Time to Pimp Rice
posted at 3:26 am on September 23, 2009 by Michael van der Galien
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Nina Easton wrote a tremendous op-ed for CNN in which she argues that Republicans have to pimp Condi Rice:
To skeptics in search of a political home, the GOP’s image has devolved into that of a minority collection of name-calling, “no”-saying, backward-looking, talk-show bullying cranks — a definition gleefully perpetuated by Democratic pols. So next time the eloquent and elegant figure of Condoleezza Rice strides onto a stage, GOP strategists worried about their party’s future should pull out their notebooks.
I interviewed Rice onstage last week on the closing day of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women’s Summit, where she achieved a star-turn — and did so while mounting a vigorous defense of former President Bush’s oft-vilified foreign policy, and delivering a pointed critique of President Obama and congressional Democrats.
First things first; the GOP is in less bad a shape than the Democratic Party. Yeah, Dems are in control of all branches of government, but they would lose the elections if they were held today – and chances are they’ll lose them next year as well.
That does not mean that Republicans are popular, however. Just like Democrats won because they succeeded in discrediting Republicans and their ideas not because the American people suddenly supported the party’s far-left plans, Republicans have made a comeback in the polls because voters have turned against Democrats. And for no other reason than that.
This means that once Republicans make a comeback Dems could very easily do what they did during Bush 43rd’s administration: Go after Republicans relentlessly until voters believe they’re nothing more than a bunch of corrupt villains inevitably resulting in victories for Democrats.
And so it’ll continue for years until voters have zero confidence (not healthy critical but unhealthy cynical) in politicians of any party, which has a paralyzing effect on a democracy.
Republicans can only hope to become a permanent majority by convincing voters they’re not merely less bad than Dems, but that they’re good. That their ideas aren’t just less bad but good for America.
The GOP needs angry conservatives to discredit the opponent, to show voters that the current leadership of the Democratic Party isn’t so much interested in doing what’s best for the country but what’s best for them – and what’s in line with their far-left ideology, reality be damned.
And that’s where people like Rice come in. They appear (and are) reasonable, articulate, positive. They have original ideas. Unlike people like Glenn Beck, they can convince voters they can improve the country – they can make it better, more prosperous and stronger.
Fast forward: That means it’s time to pimp Rice and others like her. They should be the face of the party. They should attract voters instead of merely turning them against Democrats.
More Rice please.
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As an outsider I do think that there have been times when I felt disappointed with Condi during her time as SOS. These times were specifically when she seemed to take a Dhimmi attitude with regard to Islam. However, I think that was the fault of the department people….
That being said, I must say that I have been most impressed with Condi Rice, especially when she took on that student who attacked her over the GWB policies. Condi showed that she is indeed a very strong woman. I believe that she would make an excellent President. She has the presence, she is articulate and she is incredibly smart and intelligent…. I cannot say the same thing about the incumbent in the White House.
When I compare the job that Rice did as SOS and in extremely difficult circumstances to that of Hillary Clinton, I can see one helluva big difference. Rice was very professional, Hillary has been an inept joke. Rice did not lose her cool in the face of the criticism that she received at the hands of the Muslim militants in Lebanon and elsewhere. She accepted the slights with dignity…. something that is not discernible with Clinton.
Yes, we all need to see more of Rice so that she becomes the face that is the real alternative to what is already a very corrupt administration….
maggieo on September 23, 2009 at 5:43 AM
“Yes, we all need to see more of Rice so that she becomes the face that is the real alternative to what is already a very corrupt administration….”
Yes, but I think it would be unwise to focus too much on Rice. It’s not about Rice herself as such – it’s about the kind of politician, the kind of Republican she represents. In other words, it’s best to have her become one of the faces of the Republican Party, but others like her have to be synonymous with the GOP as well. A team of Rices, in other words, is what the GOP needs.
As far as I can tell, at least.
Michael van der Galien on September 23, 2009 at 6:21 AM
To quote Rush:
“See I Told You So!!!”
I was part of the “Draft Condi” movement. When we weren’t being interviewed by national media and appearing at regional and state GOP conventions, we were being pelted by Romneyites and Paulians saying “She’s pro-choice”, “She has no experience”, “She believes 9/11 was caused by Al-Qaeda”.
Just for future refernece, if needed, I can assure you Cxondi wants abortion restrictions. She said this on “Meet the Press” back in ‘05. She also believes in parental notification and that abortion shouldn’t be funded by the Fed. She has written that as medical technology advances, she has become more pro-life (since we now know so much about a baby’s genes so early in pregnancy.)
There, I feel better now.
Lothar on September 23, 2009 at 8:53 AM
I don’t really care much for the term ” Pimp” as it relates to Dr Rice and I wish the author would have found a more respectful term to use. However I agree with the basic premise of the article.
Dennis D on September 23, 2009 at 9:03 AM
A debate between Hillary! and Ms. Rice would be like shooting fish in a barrel for Condi, but a debate between her and The One? Without his teleprompter? I’ll bet that would get viewership that would rival “American Idol”. How’ll the left go about trashing Condi Rice? Call her a “racist”? An “Uncle Tom”? They’ll be sputtering as much as Obama would in such a debate.
With the current descent into race-baiting by the left, the next black president will be a Republican. The Dems have pissed in the pool and tainted any future black candidate from their party, no matter how “centrist” or “moderate”.
tpitman on September 23, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Dennis: I used the word pimp deliberately because it relates to popular culture and, therefore, to modern society. ‘pimp my car,’ etc. I did not, however (I didn’t even think about it to be honest), try to insult Rice by using this word. Its meant as in “PR-ing” or “putting in the spotlight,” etc.
Lothar: Could you provide some handy links for more on her social views?
Michael van der Galien on September 23, 2009 at 9:22 AM
And so it’ll continue for years until voters have zero confidence (not healthy critical but unhealthy cynical) in politicians of any party, which has a paralyzing effect on a democracy.
Sorry, Michael, but I feel this has already happened. The only way for Republicans to gain ground with voters who feel that both parties are corrupt and power-grubbing is to make a clean break with the past. Unfortunately, that means Condi’s association with Bush would be a severe liability. I think she knows this.
Personally, I would have loved to have seen her run last election – she certainly would have done better than McCain, and probably would have given BO fits. He’s an empty suit; she’s all brains and ballz.
ProfShade on September 23, 2009 at 9:28 AM
That is definitely true.
Michael van der Galien on September 23, 2009 at 9:34 AM
“Sorry, Michael, but I feel this has already happened. The only way for Republicans to gain ground with voters who feel that both parties are corrupt and power-grubbing is to make a clean break with the past. ”
I understand your point but how do you think they can make such a “clean break”? What constitutes a “clean break”? Rice isn’t a clean break, no matter what her views are, no matter how reasonable, intelligent, anti-corruption she may be (etc.), because she served in a previous administration? Don’t most (prominent) Republicans have similar problems, then? They’ve been associated with Bush as well. They can’t restore confidence then either.
And the ones who will succeed them eventually – who are now still relatively young and unexperienced – will be helped along the road by these old-timers – which makes the ‘young ones’ untrustworthy as well, if you demand a clean break at least.
No?
Michael van der Galien on September 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Michael van der Galien on September 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM
—–
Regarding what a “clean break” may look like, I just gotta ask.
Seen any Whigs around recently?
Mew
acat on September 23, 2009 at 10:32 AM
“clean break”
Yep. I’m not talking to the choir here, Michael, or ABOUT the choir, but most Independants and folks who are fed up with both parties would react much stronger to a candidate that has little or no baggage. And I believe most of these folks would view inexperience as a plus, not a minus. Myself? I’d vote for Condi in a heartbeat. If mainstream Republicans think they can turn this around with the ’same-old-same-old,’ they are delusional, and setting themselves up for another defeat.
ProfShade on September 23, 2009 at 10:44 AM
ProfShade on September 23, 2009 at 10:44 AM
—–
Yes, the gutless D.C. wing of the Repubs need to be taken out behind the woodshed… and left there.
The problem that I see is how to make that sustainable. Can we just, Frankenstein-style, slice off the D.C. wing, and substitute new leadership, or do we need to go through a purge?
If a purge, then .. we may be looking at a situation where there’s competing Republican parties for a while… and that’ll lead to pretty massive Dem victories if it falls to in-fighting.
Mew
acat on September 23, 2009 at 10:50 AM
In short, liberal talking heads know a real loser when they elect one. first they buy into the hopenchange their candidate spews only to realize after nine months their winning horse is still out campaigning. It gets pretty bad when one of their own Hollywood liberal lackeys(Harrison Ford) has to shout out during an interview for Obama to “Step Up!!” It just doesn’t get any better than this.
lonestr on September 23, 2009 at 10:55 AM
“If mainstream Republicans think they can turn this around with the ’same-old-same-old,’ they are delusional, and setting themselves up for another defeat.”
Agreed. But I’m not saying they should do so with the “same-old-same-old.” Quite the contrary, even. I am saying, however, that if you want to start producing results now you’ve got to work with the material you’ve got now, not what you hope to have tomorrow.
And that ‘material’ has to be the best of what’s available now.
Michael van der Galien on September 23, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Michael – Condi is certainly one of the best…and, unfortunately, because she is, I doubt she’ll ever run. There is some talent on the bench, but nothing Reaganesque yet, as far as I can see. Damn, she would have kicked butt last year. Oh well.
ProfShade on September 23, 2009 at 11:32 AM
***
Please don’t use the word PIMP in an article about the decent and talented Condi Rice. She is an accomplished person of high intelligence and integrity. Using PIMP in this post is offensive to her–it gives the unintended impression that she is a W***E.
***
I have always been impressed by this woman’s talents and real accomplishments–in many fields. And I think she has a good heart and is honest. I don’t agree with all she has done–but I would like to vote for her as President one day.
***
Sarah Palin, John Bolton, Condi Rice–proud Americans all.
***
John Bibb
***
rocketman on September 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Pass. To paraphrase Lloyd Dobler, “I gave her my heart and she gave up on Israel.”
Tanya on September 23, 2009 at 12:44 PM
In late May 2005 she did an interview with Tim Russert on “Meet the Press” talking about running for president . She also mentioned her abortion views.
There are 2 books that are must-reads: Condi by Antonia Felix (biography that includes why she supports the 2nd amendment and what her family did during the Civil Rights movement.
Twice as Good by Marcus Mabry- This is more critical of her, but she explains her social views. her family and friends are interviewed for the book.
The AFDR and Think Condi blogs are both down, but you can read about her from my blog: I haven’t blogged for a long time.
Here is a good article from George Will on Condi’s gun views: She also won an award from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Lothar on September 23, 2009 at 1:05 PM
To the moderator:
I messed up my hyperlinks in my last message. Can you fix them? Should I just re-post?
Lothar on September 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
In late May 2005 she did an interview with Tim Russert on “Meet the Press” talking about running for president . She also mentioned her abortion views.
There are 2 books that are must-reads: Condi by Antonia Felix (biography that includes why she supports the 2nd amendment and what her family did during the Civil Rights movement.
Twice as Good by Marcus Mabry- This is more critical of her, but she explains her social views. her family and friends are interviewed for the book.
The AFDR and Think Condi blogs are both down, but you can read about her from my blog: I haven’t blogged for a long time.
Here is a good article from George Will on Condi’s gun views: She also won an award from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Lothar on September 23, 2009 at 2:12 PM