No, this is not a joke. Nor is it an oxymoron (for once). I can think of plenty of “R” words to describe Rice … “repressed” … “righteous” … “rigid” … “reticent” … “wRong” … but yesterday, when she gave an impromptu statement congratulating President-Elect Obama and, really, America as a whole, Condoleeza Rice looked absolutely, positively, 100% radiant.
Salon’s Joan Walsh offers additional context on Rice, and here is the video of her statement. See if you don’t agree with me, and see if you don’t think these words too: ebullient and … sincere.
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I find it interesting how surprised liberals seem to be that Republicans / conservatives can be gracious and sincere in defeat. Last night I saw Olberman look almost dumbfounded when he watched Bush give a very pleasant and sincere speech congratulating Sen. Obama yesterday. He actually asked someone if they thought he was acting.
In these early, early days of the Republican rebuilding phase the best thing we can do to start regaining the trust of the American people is to show them how adults are supposed to act when they lose an election. I think a clear contrast between these moments and the behavior we saw from Democrats after their defeats of the last 8 years is the best PR we can give ourselves.
Something tells me the O’s will not be missing from the keyboards in the West Wing on moving day next year.
Posted by Mike (PC) | November 6, 2008, 11:38 amPC, I think it’s surprising in light of the way this administration has conducted itself. It’s like the GOP finally woke up and realized that there’s a part of America that doesn’t agree with it. You can’t disagree that, for the first seven years, the Bush White House has conducted itself so as to ignore, stifle, or de-legitimize dissent. In fact, per books on the Bush White House (Angler, Terror Presidency), de-legitimizing dissent was almost half the point of the first term!
No doubt YOU, and Republicans in general, can be gracious in defeat. But you are far, far better than most of your ideological peers. Color me shocked indeed @ the Bush White House’s congratulations…
…but unsurprised about Bush’s hilariously botched congratulations message on Nov 4: “Mr President-elect, congratulations to you. What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters. Laura and I called to congratulate you and your good bride.”
WTF?
Posted by Ames | November 6, 2008, 11:42 am