C. Rice
Well Condi was swarn in this AM and she made history in several ways. She is the first Africian American female to hold the post, following the first Africian American male to ever hold the post, and she got more votes against her then any Sec of State nominee if over 100 years.
These votes against her came from the leaders of the Democratic party. This is extremely odd coming from a party that has long called itself the champion of civil and equal rights. The fact that Senator Byrd from West Virginia voted against Ms. Rice, as well as voting against both Africian American’s that have served on the Supreme Court, is not odd or surprising. The others that voted against Ms. Rice did it solely for politics. The thing that is odd is how little outcry comes from the civil rights organizations when Democrats vote against Africian American appointees. This shows me that race is second to poltics when you get to Washington, regardless of your past.
If the roles were reversed, and anglo Republican Senators were voting against Africian American appointees for a Democrat president race would be a issue. If the fact was that one of the Senator voting against the nominee was a former KKK member and had voted against previous African American appointees would be noted and discussed as well.
The long and short is that Ms. Rice was never in danger of not being approved, but that certain Senators took her nomination as a opportunity to launch against the president and his policies. No Secertary of State would be nominated if they were not able helpers and supporters of the presidents they serve. Ms. Albright supported Clinton without question, if she had not she would nto have had the job, but her support of questionable military operations (Bosnia, Somilia, and launching missles on Iraq to name a few) were never reasons to question her abilities. Ms. Rice speaks five langauges fluentently and is highly skilled and educated. She was in the Reagan presidentancy when the wall came down. She can handle this job and she should be allowed to serve.
