Please see Luke’s post on topic just prior to this one, below — GREAT comments there too!
Peggy Noonan has been one of my favorite writers for decades now. Most know she was a speech writer for President Reagan, but even without such notable credentials, she is gifted.
Secretary Rice — Photo Credit: AP
In her weekly Op-Ed column in The Wall Street Journal, she describes how she thinks both presidential campaigns are, well, “subdued.”
She ends the editorial with this surprise (referring to one of four items of importance still to learn of the candidates — the fourth being veep choice):
About which a note. Speaking the other day to a gathering of businesspeople from across the country, I mentioned the subdued nature of the election and my thoughts as to its reasons. I was surprised to get no push-back afterward, even from political enthusiasts, only agreement.
But the news: When conversation turned to the vice presidential nominee, I said we all know the names of those being considered, spoke of a few, and then said Condoleezza Rice might be a brilliant choice.
Here spontaneous applause burst forth.
Consider: A public figure of obvious and nameable accomplishment whose attainments can’t be taken away from her. Washington experience—she wouldn’t be learning on the job. Never run for office but no political novice. An academic, but not ethereal or abstract. A woman in a year when Republicans aren’t supposed to choose a woman because of what is now called the 2008 experience—so the choice would have a certain boldness. A black woman in a campaign that always threatens to take on a painful racial overlay. A foreign-policy professional acquainted with everyone who’s reigned or been rising the past 20 years.
I should add here the look on the faces of the people who were applauding. They looked surprised by their own passion. Actually they looked relieved, like a campaign was going on and big things might happen and maybe it could get kind of . . . exciting.
[emphasis added]
There are so many reasons this would be a “brilliant choice” as suggested by Noonan above, in my opinion. She has been thoroughly vetted at the highest level of public opinion. Her credentials of national security and foreign affairs are outstanding. Most important to me is her preparation as an executive leader — indeed, she is a proven executive. If events caused her to become President, she would step in immediately as a strong, tested leader — she would not have to learn on the job as other VP candidates would and as Mr. Obama is still attempting to do (and failing) as POTUS.
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If he is going to announce it, I say do it real soon. Critics are already starting to try to squash her credibility bringing up WMD’s and the Iraq war. As it stands now, her character is going to get assassinated and Romney and Rice can’t say anything until it is verified she is his VP. Get her name out there, and get her out there on the trail.
I’m sorry, but if mitt want to win, he is going to have to stay away from goerge w’s staff. He’ll have to win over some demecratic voters and I believe that choice would alienate more than convert. As much as I think she would be a great choice, we got to win this election. This country can’t take 4 more years of obamanomics. God bless america
I think it would be important to remember that Mitt will choose the VP. If that VP is from the Bush days, its because he has calculated it as such, along with his team. The Thinking presented above needs to be in our minds. If Mitt doesn’t pick the person you think is best, get over it and vote for Mitt.
Peggy Noonan supported Obama. her past Reagan credentials are erased.
Condi is good woman, but weak and a bit of a NeoCon, with the Bush stigma. Next, please and not Rubio. At least Condi’s a natural born Citizen.
Yes , PEGGY NOONEN, best candidate, best choise !!
Chris christy.
enough with the birther crap…
Condi got us into Iraq and has a neocon lipstick stain on her collar. Bring her on. Won’t matter anyway, the Supreme Court and Rove have already decided this one. Cash is king.
I believe Condi Rice is an EXCEPTONAL person. She offers so much common sense to the American dialogue and we should be proud of her devotion to the RIGHT things for this country as far as her personal life racial experiences, domestic stability and foregin policy knowledge. She should ALWAYS be included in Mitt Romney’s circle of reliable and credible advisors. However, WE MUST WIN THIS ELECTION and she brings too many factors open to destruction by the MSM and the Obama campaign who will pound her relentlessly day after day after day. Mitt does not need those distractions to overwhelm his central theme of the economy and the other critical issues of education, military and foreign policy. We also do not need the stubborn evangelicals huffing and puffing around and staying home on election day because she is pro choice – not this time, not this election. We need a quality candidate who is conservative from the South to balance the northern image of Mitt. We need all cylinders to be firing at one time this election and although I have faith that Mitt will know all of these things, I am still compelled to share these thoughts with others for discussion.
Laird: your attitude is why we still have “Obama.”
Condi could be the right move for Mitt. Not a bad choice. Smart women.
Will be brief: I agree with Renna 100%, and don’t believe that anybody who was part of President Bush’s cabinet should be the VP nominee, so I don’t see Rice as a “brilliant” choice at all. If the pick was to be somebody very closely connected to the president, I can see Jeb Bush a lot more than I can Rice.
I wish it is true. I’ll thank Gov Romney for his courageous decision forever :=) Unfortunately, the cons are much higher in the conservatives circles. Let’s suspend the unnessary argument for VP pick. Think Biden-Bozo.
Gov Romney,if no Rice, please, give us Jim DeMint.