to choose a black VP nominee, an ill-considered (and far too obvious) decision he is unlikely to make, Colin Powell would be a far more astute choice. I doubt Powell wants the office, although it would put him a heartbeat from the presidency behind a 72-year-old president, and he is probably too old anyway. I suspect McCain will chose a much younger governor, possibly Pawlenty of Minnesota or Crist of Florida.
Tags: condaleeza rice, crist, hamas, Israel, Palestinians, pawlenty, vice-president
Hi Dr. K. Rice was a professor at the same institution where I was a graduate student. I had lunch with her several times, and she is thoughtful, kind, and very funny.
I believe that there are all kinds of complications in upper level government to which we are not privy. Sometimes, politics is about the “least bad” choice.
That being said, I agree with you that Rice would not be viable as McCain’s VP. Pawlenty is a fine choice. I also think well of JC Watts, but I understand he has some skeletons in his closet.
It seems that Condaleeza Rice usually gets described as a highly successful academic who fared less well in the halls of government. It makes me think of the highly touted college football player, a first round draft choice, who doesn’t do well in the NFL.
I wonder if the expectations of her were higher and more ‘loaded’ than what they would have been if she had just been the standard middle aged white guy put in the position?
That she is a black female changed the playing field. It couldn’t help but do so. Even if her appointment was genuinely and sincerely based on her accomplishments (which I believe to be so), unforunately, as is clearly evidenced today, gender and race do indeed matter.
I do agree too that she would not be the best choice for vp. I don’t understand at all her position on Turkey – why in God’s name would she make the move she has? It makes no sense….
Dana, I do think that overly high expectations are often placed on “underrepresented individuals.”
When I knew Rice, she was a brilliant academic (can she ever play piano) with a real humanity and sense of humor. In fact, I didn’t know that she was an assistant professor while I was a graduate student. I had lunch with her several times, and was steeling myself to ask her out…when I found out she was a professor!
Whoops!
I think she could still have a political career although she may not want it. There was a web site pushing her as a candidate for president a couple of years ago. I think she has been a disappointment as Sec State. I have no doubt she is brilliant but the mini-balloon for VP is not rising.
I think that you need some experience in elective office these days. Ike was an exception, but he was pretty unique.
US Grant showed us why it is important.