The Drudge Report set off a firestorm late Thursday when it reported that Condoleezza Rice was the front runner for the vice presidential nod from Mitt Romney. Cheers and jeers could be heard from all around, along much speculation as to whether this would be a good thing or a winning move for the campaign. It was a lot of wasted energy because it will never happen.
The original report had credibility because it’s an open secret that Matt Drudge is close to the Romney campaign. It was obviously a tip that Romney’s folks had given him. But it makes no sense for a couple of reasons: one from Romney’s standpoint and one from hers.
From Romney’s Standpoint
Romney wants three things in a VP. First, he wants someone who would be a plausible president if the need arose. She fills that bill. She has served as a president’s national security adviser and as Secretary of State. Second, someone who is a safe pick who will do no harm (he doesn’t need to throw a “Hail Mary” with his veep pick). Third, someone who won’t steal his thunder. She doesn’t pass muster on those last two.
By definition a selection is not safe if the person has never run for office before. I don’t care how long he or she has been around politics. When it’s your fanny on the line and it’s you they’re taking shots at, it’s different. I have seen tough operators seasoned by years of political warfare crumble when they were attacked after deciding to run for offices much less exalted than vice president. Condi has never run or had the desire to run. And no one has any idea what she thinks about the host of domestic policy issues, other than she is, as she puts it “mildly pro choice.” I don’t care how mild it is, that’s causing some Republicans severe heart burn that will not go away. And Romney has already said that he would select a pro life VP nominee.
On the second point concerning “stealing his thunder,” I’m not just talking about the ego that any person in Romney’s position would have, and the fact that as a black, female, Republican she’s just more interesting than any of us white-bread guys. It’s just that, as much as possible, Romney wants to set the agenda and define the issues as he sees them. With Condoleezza Rice, the discussion over the Bush years would increase considerably. While a lot of good things happened in those years, she was deeply involved in some of the most controversial parts. North Korea, Iran, weapons of mass destruction, etc. You can bet that the press and the Obama campaign, which would try to break her in every sense of the word, would not be focusing on anything that she wanted to talk about.
From Rice’s Standpoint
What about the nomination from her vantage point? I’m afraid that this is where the notion is doomed to fail for another reason. It is a fact that Condi Rice is a rational and sane person. She has been a part of the process, up close and knows all of the points that I’ve made above. But, more importantly, she obviously doesn’t like politics very much. She has always been, and still is, a policy person. It’s my guess that, regardless of what she thinks of his presidency and especially his policies that are diminishing the United States and its status in the world, the last thing in the world she would enjoy doing is spending the next few months ripping into Barack Obama, which the vice presidential nominee will be required to do.
The liberal Democratic black “leaders,” who claim to speak for all African Americans, would accuse her of being a traitor or worse.
So the question arises, why would Romney aides put this out? Was it to change the subject from Bain and Obama’s attacks? I thought that Romney was getting the best of Obama the last few days. Even the Washington Post has called the Obama attack on outsourcing, lies about every way they know how. Besides, Bain isn’t going away.
About all they’ve done is disappoint Condi supporters and raise suspicions again from pro life folks that Romney is having squishy thoughts. So who knows why they did it. Sometimes smart guys outsmart themselves.
Of course I could be wrong about all of this. In that case, never mind. Please just remember what Yogi said, “Predicting is tough. Especially about the future.”
- Fred Thompson
Could it simply also be that her repeated statements that she simply isn’t interested (bared out by your statement that she’s more policy than politics,) would be the determining factor?
Too bad. I’d still love to see her and either Colin Powell or Allen West form a Pres/VP ticket in any order.
I can’t imagine Condi Rice being aggressive enough to tear into Obama as will be needed in the near future! I could certaintly see Allen West doing it though! He is an incredible person and a force to be reconed with. Romney, needs a partner who will “tell it like it is” to counteract his ” tell little ” personality!!
But Romney would be wise to offer her a position of some sort, along with all the others who ran against him, and throw in Sarah Palin too. When Obama said he was going to fundamentally change the United States, many thought he meant for the better. Now that we know the truth, lets get about really changing it into a vibrant growing country, and not a broke has-been nation that has to bow down to others.
The names that are being thrown around as “Mitt’s top four choices” for VP are very ill-considered.
They woefully underestimate the anger and frustration of the core of America. We do not need another “Good Old Boy” team. We need someone who understands the truly disastrous consequences of another Obama term. (“Steal his Thunder be damned.”)
Will someone please give Mitt a good shake and tell him to go after this boy-child charlatan who now, it appears, is having a wonderful time bullying his fainthearted, unassertive opponent?
As for VP, do you want to get Romney elected? Really? Not get the GOP party elected, but someone who will hear the voices of ALL liberty-loving Americans.
In two words, CHRIS CHRISTIE. Did you hear him speak at the Brookings Institution? THAT is the kind of rhetoric that America is longing to hear from a Pres/VicePres ticket.
Why does no one understand this?
Chris Christie will be the ingredient that would sweep Mitt into office. In a landslide.
I pray to the Lord that someone there begins to understand.
Condi is much too valuable to waste as a running mate for Romney. Romney is a loser. I would like to see Condi stay neutral and be available for another State Department position (maybe as Obama’s next secretary of state.
Ha ha haaaaa. Don’t worry, I’m not laughing with you.
So, do you think Herman Cain would like a position on the Obama team as well? Ms. Rice is a conservative, and our president is a Marxist…
In the strict sense of reality, that means that they are at odds with each other’s political views.
Read the president’s books. He is a Marxist, and if the predominant religion in the US was Islam, he’d publicly claim to be a Muslim. Do you agree with those views?
Maybe you just see in black and white, and have them confused with left and right.
Where is the ruthless Romney that easily tore into Newt, but pussyfoots around Obama? I do not see a profile in courage but a man who doesn’t completely know what he stands for – or at least doesn’t want us to know what he really stands for. I’m truly sorry Newt didn’t make it; because this country needs a real shaking-up. Instead, the establishment shoved Mitt down our collective throats and now they don’t even know how to support their own guy! It’s pathetic. He should be beating the pants off Obama by now. I’m worried that Mitt has that awful syndrome: a need to be loved by the mainstream media.. All RINOs and moderates possess it.
That’s the ticket! Now that the conservative has been picked, pick at him for not being exactly what you want. Seriously, you’d rather have Obama again?
Did you ever think that just MAYBE you could and should support him now? Fuss after the election, since the primary is over? Meanwhile, fight for your own team.
I was a little bit apprehensive when I heard Condy might be the nominee, knowing her feelings about running in the past. But I’ve been hopeful anyway. I can’t think of a better nominee for VP. although Mr Thompson made some great points. On one hand I Mr. Thompson knows the ropes, so to speak and I think he should have been one of the top two for our presidential candidate in ’08. But on the other I’m hoping this is one of the few things he’s wrong about.
Well if you do not mind that she is FOR EVERYTHING Palestinian, and she is FOR abortion–then yes you would be glad to see her as VP. It is TOO appalling to think of. I sincerely pray she does NOT get the nod!!!!!
I hope that you are correct Mr. Thompson. It is my belief that a true conservative should be Mr. Romney’s selection for his VP. You would be a good one in my humble opinion. If Rubio is as good a person as advertised, perhaps he could help get a chunk of the Latino vote.
My father flew fifty missions over Nazi targets and I do not think he did that so that the USA could become France.
Z
I don’t agree, Fred. Condi is a smart, experienced, respected lady who has demonstrated her loyalty to the U.S. and the American way of life. The black community won’t see the Republicans as being “racist” with her running for VP. I see her more as a loyal American than any member of a political party. I actually agree with her on her “mostly” stance on abortion. There are truly life and death situations that cannot be held to a white or black issue. No pun intended to be sure. I would think the physician should be the determiner of whether or not it is necessary – not the government. As slow as they are getting anything done both the baby & the Mother would be dead while they debate. We should have a confident VP that could take over the Presidency should it (heaven forbid) be required. I have every confidence in Condi and I think most Americans do as well.
Another good read…clear and to the point. You would have served the nation well had you been elected president and yet, you sill continue to serve us all well with intelligent and cogent analysis of politics and public discourse.
Roger that Charles! F. Thompson was my candidate of choice. Unfortunately, he is right on with his commentary on this subject. I am a big Condi fan, but reality can be a painful. You have to have your head and heart in it to win it! “Hoping” for the best!
I believe President Romney is going to undertake a massive reorganization of the departments within the Executive Branch and is looking for a VP to coordinate those reorganizations. It could be someone who is not a career politician, someone who has a track record of such reorganizations, someone who doesn’t have a political career at stake for taking heat in goring a lot of political sacred cows in these departments. It could be someone who has expressed interest in public service and maybe run for election in a very liberal area but lost, but I doubt it will be a politician unless they are at the end of their political career anyway. A politician is just going to owe too many favors to too many people to pull this off. I think he is going to look for someone to play a role much like an executive vice president of a large multinational corporation in a top-down reorganization.
Someone of Carly Fiorina’s ilk is my guess. Maybe not her, but someone like her, who has at least one very successful massive reorganization that had to buck very serious institutional resistance to the changes.
I really think that she has way to much class to get involved as a VP and way to high of a IQ to get involved with Washington gang. Can you imagine a debate between Condi and Biden. It would be called Einstein and the pea bain
I still adore Condi Rice! She should be in a leadership position BECAUSE of all of those reasons. If Obama attacked her, then I think quite a few people would actually leave his side for being a whiner and hypocrite. Seriously, the liberals are such a small amount, albeit with the largest mouths, but they can and would be defeated with someone as stable, sane and even headed as Condi at the helm….
ROMNEY should not pick a woman for VP. They are trouble. Menstrual and menopausal problems of a woman VP or President would hinder the actions or decision making of a woman president or VP. Imagine, the US is ar war with IRAN and the woman Pres or VP is having her period. Should we wait a week? It is crucial for the safety of America to be ready at all times.
ROMNEY should NOT pick RUBIO, NIKKI OR JINDAL. all three are NOT ELIGIBLE to be POTUS. Their parents were not US Citizens when they were born. Same as in the case of OBAMA, he is also not eligible. His father is a non US citizen but but born a Kenyan and a subject of the British Crown. He never became a US citizen. So, STOP endorsing RUBIO, NIKKI OR JINDAL
ROMNEY should pick PAUL RYAN, OR ALLEN WEST OR RAND PAUL
We need a compatible team in the WH. PAUL RYAN IS VERY COMPATIBLE with MITT. They support each other from the very beginning.
.
Mr. Thompson
Great read, one thing i am also hoping Mitt will consider in his choice is the future President. While I think VP Cheney was a great VP, i always worried about the fact he wasn’t going to run after GWB. In my opinion, the VP should also be the next “contender” and the defender of the Past to ensure our future. One of the questions i hope Mitt is asking the future pick is, Will you run for the Presidency after i am done?
With the Greatest Respect
Chris
I’m concerned that she may turn out to be another Judas like Colin Powell, who will run with Romney and vote for Obama.
Condi, a brilliant woman, brought up in a Christian home, talented, experienced, bi-lingual and all but we have reservations about her lean to the Palestinians—She would be the best choice for a winning ticket that is fer sher—a virtual Cake Walk. But winning for the sake of winning—Well, maybe in the case of getting rid of BO, that is all that matters. A better choice and also brilliant, Allen West—what Americans would like to see—a Real American (and not a faux bro BO is with less than 5% African blood) who doesn’t waste words when it comes to Muslims and would undoubtedly rake in a lot of the black voters.
Star Parker would be great but doesn’t have the notoriety yet. Thomas Sowell is getting up in years—Taylor Haynes the next governor of Wyoming would be great if he had national exposure. Right now, only two Rice or West would put Romney in the winners circle. A Hispanic will not get the black vote, which is most important.
Romney is a RINO and cannot possibly win without a Condi Rice, a Star Parker, an Alen West, a Thomas Sowell, Herman Cain, JC Watts or a dozen others. It sounds racist to say it but the race card has been shown by BHO already and it only make sense to fight fire with fire. BHO is less African than any of the above but that appears to mean squat to the millions on welfare. They could care less.
In my view Romney was the poorest choice the Republicans could have made and he is the choice the BHO camp wanted—easiest to defeat especially when you can blatantly lie about anything and your constituents cheer it on! They haven’t used the Mormon issue as yet but when they get their grips on Shawn McCraney and the Heart of the Matter, just watch their smoke. Shawn did a program #92 “A Mormon for President?”you’ll find on when Romney was running back in 07 (?) that every Republican should have seen before selecting him as candidate. Brilliant! Electing Romney will be a major boost for Mormonism. That non-Christian entity is from where most of his money is coming. Mormonism like Islam, is not a genuine religion, it is a business. Islam is Civil Code.
No white candidate can win without a good percentage of the black vote and with Condi as Veep it would be a cake walk.
Fred, I implore you to find that program of McCraney’s—this guy is most believable and is a brilliant speaker—a Mormon for 40 years, knows his bible as well as the Book of Mormons. Be interesting to hear your take on it.. Also, McCraney’s book: “I Was a Born Again Mormon.”
There is no way Ms. Rice will be an effective running mate against BO. Recall her delight when interviewed after the election and she found out that the winner was BO. She could not contain herself, even though she knew what it would cost this country.
I’m with you Fred. I couldn’t figure it out either.
I still wish you had gotten the nomination back when.I would have worked my butt off to get you in the White House. It sure would have looked good on you. Now, I just hope our guy wins.
I think Condoleezza Rice would make a great VP. I also think The Honorable Lt. Col. Allen West would be even better choice. West is an “elected politician” and has “all the right moves” on his stances on key political, military and domestic issues.
In reality, it really doesn’t matter who Romney chooses – as long as he/she is electable. The ONLY objective is to defeat Obama. This is crucial for the long-term sustainability of our Constitutional Republic. Obama must NOT get a second term.
P.S. ==> My choice for 2008 and 2012 would be a Fred Thompson / Allen West team. This would be the kicker that could bounce Obama out of the White House.
I would love to see either Herman Cain or Mark Rubio as the Vice President and I lean toward Mark Rubio but Herman Cain would be good also.
Fred is right……as usual!
Fred, Its still not too late to toss your hat in the circle. I like most of the people being considered for the VP job but I have always respected you and wish you hadn’t withdrawn the last time.
Yes, Thank you for your well-thought-out commentary.. Appreciate the spirit in which you write, without rancor or prejudice. Old fashioned “horse sense”, much needed these days.
Dear Fred,
I want Mitt Romney to start throwing “hard balls” at President Obama. He is way to soft with his replies to accusations from team Obama.
Giving millions of dollars and drilling rigs to Brazil so THEY can drill for oil in deep water and then sell it back to us is about as flagrant an outsourcing job as any out there, thanks to the President. Other monies from stimulus packages that benefited other countries is outsourcing as well.
People want someone who talks tough to a bully. We want an “avenger” against this liberty stealing, constitution shredding administration!
I am praying for a ‘grassroots’ rebellion this Fall and that voices like yours are heard. Thanks, Fred. I’m a big fan. Sue Lavallee
How about you, Fred? Are you up for VP?
I think your tweets and columns show the sort of thinking (and “horse sense”–I like SCSharon’s term) we need, in a form that may even be accessible to those not normally “with us”. I was bummed 2008 didn’t pan out better for you.
Will you reach out to Romney and offer your services, please?
Thank you for your consideration!
There’s no way Mitt would pick Condi Rice for V.P. She would only add some foreign affairs experience but little else. She would not draw in any Black, African American, Negro, or “people of color” votes since they are locked in with the Democrats as a meal ticket. Obama will get 95% of their votes regardless. Marco Rubio makes the most sense and he would draw in votes from the “Latinos” who for the most part don’t object to taking care of themselves by working for a living. Besides, Rubio will draw interest from the youth vote and appeal to single women. He also has ample gray matter in his head and could do a good job as president should that be necessary. Forget about Rice, that is just a distraction and extremely unlikely to happen. As for the comment of Ms. Logg (above), I would just say, “No change? Just keep hoping.”
I enjoyed your commentary and look forward to your newsletters.VP ?: Must be conservative who can enunciate his points with clarity ,stand up to the media and oh yes…is qualified to lead the country should it become necessary. Our nation has strayed far from the idealism of the 1940 -1960 period as the political class accelerated the divisions in our society , the educators tore down our belief system and the media began to trash our morality. Thanks for being here as this most important election in our history unfolds.
Fred, good stuff. Here it is with all the bark on….”there take that democrats and liberals” is the impression conservatives will make on the country. Wrong? Color should not be a factor in choosing a VP and Drudge is drumming up controversy with his postings…..we must recognize that the media does that . Look for the real truth and respect the good things his column does. Its a slippery slope but it can be navigated. One of the things all us media people are guilty of is striving to get audience. If you could exist without that it would be of great service and reflect the real second amendment intentions. have a nice day charlie
You have made some valid points. However, I feel that Condoleezza Rice would make an excellent Vice President. She, and Mitt, would be a great team, and I do not feel that she would steal the spotlight. Also, I am vehemently opposed to abortion. She may have changed her opinion. I know that my views, on that horrendous procedure, have changed as I have matured.
Miriam Feldstein Case
Allen West for V.P.! Could not be stopped by any obama machine
I agree for at loeast a couple of reasons,joanne
Give em a break, Jules. The story is still developing and colloquial Southern American English takes years for a writer to “translate” into Standard American English.Read it again.And again.Until you get it: it is important enough for someone to tell the story; they deserve to be understood. Jason did his best. Now it’s your turn.