Et tu Condi?
August 7th 2008 22:50
Things just do not look good for John McCain this morning. And the person he has to blame isn’t Barack Obama this time. It’s not even a member of the Democratic Party. This time, his troubles come from within.
It’s been a well-kept secret on Capitol Hill that Barack Obama has been getting frequent foreign relations and security briefings from none other than Bush Administration Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Time Magazine reported this week that Obama has taken to calling the Republican regularly to get her advice and opinions on a variety of matters related to his perceived weak spot: international affairs. Sources close to the Secretary imply that the relationship between Obama and Rice is more than between current Administration member and Presidential nominee. In fact the source makes the claim that in the event of an Obama victory in November Secretary Rice would still be willing to take his calls for advice in relation to foreign affairs.
It’s a matter to celebrate: a more partisan Secretary of State would be prepared to brief Obama on the issues and leave the rest to his advisors to come up with, but Rice seems more than comfortable giving her own views on the issues to the scion of the Democratic Party. In any other occasion, one could think that Condi was jostling for position and trying to sure up a spot in an Obama Administration Cabinet. Which is exactly what she was asked this morning, with an interesting response.
This morning, Condi made the claim that contrary to the portrayal of fellow Republican John McCain, America would be safe under an Obama Administration. Condi pointed out that the US was in the middle of an important debate about how to keep the country safe and that she personally would feel more than safe under the leadership of a hypothetical ‘President Obama’. It’s a damning indictment for Obama’s opponents. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have seized upon Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience as a cause for concern when electing him as President, a claim Obama has tried to subvert with his recent overseas tour in which he was received as a rock-star. Now, he has himself in a winning position. Republicans in general have praised the efforts of Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State and her judgement as a diplomat. To trust her judgement as a diplomat, one would have to trust her judgement of Obama’s capabilities and so McCain now would have to fire a volley at Secretary Rice in order to undermine the Obama campaign.
But it gets worse for McCain than political strategising. Condi was asked about the constant rumours that she would serve as a possible VP contender with McCain, which she categorically denied. But the problem wasn’t her denial, so much as the way she worded it.
"I don't need another job in government with anybody. Look, I'm a Republican, all right? Senator McCain is a fine patriot and he would be a great president," she said.
Hmmm. Not a glowing endorsement of McCain, surely. But still, it seems from this quote that Condi is giving lip-service to the Republican ideal of a McCain Presidency, while still making it clear that it’s not her cup of tea. Then comes the fatal blow for McCain.
"But there's something to be said for fresh blood.”
I bet McCain wish she’d stopped with her lack-lustre endorsement. Sure, the fresh blood comment was made in reference to McCain picking a different running mate to her. But the term “fresh blood” only calls into question McCain’s age and give barely veiled support to Obama, particularly coming directly on the heels of her other comments.
They say there is no loyalty in politics except if the loyalty benefits you. Condi Rice has never been particularly known as a friend to McCain but she has been known to be a faithful servant of the party over the years, and so the Republican Party leadership must be wondering what the hell she was thinking. But I think it goes deeper than the here and now. Condi is now ready to leave politics. And if she’s going to leave, I think she’s realised that she can say and do what she likes without worrying about political repercussions.
But that doesn’t help McCain. He just wishes she had kept her mouth shut.
It’s been a well-kept secret on Capitol Hill that Barack Obama has been getting frequent foreign relations and security briefings from none other than Bush Administration Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Time Magazine reported this week that Obama has taken to calling the Republican regularly to get her advice and opinions on a variety of matters related to his perceived weak spot: international affairs. Sources close to the Secretary imply that the relationship between Obama and Rice is more than between current Administration member and Presidential nominee. In fact the source makes the claim that in the event of an Obama victory in November Secretary Rice would still be willing to take his calls for advice in relation to foreign affairs.
It’s a matter to celebrate: a more partisan Secretary of State would be prepared to brief Obama on the issues and leave the rest to his advisors to come up with, but Rice seems more than comfortable giving her own views on the issues to the scion of the Democratic Party. In any other occasion, one could think that Condi was jostling for position and trying to sure up a spot in an Obama Administration Cabinet. Which is exactly what she was asked this morning, with an interesting response.
This morning, Condi made the claim that contrary to the portrayal of fellow Republican John McCain, America would be safe under an Obama Administration. Condi pointed out that the US was in the middle of an important debate about how to keep the country safe and that she personally would feel more than safe under the leadership of a hypothetical ‘President Obama’. It’s a damning indictment for Obama’s opponents. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have seized upon Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience as a cause for concern when electing him as President, a claim Obama has tried to subvert with his recent overseas tour in which he was received as a rock-star. Now, he has himself in a winning position. Republicans in general have praised the efforts of Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State and her judgement as a diplomat. To trust her judgement as a diplomat, one would have to trust her judgement of Obama’s capabilities and so McCain now would have to fire a volley at Secretary Rice in order to undermine the Obama campaign.
But it gets worse for McCain than political strategising. Condi was asked about the constant rumours that she would serve as a possible VP contender with McCain, which she categorically denied. But the problem wasn’t her denial, so much as the way she worded it.
"I don't need another job in government with anybody. Look, I'm a Republican, all right? Senator McCain is a fine patriot and he would be a great president," she said.
Hmmm. Not a glowing endorsement of McCain, surely. But still, it seems from this quote that Condi is giving lip-service to the Republican ideal of a McCain Presidency, while still making it clear that it’s not her cup of tea. Then comes the fatal blow for McCain.
"But there's something to be said for fresh blood.”
I bet McCain wish she’d stopped with her lack-lustre endorsement. Sure, the fresh blood comment was made in reference to McCain picking a different running mate to her. But the term “fresh blood” only calls into question McCain’s age and give barely veiled support to Obama, particularly coming directly on the heels of her other comments.
They say there is no loyalty in politics except if the loyalty benefits you. Condi Rice has never been particularly known as a friend to McCain but she has been known to be a faithful servant of the party over the years, and so the Republican Party leadership must be wondering what the hell she was thinking. But I think it goes deeper than the here and now. Condi is now ready to leave politics. And if she’s going to leave, I think she’s realised that she can say and do what she likes without worrying about political repercussions.
But that doesn’t help McCain. He just wishes she had kept her mouth shut.
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