"They knew that they would not suffer any retribution from the Black Caucus or black voters."
As I remember it, plenty of blacks were very upset at the treatment Condi received at her confirmation hearings.
"Blacks don't vote on race but on party lines."
Yes, when black politicians are perceived as just black players on a white guy's team. A black congressman here, a black mayor there, doesn't do much to get most blacks excited. A potential black POTUS would be completely different. The Dems know it, and they're scared. That's why they gave Condi the 3rd degree. They have to go after her, regardless of the potential fallout. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Any names?
A potential black POTUS would be completely different. The Dems know it, and they're scared.
Don't believe it. Besides, the GOP should not use that rationale to nominate a candidate for POTUS who has never served in elective office. Just because the Dems will nominate Hillary, doesn't mean that we have to come up with a female candidate as well. I will reiterate, Condi is not considered black by the community, just a puppet or a "house slave" as Belafonte called her and Powell.
The following senators voted against Rice: Akaka (D-HI) Bayh (D-IN) Boxer (D-CA) Byrd (D-WV) Dayton (D-MN) Durbin (D-IL) Harkin (D-IA) Jeffords (I-VT) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Levin (D-MI) Reed (D-RI )
It is interesting to note that this was the greatest number of no votes for a Secstate nominee since Henry Clay. Hillary and Obama voted to confirm.