Spin Queen

I didn't expect a single succinct or candid response from Condoleezza Rice at her confirmation hearing this week. Judging by her previous testimony before the 9/11 Commission, the woman is truly the Queen of Spin, intentionally finessing answers to the point one forgets what her original point was. The only remarkable thing about her testimony was her subservient, almost servile, attitude towards George W. Bush.

Though the rest of the Committee largely treated Rice like a guest at a tea party, Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer asked tough questions and were the only dissenting votes on the confirmation.

I have a newfound respect for California's Barbara Boxer. She was the only senator who objected to the certification of electoral votes from Ohio, opening the crucial issue of election transparency to debate. She also expressed her tendency to vote no on the confirmation of Attorney General nominee Alberto Gonzales once it gets to the Senate.

Now this. As the transcript showed, Rice's certain confirmation didn't faze Boxer, who kept hammering the nominee on the Iraq war. Boxer said, "I personally believe...that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell this war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth."
The relentless questioning finally got to Rice who blurted, "...I really hope that you will refrain from impugning my integrity" though Boxer did no such thing. What Boxer actually did was enumerate Rice's conflicting statements about the Iraq war and asked that she explain them. Besides, Boxer didn't have to impugn her integrity; Rice has done a good job of it herself.

In an amazing display of insensitivity, Rice also said, "...the tsunami was a wonderful opportunity to show not just the US government, but the heart of the American people, and I think it has paid great dividends for us".

Boxer didn't let her get away with that either, saying she was disappointed at the response and that Rice "blew the opportunity" to be the voice of reason.

Indeed. This is the woman who will be our ambassador to the world? So much for diplomacy.


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