The Stuff Of Dreams - And Nightmares
From The Nation of all places comes this scenario that would give Republicans sweet dreams. And Democrats extreme nightmares.
Condoleezza Rice for Vice President.
John McCain is a formidable candidate in his own right, but if he has the political imagination to do it, he can cause the party of Jefferson and Jackson indescribable angst with Rice as his vice-presidential pick.
Besides being the greatest two-for in GOP history, Rice brings other huge pluses to the old admiral. Indeed, she may be enough to elect the venerable hero/naval aviator.
McCain's troubles with the religious wing of his party could well evaporate with the churchgoing Rice at his side. She solidifies that part of his base overnight.
With Rice on the ticket, the GOP would have somebody to get enthusiastic about. The Secretary of State is immensely popular with Republicans. For a party that up to now has been clueless about how to run against either a woman or a person of color, Condoleezza Rice is pure political gold.
Woe to any Democrat who thinks taking her on in a debate is a sure thing. The woman is tough, fast on her feet and able to give better than she gets. Anyone who has seen her in action testifying in front of a hostile House or Senate committee knows that she will be able to wipe up the floor with a plodding, ordinary pol of a Democratic vice-presidential candidate. Take Rice lightly at your peril.
In the ordinary course of things the ideal vice-presidential candidate is relied upon to carry his or her home state and keep out of trouble. With Condi the GOP gets a lot more. It gets a superstar to match the Democrats' superstars. If it comes to name recognition, glamour and magnetism for conservatives, Condi is dandy. Also, it is a plus for the GOP team that she is a snappy dresser.
This would be a classic move for McCain. If Condi was willing to serve a tour in the political meat grinder as an elected official, that is. Personally, I think it would be a masterstroke.
By NortonPete, Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 6:23 pm
My wife and I have always been a big fan of Condi, this would make the vote easier.
By LYNNDH, Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Just how would the Dems oppose her, a Black Woman? They would use her time in Bush’s White House against her. I doubt that she would pull any Black Vote or Women Vote. It would be enough to solidify the Conservative vote though. Even middle of the roaders might be pulled in too.
By Anthony (Los Angeles), Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 8:10 pm
This causes real mixed feelings for me. I was a big supporter of Rice when she was NSA because I thought she backed the president’s analysis of the nature of the threat from jihadist Islam and how to face it. But, since she became Secretary of State, essentially been turned by the High-Minded crowd at the State Department. As a consequence, our policies regarding Lebanon, Iran, Israel, and North Korea have gone back to being a directionless muddle. I’d still vote for McCain, but the choice of Condi would not make me enthusiastic.
By Gaius, Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 8:37 pm
I wonder how much of that is simple inertia in State, Anthony. There is only so much a person can do up against a bureaucratic stone wall. That’s what has foiled most attempts to cut the bureaucracy back, really.
By Mwalimu Daudi, Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 9:08 pm
This would be an excellent move by McCain.
By jpg, Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 9:13 pm
I would love to vote for Dr. Rice. It would be a swing for the fence by McCain and I wonder if he’s got the moxie to go against the grain because the typical choice (and pressure) will be to choose a southerner like Sanford or Crist.
By Anthony (Los Angeles), Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 10:19 pm
I wonder how much of that is simple inertia in State, Anthony. There is only so much a person can do up against a bureaucratic stone wall.I agree. In fact, that’s part of my point: Condi was "captured" by the permanent bureaucracy at State, which tends toward the liberal internationalist, "we need to be team players with Europe" crowd. Coincidentally, I’m just finishing John Bolton’s memoirs of his time at the UN, "Surrender is not an option," during which time he had extensive dealings with his boss, Dr. Rice. Granted, Bolton is writing from the perspective of a Goldwater conservative, but I think his observations on the problems with the dominant culture at State are pretty spot on.Don’t get me wrong: I like and admire Condi, and not just because we’re both fans of Brahms’ 5th piano concerto (only she can actually play it!). She has a compelling story and, as The Nation author wrote (I can’t believe I’m agreeing with one of those guys!), she’s intellectually sharp as a tack. Picking her would be brilliant electoral politics, and that’s not something to be dismissed. But her performance at State leaves me seriously underwhelmed.BTW, not mentioned that I’ve seen so far is another promising African-American Republican, Michael Steele, the former Lt. Governor of Maryland and candidate for the Senate in 06. Though he lost the race, I was very impressed with him, and think he also would be a valuable addition to the ticket.Besides, "McCain-Steele" sounds really cool, in a macho sort of way.
By feeblemind, Wednesday, 13 February , 2008 @ 11:17 pm
I agree with Anthony (Los Angeles). Well said, Anthony.
By Don Singleton, Thursday, 14 February , 2008 @ 5:54 am
Originally I really liked the idea, but I don’t think Condi has the fire in the belly it would take to be McCain’s pit bull, and I am not that pleased with some of the things she has done to sell out Israel in a foolish attempt to get the Palestinians to make peace.
By rightwingprof, Thursday, 14 February , 2008 @ 12:52 pm
I think you’re all partly right. She caught State Departmentitis, and that wouldn’t excite a lot of hawks, but to be fair, everybody catches it. On the other hand, a lot of people would be attracted to a Mac-Condi ticket, and it would neutralize part of the "identity politics" fever that’s going to be a problem for McCain if Obama wins the nomination.I’m not sure, however, that she’d want a VP slot on the ticket.I am quite sure that picking any sitting Congressman would be an extremely bad idea. We’re going to have enough trouble hanging onto the seats we have without putting another in play.