Rice Is Right For McCain's VP

The Nation: Putting Condoleezza Rice On The Republican Ticket Would Cause Indescribable Angst For Dems

(The Nation)  This column was written by Nicholas von Hoffman.

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Democrats who think it's going to be a cakewalk into the White House next November had best remember one name: Condoleezza Rice.

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 decorated Vietnam hero. 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.

Rice's presence on the ticket deprives the Democrats of the we-are-more-diverse-than-thou argument. It makes McCain - whose ethnically diverse family includes an adopted daughter from Bangladesh - an even more attractive candidate for a certain kind of independent voter.

Rice can rightly be attacked for serving President Bush and backing an unpopular and disastrous war. But McCain, who is extremely pro-war himself, is not going to select a running mate who is wishy-washy on Iraq. Rice is also said to have done a poor job running the State Department, where morale is supposed to have dropped faster than a subprime mortgage. However, you can put the number of voters who give a rodent's behind about the care and feeding of cookie-pushing diplomats in a phone booth, if phone booths still existed.

With Rice on the ticket the Republicans are freed up to run a much stronger negative campaign against either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama because the Secretary of State provides them with cover against charges of sexism or racism. They would be able to go after Obama's membership in Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., with whom Obama is close, has won himself the militant tag from conservatives because of his association with Nation of Islam leader the Rev. Louis Farrakhan.

They can attack Hillary's experience claims as consisting of her being Bill's wife. They can challenge her boast that she is a strong, independent woman and paint her as a weak, hopelessly-in-love woman under the spell of a man subject not only to "bimbo eruptions" but also eruptions of smarmy deals with shady business figures.

Lastly, Rice is a notorious sports fan with excruciatingly detailed knowledge of much of its arcana. She's often said that her dream job is commissioner of the National Football League; however, in a pinch she would probably settle for Vice President of the United States.

[lakebuddy52]

man -o- man , What an Idea. I have been accessing the hopefuls and have stated that I would be voting against Obama or Clinton because I feel that they are both untrustworthy and full of ***. If Condie was picked as a running mate, I could finally say that I would be voting for a great team that would do their best for all of us. BTW, I am a white american that is tired of the old bullcrap from Washington and I say: McCain / Rice in 2008 !

[andor3]

Not sure it would cause "angst for the dems," but it would make it a lot easier to for voters to choose not to vote for McCain--would expose his true colors as a Bush clone: more war, more attacks on the Constitution, more economic disaster, more preferential treatment of rich and corporations over citizens, more of the same failed ideas and policies. Rice has always been part of the problem, not part of the solution. Just like McCain.

[clestes-2009]

ha, ha, ha.....

this is great. The rep party is bumbling around and will implod with no help from the dems.

Geez, Rice has the lowest approval rating of any SOS and has been completely USELESS in the role of NSA or SOS.

Her only actions have been to parrot shrub and refuse to get involve in any of the disputes surrounding him. Her job is to distill all the view points and then present them to shrub so he can make an informed decision. She failed miserably!! She would insist that there be agreement so she could present shrub with only 1 solution, as more than 1 would confuse him, and force it to be the one he wanted to hear.

And NRO thinks putting this complete failure on dino John''s ticket is going to be good??

Never have I heard such complete stupidity by the reps as I have heard this year. They are completely lost and probably it won''t even be close. There will be a big sweep at all levels and the reps are OUT for a long time.

[bwessels]

This idea is not new. It was floated on PBS''s Washington Week, I believe (or maybe Charlie Rose?) a couple of weeks ago. Strategically, it fits. But she is the ultimate Bush apologist (good albatross there) and described as a "disaster" as National Security Adviser. Not good for the Republican "security" message.

And now, former P.O.W. McCain votes in favor of torture. Wow.

[aviewerofcbs]

I never vote for a party -- I vote for the best candidate. In a time of war, I think a McCain/Rice ticket would be exactly what this country needs. I agree: McCain/Rice 2008!

[lawyertom1]

She is perfect. Imagine, someone who was part of the incompetent Shrub Administration that missed all the warnings about 911. A gift from god.

[taddles-2009]

Let''s see, the woman who disregarded all the warnings about an imminent attack on US targets which resulted in the death of 3000 US civilians and who lied to get us into Iraq which has resulted in nearly 4000 US soldiers deaths...yea, as Jane Fonda is apt say "We aren''t into C*NT"

[taddles-2009]

Is this a Nation article or an NRO article???

Look Nicky...can I call you Nicky? Just cause you want to wear Condi''s undies on your head and do a little horizontal bopping with her on the Oval Office carpet doesn''t mean you need to gush over here like a smitten school boy. Just go tell her you''d crawl through broken glass just to lick her boots...or did you do that already?

[taddles-2009]

"And now, former P.O.W. McCain votes in favor of torture. Wow.

Posted by sanevoice at 02:40 PM : Feb 14, 2008"

Yea, piece of work ain''t he? Is there anyones a$$ in Washington he hasn''t kissed?

Good campaign slogan though "I was against torture before I was for it" or perhaps "If I can take it, you should too" or maybe "Torture!...it''s not just for psychopaths now"

[bgddy58]

Geez, the choices just keep getting worse and worser.

[jncc1701]

I hate to rain on the Condi parade but McCain is a product of his times and Naval days, there is no way he will nominate a woman to be his running mate.
Don''t get me wrong, I am not saying he is a total Neanderthal but he is not going to "bond" with a woman VP they way Condi has with her work husband Bush.

Also lets all remember McCain''s hypocrisy in November, not just on torture, but campaign financing, and Bush policies. He went through a miraculous conversion to Bushishm when he did the math and realized how much money he would need to buy the presidency.

Reminds me of a guy name Slick Willie.

[bobgee_1999]

Great idea. That''ll make sure we get a Democrat presidency. I''m for it!

[truthspeake2]

LOL...spin, spin, spin. All this would do is help reglue the "fractured" GOP and ITS base. I hope he does choose her because that will put the last nail in McCain''s coffin because America surely doesn''t want more of the same ***. Condi''s creditability beyond the Bushbots is null and void and would only capture that same 32% who still eroneously think GW has done such a wonderful job!

Where in the hell did they get this freakin'' story from.....somebody clearly has been smoking too many leafy vegetables. LOL

[kofiananimus]

Bush might be willing to give a promotion to the woman who said she had no idea Bin Laden was a threat and let 9/11 happen despite a PDB titled %u201CBin Laden determined to strike in the U.S.%u201D, but no way in h*** would the American people.

[random_radar]

Condoleezza Rice is the most adroit woman ever in the history of American politics. I don''t agree with her, but I can admire her. She is the ultimate example of a person who has made her way in the world despite tremendous opposition.

She would make Clinton look like a frumpy librarian by comparison. She can run circles around Obama in public speaking.

And, yes, folks--she is both black and female! And a true (ugh) conservative to boot! What more could the Republicans want? Do they want to win or lose the election? Do they think they can win with two white men?

[random_radar]

Another thing to consider is that Condoleezza Rice is absolutely loyal. Undying loyalty is worth a lot everywhere. Vice presidential running mates have to be unfailingly loyal to the cause. Condoleezza Rice is the very incarnation of a perfect running mate. Frankly, I would choose her as my running mate even though I disagree with her politics. She is good.

[jsilver2th]

This would be the absolute best Obama could hope for- Racist voters would have no where to call home... The Chuck Norris McCain''s too old crowd would be looking at President Condi... She would be a clear continuation of Bush war policies and has not been a great Secretary of State by any means just ask Donald Trump-

[jsilver2th]

Really tokenism- Blacks know what that''s about and would stick with Obama-

[quatermass2]

What a farce. here''s a woman who was steamrolled by Rummy and Cheney when she had the title (but not, apparently, the actual JOB) of National Security Advisor. Name a single accomplishment she has as Secretary of State. Here''s a lady who had to go shoe-shopping when Katrina wiped out New Orleans. This is someone who let it slip she thinks of Bush (BUSH, for crying out loud!!!!) as "her husband. This is a ridiculous fantasy.

[terrapin78]

Bu$h on steroids and have another Bu$hie as the VP.

It will never fly.

People want to turn the page and forget about the last 8 years. Electing that ticket would continue the Bu$h era and doom this nation.

[blazercoach1]

The Nation continues to show how liberals can''t see past demographics. Just because you folks can only see as far as gender and color, don''''t paint the rest of us with your sexist and racist brush.

Rice, although qualified for the job, would NOT be a good choice for McCain because she does not give balance to the ticket on ISSUES.....something I believe the American people care more about than pandering to demographics.

Rice is strong on national security....so is McCain. What does he gain with her on the ticket? He has claimed over and over how he is not strong on economics. So he would and SHOULD choose a VP with strength in economics.

I''m not surprised that The Nation thinks its readers or the American people are dumb enough to think that gender and race are the be-all end-all of what matters. It''''s not true for conservatives or most independents. But that''s NOT who The Nation is talking to......

[gkc99]

One problem with Condie: the Republican candidate would have to utter the words "George Bush", something they have all assiduously avoided up to the present time.

Condie would remind of the disastrous Darth Bushit regime. The Repugs are running away from Bushit as fast as their stubby little legs will carry them.

No, Huckleberry is a much more likely choice.

[trillion1]

Since McCain will go down in flames it would be nice if he took that lying Rice with him.

[terrapin78]

"The Nation continues to show how liberals can''''t see past demographics. Just because you folks can only see as far as gender and color, don''''''''t paint the rest of us with your sexist and racist brush."
Posted by blazercoach1 at 04:59 PM : Feb 14, 2008

That means so much coming from a Repug. No one paints you other than yourselves.

We all know that racism is a Repug plank of the GOP platform. They try to hide it but just look. And look at how far we have gone backwards since 2000.

Does Jena ring any bells?

[jerkeedoodle]

Cool!Pappy Popcornfart and Cornholaweasel!

[Razzl]

Rubbish! Don''t disappear from public view for 30 years and then reappear trying to sell us some absurd twaddle that doesn''t stand up to a moment''s scrutiny. McCain needs to run as far and fast as possible from anyone who had anything to do with engineering the Iraq disaster, and Condi is up to her elbows in it. Any confused apolitical types who might vote for McCain on account of having Condi on the ticket would be balanced off by the millions of us who will be certain to donate lots more to Obama to drive a stake through what''s left of the Bush vampire...

[bm6005]

This woman is a prime example of the Peter Principle. If she was half as smart as some say I''d vote for her but as it is my border collie is smarter. Her analysis of Russia, supposedly her strong suit, was way off. Her term as SOS is laughable! Remember she hired Wolfowitz back. ROFLMFAO!!!

[harp1963]

God help us all if these two take control of the United States. Get ready for a draft.

[ramos937]

Sorry, Rice has already made her firm plans. She intends to take a long rest starting 1/21/2009 and then start work at Standford University, CA. where she was before Bush. There she will only have the students to contend with. She can hardly wait.

Also, she will propose to Gary Coleman who will immediately dump his new bride for Rice.

[blazercoach1]

Terrapin, you''re demonstrating the problem. See, you think that the Jena problem is easily explained by politics. If they''re racist, they must be Republicans, right? Isn''t that painting with a broad brush? Isn''t that discriminatory?

You know....the previous governor of Louisianna was a DEMOCRAT. More people voted DEMOCRAT in the primaries. The state is far more balanced than you think.

As for me...I''m not racist/prejudiced enough to blame the Jena problem on anything but ignorance...which is universal. By the way, read anything about the young man involved in the Jena beating recently and his behavior in Dallas (Hebron High School)? I suppose you think it was a Republican who egged him on?

Come on.....just because YOU can''t think about the complexity of anything, don''t drag the rest of us down into your prejudices.

[blazercoach1]

The Nation continues to show how liberals can''''t see past demographics. Just because you folks can only see as far as gender and color, don''''''''t paint the rest of us with your sexist and racist brush.

Rice, although qualified for the job, would NOT be a good choice for McCain because she does not give balance to the ticket on ISSUES.....something I believe the American people care more about than pandering to demographics.

Rice is strong on national security....so is McCain. What does he gain with her on the ticket? He has claimed over and over how he is not strong on economics. So he would and SHOULD choose a VP with strength in economics.

I''''m not surprised that The Nation thinks its readers or the American people are dumb enough to think that gender and race are the be-all end-all of what matters. It''''''''s not true for conservatives or most independents. But that''''s NOT who The Nation is talking to......

[adiant-2009]

Besides going to church on Sundays, what other achievements has Ms Rice accomplished? Do you really think that there are enough fundamentalists in this country to make a winner out of McCain just because he picks a religious non-achiever as his mate? Come on!!! Get real. This country is not as dumb as you think it is. It is you, st. . .pd!

[haidessalami]

Just what the American people are looking for. A ticket that''ll be happy to keep us in Iraq for another 200 years. And just wait until they unveil their brilliant plans for Iran....

[bluescoot47]

As a Republican and veteran I could really get excited about this combination of McCain & Rice.
With this combo, Clinton & Obama don''t have a chance.

[denn034]

Wow! I hadn''t considered Rice as a VP. If McCain picked her, then, her extreme competence would be a definite plus that''s for sure. I have no problem with Rice being VP or even President for that matter. I like the idea.

[cbs_oliver]

Condoleezza Rice is most certifiably deceitful person in the Bush administration bar none.

She is a cold killer if ever there was one.

Smart.

Knowledgeable.

Evil.

I don''t usually like to use the word "evil", but I''ll make an exception for her.

[bud28dy]

I laughed so hard I cried after reading this ridiculous op-ed piece. Adding Rice-- a detested and failed Sec of State for the most despised president in recent memory -- to John McCain''s already doomed campaign would be like setting fire to the Titanic. It''s time for her to take her diploma from some glorified community college (Univ of Denver) and go flip burgers.

[joyous88]

when you have one criminal why not add another to the mix

now we will know where they both are, they can''t steal as much when we watch,, can they?

[jerr11]

If Rice is right for the job, Bin Laden can''t be far behind.

McCain/BinLaden ''08

That''ll make a great bumper sticker!!

[nearl4511]

Naw!

Richard Cheney is to be selected as the next VP. No change from the current lot, really.

[tiredofthebs]

Condi as Vice President ........ hmmmm. The word "TOKEN" comes to mind.


-IMPEACH BUSH

[nyckate]

totally freaking insanity ,,, unfreakingbelieveable,

[lucasnico]

totally agree with bluescoot47......am very excited about a McCain--Rice combo. That alone will insure a democrat in the White House come next January!!

[wogerwabbit]

nah... McCain and Hillary... two sellouts for the price of one.

[ubrew12]

lucasnico said: "am very excited about a McCain--Rice combo. That alone will insure a democrat in the White House come next January!!"
Agreed. Doesn''t the Nation know our nations reflexive hatred of ''experts'' and ''smart people''? What do they think got Bush elected...twice??? No, two talking-heads is two too many for most Americans. McCain/Huckabee would be more to the liking of most bible-thumpers in the U.S. That way, once they were elected, McCain would probably be ''offed'' by these born-agains so one of their ''own'' could become President and order Armageddon against Islam.

[tibu987]

Incredible. First, McCain makes the most asinine statement of the campaign:

"I don''t think Americans care if we are in Iraq for 10 years, 100 years, 10,000 years."

Second will be if McCain selects, or the Republican big wigs force Bushes ineffectual shill, Condoleeza Rice, as McCain/s vice presidential running mate.
This woman, Rice, should never have left academia and it would be wise if she returned to that profession post haste. It would be another nail in the Republican coffin to have this Bush puppet as McCain''s running mate.

[standlee5]

Total dream ticket, McCain/Rice. Awesome, awesome team.

[standlee5]

I was thinking McCain would pick Lieberman but Rice would by far be the best choice for VP. I hope she can find the time to campaign because she''d be awesome.

[sean7phil]

I love Condi Rice but she is not Presidential at all (and a VP has to be presidential). She does NOT have magnetism as the article claims. She is a great Secretary of State but she is far too intellectual to connect with average Americans. Her personality ultra-brainy. **This not a bad thing in the right place but ultra-braininess has not historically translated into Presidential appeal.

[gce65]

RICE??? talk about the KISS OF DEATH to a McCain candidacy...
Has she done ANYTHING successfully under Bush, either as Natl Security Advisor or as Sec of State?
Why not just tie an anchor around McCain''s neck and toss him in the ocean?