I find it increasingly more difficult being a registered Democrat these days. When I say that out loud I can almost hear a number of deceased family members rolling over in their graves. All I can say is it must have been a radically different party when they were alive.
The most recent event which has given me thoughts of a registration change is the embarrassing episode surrounding the Condoleeza Rice appointment as secretary of state.
There is not a single thing on this woman’s resume that would call into question her qualifications for this post. She is by education and experience one of the most prepared nominees we have seen in recent memory. During the past four years she has be arguably the most powerful woman in the world and has been in the front lines dealing with a myriad of foreign policy crisis.
Why then did she get the least support in terms of votes for her nomination since Henry Clay in 1825? Why would the second woman and first black woman to serve in this enormously important position be denied the respect that she deserves? Why was it so all fired important to drag this out and make an issue of an appointment that was a fait accompli?
It is particularly embarrassing for me as a resident of Massachusetts to see both Senator Kerry and Senator Kennedy in the vanguard of the Rice bashers. When the issues are candor and admitting mistakes these two make Dr. Rice look like an oracle of truth. Add to them the venerated Robert Byrd formally of the KKK and I guess the point is that even if Condi is a liar like them she can be rehabilitated and become a senator if the state gig doesn’t work out.
The rest of the list is predictable with teary Barbara Boxer and Wrongway Jeffords and Evacuation Dayton included. The list would have been completed if Hillary Clinton was on it but apparently she does have some political acumen.
Surely the black voters in the country cannot help but notice how warm and cozy these people are with Reverends Al and Jesse but someone like Dr. Rice who actually has a spotless record of achievement and service is not worthy of a simple rubber stamp.
