Chatter about Mitt Romney's running mate choice is focusing on Condoleezza Rice.
It's her.
No, it's not.
She's the one.
No, she's not.
From the Atlantic Wire:
Matt Drudge is reporting the Romney campaign's narrowed their choices for Vice President down to a carefully vetted handful, and that the front runner is none other than former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Matt Drudge reports a VP announcement will happen in the "coming weeks," but for now the Romney campaign has a list of a handful of choices, and Rice is at the top.
Of course, last week, Ann Romney's comment that a woman was being considered as the VP candidate received a lot of attention.
Because of that, the stuff about Condi really isn't a surprise.
Personally, I have reservations about her.
There are questions about her positions on social issues. More importantly, I don't think she's the best person to hammer home the economic message forcefully. That's crucial to winning this election.
While she certainly would bring expertise to the ticket when it comes to foreign policy matters, that's not what will be driving the electorate in 2012.
I don't think Condi is the one to effectively challenge Obama on jobs, taxes, and health care, the whole class warfare thing.
Romney needs to choose someone dynamic and willing to really fight. I don't think Condi has the necessary spark. She's tough, but I'm not convinced she'd be willing to be tough enough on Obama.
Would she go after his dismal record, his divisiveness, his broken promises, his lies?
On July 20, 2008, Rice was interviewed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Transcript
WOLF BLITZER: One final question. You're immediate predecessor Colin Powell. I interviewed him many times. But he said this to Tavis Smiley, back in January. About this race and about the phenomenon of Senator Barack Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) COLIN POWELL, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Let's enjoy this moment where a person like Barack Obama can knock down all of those old barriers that people though existed, with respect to the opportunities that are available for African-Americans. And my congratulations to him. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Now, you grew up in the segregated south. You know what racism is in our country. The fact that Barack Obama is now the Democratic presidential nominee, what does that say to you?
CONDOLEEZZA RICE: I think it's great. And I think it's great for our country. And I do think it says that we've come a long way. But it's interesting that it's from Colin Powell. He knocked down a few barriers of his own. He knocked down the barrier of chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. He knocked down the barrier to the first black secretary of state. Yes, I've knocked down a few too. It just shows that our country has been doing this for a while and it's great that this last barrier perhaps, has also come down.
BLITZER: Have you decided who to vote for?
RICE: Wolf, yes.
BLITZER: Do you want to tell us?
RICE: No.
BLITZER: OK. You don't have to.
RICE: Thank you.
Did Rice vote for Obama?
She wouldn't say she was voting for John McCain, which was certainly a clue she intended to vote for Obama, a Leftist.
Then after Obama was elected, Rice was giddy.
If Rice is a Republican and believes in conservative principles, I don't see how she could choose to vote for the extremely liberal Obama. Did race play a role in her decision?
It was very odd that she refused to say she was voting for McCain. That omission reveals that either she voted for Obama or she was too spineless to admit her support for the Republican candidate. Either way, it's bad.
There's a problem if Rice cast her vote based on Obama's skin color rather than his policy positions. There's a problem if she wasn't willing to voice her rejection of Obama and stand up for her beliefs. So, is she liberal? Is she a conservative who voted for a liberal?
I respect all she did for our country, but she's not fit to be on the Republican ticket.
Without question, I don't think Condi is the best choice.
And I don't think it's overstating things to say that Romney's choice of running mate may be what decides this election.
2 comments:
Excellent analysis.
Knowing something about Rice's experience growing up in segregated Birmingham, AL, I can understand her vote for Obama.
Imagine being told as a child that you can't eat a hamburger at Woolworth's or swim in the city pool.
Obama fooled many in 2008 who should have known better. She should have cared enough to know better.
That said, there are two major problems with her on the ticket:
First, her connection to Bush. This will be red meat for the Obama team;
Second, her part in starting and promoting the war in Iraq. Libertarian-leaning voters are already inclined to withhold their vote for Romney. Rice as VP-nominee would make this inclination a no-brainer. And Ron Paulist voters may hold the key in this election.
I hope no one who cares about the future of the country sits out this election. We can't afford another four years of Obama.
I agree that Condi's connection to Bush and the Iraq baggage is a real problem. I'm sure the Obama team would love the opportunity to focus on Bush and rehash all of that.
Ron Paul supporters may not be thrilled with Romney but he's dramatically better than Obama. I hope they understand the necessity to oust the imperial president, "King Obama."
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