The debate can end now, The New Yorker has picked John McCain's running mate. Nope, not Florida Governor Charlie Crist, or Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty — it's. . . wait for it. . . Condoleezza Rice. Stunned? Here's some of the reasoning behind the pick.
Her nomination to a constitutional executive office would cost McCain the votes of his party’s hardened racists and incorrigible misogynists. They are surely fewer in number, though, than the people who would like to participate in breaking the glass ceiling of race or gender but, given the choice, would rather do so in a more timid way, and/or without abandoning their party. And with Rice on the ticket the Republicans could attack Clinton or Obama with far less restraint.
It's not completely without merit, though for some reason I can't see it happening, but the piece is worth a read for sure. One other tidbit that stood out? George W. Bush might be remembered for his progressive cabinet nominations. Surprised? Then, read more.
In this connection, a kind word for George W. Bush may be in order. By appointing first Colin Powell and then Rice to the most senior job in the Cabinet, a job of global scope, Bush changed the way millions of white Americans think about black public officials. This may turn out to the most positive legacy of his benighted Presidency.
Oh, and if you like these ideas, you're in luck! The New Yorker now has a Facebook page. Head on over and give 'em a poke.
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gross
1Go Condi!
2Yeah, right. Mr. "Bomb-bomb-Iran", who "hates [sic] gooks" (his words, not mine), and referred to Nelson Mandela as a terrorist will never allow that woman to share the "White" House with him.
3Yeah, I don't see that happening.
4People have been saying Colin Powell for a while now (http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/capital/2008/01/31/mccain-powell)
It only makes sense to say Condi too (for many of the same reasons)... It is politically savvy, and these two seem obvious choices to combat the Dem tickets... it is not like there are a lot of top ranking people in the R party that fit the diversity and credibility bill to counter the Dems.
My dad called me today excited about the news discussing a Powell rumor, and was excited at the prospect of a general election with McCain/Powell v any dems.
5Meg, I have heard that Powell really likes Obama! I have heard he has spoken with him an advisory context.
I think that Condi would be too much of a tie to Bush. I think that the Republicans are going to have to show that they are a new chapter now. Once the Democrats have stopped fighting, I think it will be a challenge for McCain to show that he is a step in a better direction.
6I think it would be a brilliant move. Woman--check. Black--check. Conservative--check. Very smart--check. Willing to stay in Iraq for 100-1000 years--check. Match made in h---.
7Go Go Condi!!!!!!!!
8BARF!!!! She has no soul.
9Go Condi
10First, I'd love to see Condi, but I don't believe it will happen. I don't believe Condi will go anywhere near the White House for at least four years as I believe she will be distancing herself from the Bush Administration.
Additionally, I don't believe we'll see Powell anywhere near the VP spot in this election either.
Great concepts, but highly unlikely.
Kaeni:
"who "hates [sic] gooks"" - If you're going to use this to make him seem racist, please at least explain the context: He has applied this term to his captors of Vietnam, not all Vietnamese. He is not racist against Asian, or particularly the Vietnamese, but he does hold anger angst those who individuals who tortured him.
"and referred to Nelson Mandela as a terrorist " - Please link this. I tried searching for this but was having an issue finding where McCain has said such, though I found a note that Richard Quinn, a previous advisor of McCain back in 2000 had written some sort of article calling Mandella a terrorist, but this is not McCain.
"will never allow that woman to share the "White" House with him." - Considering everything you presented was out of context, I find this statement to be completely false based upon your facts.
11nyaradzom2001: "BARF!!!! She has no soul."
If you mean, "She's impressively intelligent," I'd have to agree.
If not, could you explain, I don't understand your point.
12I know why nyra doesn't like her, Condi gives her the "heebie-jeebies."
13Thanks for the translation, 3M. I just wanted to be sure there was a solid, well-reasoned foundation for the dislike, like Kaeni's.
14No problem, I'm fluent in liberal.
15I too would love to see Condi on the ticket! She gets my vote!
16Oh, I love Condi! I kinda wish she could be commissioner of the NFL instead though!
17Go Condi!!
18To have no soul is to lack compassion or empathy for your fellow beings: to be willing to strive for and use power to destroy other human beings, perhaps by attacking their country and destroying its infrastructure so that you can have it rebuilt in a manner more favorable to rich and insatiable corporate entities with which you have aligned yourself. To be willing to overlook the suffering of others because the cause of that suffering benefits the rich and insatiable corporate entities with which you have aligned yourself. To be willing to undermine the basic rights and liberties of others because to do so benefits the rich and insatiable corporate entities with which you have aligned yourself.
19"Barf" is a reference to the fact that even thinking of such a person without a soul makes you sick to your stomach. Kind of like Condi.
As for progressive cabinet nominations, that's a huge stretch. When Bush came to office, Colin Powell had an international reputation and was greatly admired in the U.S. Appointing him made Bush look good but I doubt Powell's reputation will ever recover.
20Steph: So it's better to let people suffer under the regime of a dictator? Now that I think about it, I would rather live under Saddam's tyranny than in a country in which WALMART exists. Thanks for helping me on that one!
21
Welcome back 3M!
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23Cool, if Condi's really all about saving people from tyrants when are we going to Burma and Tibet?
24I got the image of a giant Condi (like Green Giant size) going from country to country freeing people.
I'm on-board!
25Those would be some mighty big Manolos!
26Hiya folks! Long time no see.
Out of the Bush administration the most likable character seems to me to be Condi Rice, possesing a diplomatic senserity lacking elsewhere. What bothers me is that the 9-11 comitee stated in their closing report that many indicators on a possible terrorist attack on US soi from both domestic and foreign intelligence agencies, all landed on Rice's desk, yet little was done to actively prevent or prepare for this scenario.
I think Republicans in general are a little defensive at best, or fundamentalistic at worst, when it comes to the invasion of Iraq. And I don't mean to pigeon hole anyone, bit there is a tendency of locking horns on the subject, from both camps. First of all, the long term goals the Bush administration set going in have all failed to be reached even 5 years into the process. One main reason was to create a domino effect in the Middle East to create positive democracies and to further stabilize the region. Unfortunately for everyone it created the opposite effect, and the situation today is, in the region, far worse then it was 5 years back.
When one brings up Saddam Hussein as the reason of our invasion it worries me, because the oppression of the Iraqi people had a less than a minor role in why we went to war, and if it is really what people believe then we are in big trouble concerning future foreign policy, as you need to understand the conflict to resolve it.
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