Reason Rice will be SoS: #4: Because McCain is being a jackass—and Obama is sick of it.

[Tx4obama]

Why Susan Rice Will Be Confirmed As Secretary of State

State of War
The Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet over the possibility that Susan Rice will replace Hillary Clinton. But the winner is already clear.

1. Because every piece of available evidence suggests Obama wants her in the job.
-snip-

2. Because Rice is manifestly qualified for the job.
-snip-

3. Because nothing she did with respect to Benghazi disqualifies her from the job.
-snip-

4. Because McCain is being a jackass—and Obama is sick of it.
-snip-

5. Because if McCain insists on pressing that fight, Obama will win.
-snip-

Full two page article with details here: http://nymag.com/news/politics/powergrid/susan-rice-secretary-of-state-2012-12/

[Sunlei]

1. I don't understand why Republicans hate her, they must covet the position for some reason.

[Walk away]

2. McCain has hated Susan Rice since 2008

She was one of Obama's advisers during the campaign and often criticized McCain in the press. It was easy to make him look foolish and war mongering and she did....because he is.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/susan-rice-repeatedly-criticized-mccain-as-dangerous-and-reckless-during-2008-campaign/article/2513552#.ULFWsoZzk3E

[Cosmocat]

5. They are dicks

flat out.

Same reason they are now blovating about wanting Obamacare in the budget talks.

They just can't help themselves from being absolute dicks.

[sarcasmo]

33. Racist dicks.

[Iggo]

12. Minority. Woman. Democrat.

Pick one.

[democrattotheend]

34. I don't know about that

McCain supported Condoleeza Rice for SOS, who is a minority and a woman. I am pretty sure he supported Clinton, who is a woman and a Democrat. I don't think you can say that the opposition to Susan Rice is based on her race or gender, or party (he can't be expecting Obama to pick a Republican, and he said he would support Kerry). His reasons for opposing Rice are baloney, but I don't think they are race or gender based. I think they are part of his strategy of trying to trump up Benghazi as some big scandal.

[demhottie]

43. Rush Limbaugh is a racist who likes Clarence Thomas

Being racist does not mean you hate ALL black people, just the ones that do not conform to an Uncle Tom vision of how blacks should act, think and behave.

Saying that Rice, a Rhodes scholar is "not bright" is, frankly, a racist attack on her intelligence. The irony that this comes from a man who thought Sarah Palin was qualified to run the country is even more outrageous.

[lunatica]

50. As long as Clarence Thomas does the bidding of the White Massa he's acceptable

It has nothing to do with liking him.

[demhottie]

51. Did you read the rest of my post????

Please read first before trying to correct what someone has posted.

Being racist does not mean you hate ALL black people, just the ones that do not conform to an Uncle Tom vision of how blacks should act, think and behave.

Saying that Rice, a Rhodes scholar is "not bright" is, frankly, a racist attack on her intelligence. The irony that this comes from a man who thought Sarah Palin was qualified to run the country is even more outrageous.

[lunatica]

57. I was agreeing with you

Sorry I didn't make that more clear.

[demhottie]

59. Oops

[lunatica]

60. Mea culpa. Really!

[AAO]

16. Color of her skin?

[GeorgeGist]

3. It's hard to take seriously someone who creates twaddle such as:

"Clinton’s impending departure, in other words, presents the president with a massive pair of pumps to fill "

"Over the course of the past two decades, she (Rice) has been a rising celestial body ..."

"Which is why I estimate there is a 79.4357 percent probability that Susan Rice will be confirmed early next year as secretary of State, and the vote won’t even be close. Just remember: You read it here first—and Nate Silver ain’t got nothing on me."

[applegrove]

4. They are going after Rice because they

don't want the best candidate for SOS. They don't want Obama to have another very succesful four years in foreign policy. The GOP want foreign policy back as one of their strengths, and not for it to be entrenched in the minds of Americans as somethings a Democratic Party excels at. They are sick and desperate.

[Cosmocat]

6. Yeah

I am getting the vibe on this, and frankly, it is worth the fight.

They are going to be dicks about EVERYTHING regardless, so no reason not to dig in your heals and have it out over this.

She is a good, qualified candidate, and there is no reason she should be confirmed if he picks her.

BO let them rip too many good people from him the first four years, time to draw a line and in the sand and make stand.

[BlueStreak]

7. WWLBJD?

What would LBJ do?

Obama needs to learn how this game is played. LBJ would pick up the phone and call McCain privately. It would go something like this:

John, aren't you tired of getting your ass kicked yet? I beat you soundly in 2008, and I just whupped your party again. Romney tried to make an issue out of Benghazi, and I kicked his ass with it. You are putting me in a position where I have to give you another public whuppin' and I really don't want to do that.

John, you're a good man. You're a real war hero. don't throw that all away by making a damn fool out of yourself.

You see, I wasn't even planning to name Rice as SoS, but now you have put me in a position where I have to do that and ram it up your ass in front of all your friends. Don't make me do that.

If you would attend your own committee meetings you would know that what Susan said was exactly what the CIA put out in their talking points. If she had said anything different, she would either be lying or else she would be giving away classified secrets. She did nothing wrong here and I can't allow you to target her like that.

So here's what you do. This Sunday, you go on those shows and you explain that you are now satisfied Susan acted properly and you have no reason to believe she is not qualified to be SoS. If you don't do that, I guarantee you that she will be the nominee and I will take it straight to you, no holds barred. You will end up looking like a petty, senile old man.

John, we've been through a lot together and I swear I don't want to do that. So don't make me. You go out and fix this tomorrow, ya hear?

[libdem4life]

8. K & R

[47of74]

9. He should take a page from The Rock Obama

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/the-rock-obama/1167716/

[nevergiveup]

10. That was funny and on the money.

In the day LBJ would have twisted McCain into a pretzel and as you suggest, it would have only taken one private phone call.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

11. +1 nt

[Hekate]

22. Trouble is, there was only one LBJ ...

... and he worked in a time when that was actually possible. Members of Congress lived in D.C. and so did their families -- they got to know each other. They knew when and how to compromise to get the job of governing done.

LBJ was in the House of Representatives from 1937 to 1949, and in the Senate from 1949 to 1961. He had a forceful and persuasive personality, and he knew all the players. He knew which buttons to push, which levers to press, and where the bodies were buried.

When LBJ became vice president, his political skills and knowledge were second to none.

I am an ardent admirer of President Obama, but he has several disadvantages relative to LBJ.

First and foremost, the days of compromise to get the job of governing done are gone, and have been since Newt Gingrich first blew into town in 1979. Under the George W. Bush administration I was so furious and disgusted that I started comparing the GOP notion of "compromise" with date rape: "Roll over little Dems, it won't be that bad." And then there is the infamous and possibly treasonous oath taken by a cabal of Republicans the very night of Obama's inauguration: that they would do everything in their power to prevent him from having even one accomplishment to his name and to hell with the nation.

Second, he never had the kind of relationship with his fellow Congressmembers that LBJ had because he simply wasn't around long enough to develop them. He was a one-term senator who got impatient with the gridlock, ran for president, and won. I'm really glad he did that -- but it means that he needed to develop other ways of dealing with the legislative branch.

Cheers!

Hekate

[BlueStreak]

23. Obama is no LBJ, but that doesn't mean he has to be a patsy all the time

He should still have this conversation with McCain, letting him know:

a) Obama will play hardball; and

b) McCain will lose

I hated having Rahm Emmanuel around, but I'm thinking if Rahm were still on the scene, McCain wouldn't be going off half cocked, because Emmanuel would deliver that message.

[Hekate]

31. Obama is not a patsy, and never has been

Personally, I loved "having Rahm Emmanuel around" -- he could be bad cop, when needed.

[BlueStreak]

47. I guess I can't have it both ways

I hated Emmanuel being such a jerk, and it drives me nuts that Obama won't play hardball. Those are somewhat contradictory feelings.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd take the softer Obama without Emmanuel.

[1StrongBlackMan]

28. Some additional disadvantages that LBJ didn't have to contend with are:

1) the make-up of congressional character has changed. Back in LBJ's day, a call like that would have been met with knuckling under, or not; but it would NOT have been met with a leaked recording of the call and a press conference wherein the chastised congressman whined about how badly the POTUS treated him.

2) LBJ did not have the "Angry Black Man" specter hanging over his head. When LBJ made such calls, it was seen as him being a "tough, bare-knuckled politician"; were President Obama to make such as call (and have it made public), the story would be all about his being an angry Black bully, intent on acting as an anti-Democratic dictator.

[Hekate]

32. Bingo

You got it

[CTyankee]

24. god, you're funny! I can just see LBJ talking like that!

You gave me my first big laugh of the day! You are brilliant...

[1StrongBlackMan]

27. What makes you think he hasn't?

That tactic works only when you have a rational opponent ... one that feels/recognizes that they have something to lose; McCain is neither. He has proven himself irrational AND the only thing he has to look forward to, because of Senate rules, is the minority Chair of the Indian Affairs Committee.

[BlueStreak]

36. He doesn't have it in his constitution.

Obama is a genuinely nice man. He could not make that call.

[1StrongBlackMan]

41. Okay ...

I won't even ask when or how you were admitted into President Obama's inner circle ... You know, the only ones that can speak to his constitution.

[BlueStreak]

46. What? His actions speak for themselves.

He is, and always has been, much more comfortable being accommodating to a fault. If he behaves differently behind the scenes, we would see different results. He has never once played hardball in his entire 4 years. It is not in his constitution. He cannot do it. He doesn't think that way. He believes that with enough kindness, he can win over the other side.

He has had some success operating that way, so I am not saying that is all bad. I'm just saying he is emotionally incapable of playing hardball.

[1StrongBlackMan]

53. Okay ...

I agree. Were President Obama to "play hardball", it is likely that we would see different results ... It is entirely likely tjat we would not be enjoying the successes that you credit him for.

The efficacy of "playing hardball" can only be judged by the operator(s) on the ground; not those of us postulating from outside of the arena. IMO, President Obama has made all the right calls, as evidenced by the successes we currently enjoy.

[Voice for Peace]

30. haha well put.. I can hear LBJ's voice

[brush]

54. Enjoyed this post

Because of the Vietnam war and being mislead by his generals, LBJ doesn't get the credit he deserves for getting all the "Great Society" and civil rights legislation passed that he did. And he knew that passing the civil rights legislation would lose the Dems the South but he did it because it was the right thing to do. And later he had enough sense and honor to bow out and not seek re-election as the war was going badly and creating much turmoil in the country. He didn't play the "war president card" like the person who shall remain nameless by the repugs.

[Myrina]

55. Oh, I Wish ....

... POTUS would be possessed by the spirit of LBJ and do this to just about every GOP critter out there, including Boehner, Ryan and McConnell.

[BlueCaliDem]

13. MAIN reason: if he doesn't, the GObstructionistParty will see it as a win

and it will embolden them to push for more and become even more obstinate. This would take away the president's strength much too early in his second term and he will never get anything done without a major fight.

He must keep the O-mentum going for the good of the country.

[rhett o rick]

14. Pres Barack Obama understands that anyone decent will get the same treatment. Might as well draw the

line.

[ReRe]

15. Hands down, Susan Rice is the best qualified...

... for the job, & she will be nominated and confirmed by the Senate. I came to this conclusion a few days ago. (Who am I? Nobody, just an astute observer.) There's just too much against McCain in this fight that has not been brought out to the public and when the confirmation hearings begin, the Democrats will bring it all out. No, they would rather not do it, but the feathers will fly & doo-doo will hit the fan if McCain & Graham besmirches her in any way. It won't be pretty.

[MessiahRp]

21. John Kerry is better qualified, IMO.

It's just that everyone is too chickenshit to appoint him because nobody seems to have faith in MA Dems to win the vacated seat against Scott Brown.

[demhottie]

44. They are both "qualified"- this isn't a ranking of the person with the most experience

but of the person who best fits the goals and objectives of this administration. Frankly, I find the assumption that other people can make this assessment better than the president can to be offensive.

[MessiahRp]

48. No offense but that reply is sort of sad.

Was Rahm Emanuel and his liberal hating screed the right "assessment"? How about Geithner and Immelt, two of the people that were architects of the economy's collapse? How about keeping on Petraeus and making him head of the CIA?

Just because he's "Our" guy doesn't mean he ALWAYS makes the right calls. He's wasting political energy on Susan Rice because he has a personal like of her. It's been clear since the re-election that all Republicans have even said in the media that a John Kerry confirmation would be a breeze. Wasting energy on her because she's an inner circle friend is a waste IMO when we could be using some of this mandate on legitimate issues.

[demhottie]

56. I meant that she more than meets the threshold for being "qualified", not that Obama is infallible

You might call it wasting energy, but there is something in McCain's slur against this Rhodes scholar- that she is not bright- that is so deeply racist and sexist that Obama can't afford NOT to fight this particular battle.

The decision to detract from legitimate issues is McCain's, not Obama's.

[MessiahRp]

58. I don't disagree about the racial undertones here...

but I don't even think that's what it is about. They thought she was an easy target to use to attack Obama further on Benghazi which I think in their feeble minds they believed that they could carry through to impeachment to permanently damage his legacy and any attempts he has towards passing his agenda. It worked on Clinton so I am guessing that this stupid game of "Gotcha" and attempt to lead it to Impeachment is going to be continued for the next four years.

[karynnj]

45. [phone]

I suspect that McCain and all are really trying to make Rice the nominee to get both a brusing confirmation and to get a SOS less adept at dealing with Congress and with far less star power than John Kerry internationally.

In 2009, Clinton was preferred here by many who argued that JUST because of her greater name recognition, she could do more. Kerry in 2009 had more expertise in foreign policy and had more diplomatic skill. Now, Kerry is still likely the more diplomatic and his 27 years experience on the SFRC - not to mention his life experience before then in Vietnam and protesting it, makes him an exceptional candidate.

The fact is that the opposition to her has created the story that she is the first choice - meaning that if she is not chosen, the story will be Obama caved. If Kerry is the choice, he deserves better than that in his own right.

Here is a good article on that - http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/alter-john-kerry-right-choice-to-head-u-s-diplomacy-1.4253770

Notice that Clinton appears an exception to his thesis, but remember she was given SOS, when her experience would have been far stronger as HHS head, leading the healthcare effort.

[MessiahRp]

49. The GOP has already said in a number of media outlets that Kerry will have an easy confirmation

This is wasting political capital on an inner circle friend, IMO. We need to trust the very liberal Massachusetts electorate to do the right thing and use our mandate on things that matter more legislatively.

[karynnj]

52. I agree and never meant to imply anything other than an easy Kerry confirmation

It was Rice who I was speaking of on that.

There are any number of Republicans, who even when they have disagreed with Kerry, have praised him. I have heard no Senator question his ability or his demeanor in terms of this position. Lugar's comment praised the way he has run SFRC. The fact is that Obama picking anyone else is seen as passing Kerry over - just as it was seen in 2008. In both years, he was the person who really was the obvious choice. The media has had articles calling each thing Kerry has been called on to do - which he has in each case done quietly and brilliantly - a test that he needed to pass to be SOS. The fact might really be that Obama knows that even if he again picks someone else Kerry will still be there to serve the country.

[Canuckistanian]

17. He'll just put McCain down as a "no"

And carry on running the country as the people directed him to do.

McCain is now as relevant as the hula hoop in American politics. What an embarrassment.

[CTyankee]

25. I agree with you. This is EXACTLY what the electorate voted against: gridlock over

inane stuff. Only the narrow band of repub psychos are out there supporting McCain. Most people want the country moving forward and see this as more of what we experienced before and they are disgusted. That McCain can't entertain this thought is evidence that he is too old and too rigid to think straight...

[Third Doctor]

18. Just look at the optics of this

Mccain would be blocking and besmirking a very qualified black woman for no logical reason except what? The repubs don't need this type of fight going into 2014 and if they were smart they would avoid it but.. We know they are not so get ready for a fight.

[BlueStreak]

19. Besides, cabinet appointments are rarely that close

That is just not the kind of thing the opposition usually takes a stand on. They might try their usual filibuster to see if they could extort something else out of Obama, and that is exactly why filibuster reform is essential.

You are right that the optics are terrible. If the filibuster reform says that the GOP has to conduct a real filibuster, they wouldn't keep that up for long, because there is just on principle that could justify such a spectacle.

Once it comes to the real confirmation vote, Rice would probably get 15 or 20 GOP votes, making it something like 70-30. And that would make McCain look ridiculous. Frankly I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few GOP Senators who are sick of McCain's act and might take this opportunity to further embarrass him.

[hrmjustin]

20. K&R!

[geckosfeet]

26. Because the senate confirms, and congress whines.

As far as I know, congress has no authority over cabinet confirmations. I wonder if this whole scene is part of a power grab attempt by congress.

on edit: BTW - all this noise has given Rice a lot of exposure that she otherwise would not have had. And what I have seen has been very favorable and positive. McCain is being a fool - very poor cutting of the nose to spite the face politics.

[Tx4obama]

35. I think you meant to say 'The House'. The Senate is part of Congress.

Congress is comprised of two chambers: The House AND The Senate.

The Senate confirms admin/cabinet appointments and federal judicial appointments.

The House has no power or vote regarding appointments.

[Cha]

37. Yeah, so as someone upthread said..

"put mccain down as a ..No." And, lindsey.. they'll go to the end raging on and on about.. "Susan Rice..Benghazi!"

[geckosfeet]

38. I meant congress as in where the congress people hang out.

[Tx4obama]

39. Okay. Then you are mistaken.

You said: "... As far as I know, congress has no authority over cabinet confirmations. ..."

It is The Senate that confirms The President's 'cabinet appointments'. And The Senate is part of Congress.

[geckosfeet]

40. jeez - pedantic much?

OK - you are right.

[dkf]

29. Are you kidding me?

How can you take someone seriously when they tell you people spontaneously came with mortars and heavy equipment to a stupid demonstration over a video?

I mean it doesn't pass the laugh test much less the smell test.

Obama needs someone with a little more discretion in understanding the believability of her words. I don't trust her to give any decent counsel to Obama.

The fact that Hillary wasn't the one peddling the "spontaneous attack" speaks volumes to me.

Susan Rice is no Hillary. We need someone better.

[Beacool]

42. Well, if she's in Obama's inner circle and Jarrett's protege,

then that's all the requirements needed to become SOS.

Whatever...........

Personally, I think that Kerry is more qualified.