Condi’s Moment

national review online ^ | March 31, 2004 | Mark Goldblatt

[ride the whirlwind]

The archetypal liberal is the guy who, every morning, drops a dollar in the lap of the homeless man camped out in front of his apartment building and who, every evening, blames conservatives for the fact that there's a homeless man camped out in front of his apartment building. In other words, liberals don't think things through; they opt for gestures, knee-jerk reactions that feel good, without the slightest consideration of long-term consequences.

Such was the case in their demand that National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testify, under oath and in public, before the 9/11 Commission. Now their demand has been met. Testify she will, even though there's no compelling reason for her to do so; indeed, she's already testified — albeit not under oath — for four hours in private session before the commission. There's not a shred of evidence she lied.

Even in the wake of former counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke's damaging charges that the Bush administration was asleep at the wheel before September 11, 2001, the White House was reluctant to let Rice testify publicly under oath because of the dual principles of executive privilege and separation of powers; if Rice's testimony creates a precedent for presidential advisers being summoned to appear before legislative committees, then future advisers might become less likely to provide presidents with frank and forthright counsel.

The liberals insisting Rice testify thought nothing of such principles. They knew only that Bush was against it, so they were for it. Whatever it takes, as long as they were sticking it to the president.

Now the liberals will get their wish: Dr. Rice will tell her side of the story, under oath, in public. And with the suspense that's already gathering around her appearance, it will be a hit. The rest of the nation will soon discover what careful observers of the Bush's inner circle already know: Rice is the most poised, articulate, and convincing speaker in the entire administration. She will mop up the floor with Clarke.

Want a "for example"? In his tell-all book, Clarke asserts that the first time he mentioned al Qaeda to Rice, in January 2001, "her facial expression gave me the impression that she had never heard the term before." Except in October 2000, Rice gave a radio interview in which she discussed al Qaeda. So much for facial expressions.

Not only will Rice make short work of Clarke, she will emerge from the hearing with conservatives flinging themselves at her feet, begging her to run for president in 2008. (There's already a website devoted to her potential candidacy even though she's said, on multiple occasions, she has no interest in the office.) And it would serve liberals right if she did decide to run, for Rice would be their worst nightmare. She would win the women's vote outright, peel away half the black vote, and set back the Democratic party for a generation.

But that's not the kind of thing liberals concern themselves with. Right now, they got her to testify. They stuck it to Bush.

It sure must feel good.

[ride the whirlwind]

Author certainly has a high opinion of our Condi!

[Eala]

[Eala]

Setting expectations too high is another way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory...

[nkycincinnatikid]

I wonder if the media will cover or report on her testimony? What if there is a big rainstorm somewhere that day.

[ride the whirlwind]

Air of caution duly noted. That said, I hope she kicks butt!

[cajungirl]

Right. Lowered expectations are better. If dems think Condi is going to go down with a whimper, they will tune in with popcorn to watch. Indys will watch out of curiosity. I do hope she blows them away with her seriousness.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Except in October 2000, Rice gave a radio interview in which she discussed al Qaeda. So much for facial expressions.

Actually, I think she mentioned bin Laden, rather than al Qaeda.

[So Cal Rocket]

[Tax Government]

Condi in 2008.

[FormerLib]

The only thing the media will show will be the grandstanding speeches of the leftists.

[HamiltonJay]

Rice will mop the floor with the liberals... She is without question one of the most articulate, informed, intelligent and dedicated persons in Washington today.

To think that a handful of race baiting, poverty pimping, pander to any group to win re-election liberal congressmen will do anything but show themselves for the shills they are by trying to "get" Rice is laughable.

I know Condi does not seek the job of the President, however, if she smokes them today, which I fully do expect. She will set the stage undoubtably for her to be not only the first female, but also the first african american president as well if she desires to take it.

[Republican Red]

I wonder if the media will cover or report on her testimony?

Fox News will cover it. Probably they will cover it gavel to gavel on the day she is testifying. David Asman of Fox News made mention that their ratings have been huge for the 911 commission.

CNN and MSNBC on the other hand will probably ignore it. But since they have lost half their audiences anyway, will anyone actually notice?

[Grit]

Let the Google-Bombing commence:

Presidential Material

Our Next President

[MrB]

Rice would be their worst nightmare. She would win the women's vote outright, peel away half the black vote, and set back the Democratic party for a generation.

THIS is the "stake through the heart" that I've been looking for.

It isn't safe to vote for a party with true Constitutional principles until the DemRats are no longer a threat.

[MrB]

Actually, I think she mentioned bin Laden, rather than al Qaeda.

Actually, THAT'S A DEM/LEFTIST TALKING POINT.

[ride the whirlwind]

Yes, just like when she became the first female, minority, youngest (38) provost at Stanford.

[Uncle Miltie]

Doctor Condoleeza Rice, a beautiful intelligent conservative powerful black woman.

Bring it on!

[GraniteStateConservative]

What you said was a non sequiter.

[GraniteStateConservative]

What you said was a non sequiter.