And the man called Rumpelstiltskin, he of thimble-sized laments and vindictive undermining, or as we know him by his earthly name, John McCain, has gotten his way.
We’re sure McCain is happy with this result — or he’s supremely depressed that his one true usefulness to the Republican Party since 2008 has now found its uninspiring, bitter, bullshit end. Just what the hell else is he going to do with his rotten core of a corpus now that he can’t harangue someone into resigning from a post they were qualified for but never actually received?
The only thing McCain and his network of hand-wringers in the GOP had was an appearance Rice made on a Sunday morning pundit show in which she regurgitated talking points given to her by the CIA. And on that notion alone McCain started a full-fledged Benghazi meltdown of epic proportions and tantrum throwing in his obsessive zeal to have Rice not confirmed for the post of Secretary of State. You’d have thought this was his Les Miserables Javert moment for all the theatrics that were involved. However, in realizing that his Benghazi talk would only get him so far, he decided he wanted to peer deeper into Rice’s background. He’s brought up the genocide in Rwanda and potential links to nefarious African leaders (of course) and scrutiny of her personal investments (A woman who invests in things to make money? For Realz?!!)
All of which has led Democrats to surmise that this whole inquiry has little to do with Benghazi and it’s about politics and also racial and sexist animosity. Three things that would’ve just made the confirmation process a hellish nightmare if the Democrats were accurate. Can’t you just imagine the righteous indignation and aghast faux outrage that would ensue emanating from McCain and his cronies once the confirmation process got underway? The railroading and finger-pointing, the skulking and screeching like a night bird from atop a desolate, lonely tower of insanity with only his convictions and the blood soaked rag to wipe his maw with as he picked over the lacking-in-scandal scraps of Susan Rice’s past to keep him warm. Sigh.
This leads us to Rice’s withdrawal from contention.
“If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama obtained by NBC News.
“That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country,” she continued. “Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time.”
This is the Senate at work, people. Bully tactics and red herring schemes led by one wizened old tree knob of an insecure loser who plucked Sarah Palin off a veritable Alaskan cereal box. This is the person in charge of leading the charge against Secretary of State nominees. This is who we trust with our future. This is who we keep around because some group of dinguses still like the way “Maverick” sounds when McCain whispers it in the dark halls of the Senate chamber.
Obama sounds saddened in his response — or maybe it’s also tinged with a little “Come At Me, Bro” resoluteness? We’ll let you guys decide.
“As my Ambassador to the United Nations, she plays an indispensable role in advancing America’s interests. Already, she has secured international support for sanctions against Iran and North Korea, worked to protect the people of Libya, helped achieve an independent South Sudan, stood up for Israel’s security and legitimacy, and served as an advocate for UN reform and the human rights of all people. I am grateful that Susan will continue to serve as our Ambassador at the United Nations and a key member of my cabinet and national security team, carrying her work forward on all of these and other issues. I have every confidence that Susan has limitless capability to serve our country now and in the years to come, and know that I will continue to rely on her as an advisor and friend. While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first. The American people can be proud to have a public servant of her caliber and character representing our country.”
It’s likely the front-runner for the job is now Sen. John Kerry, with Rice seen as a potential pick for National Security Adviser – a post not requiring Senate confirmation.
What with the Fiscal Cliff looming and Republicans still fighting for tax cuts for the wealthy, and now the lambasting of a successful African-American woman for one of the top seats in the nation, the GOP is batting a thousand with the middle class, women, and minorities, aren’t they?
Nope.
Update: Because he can’t just leave well enough alone, John McCain in response to Susan Rice’s withdrawal has thanked her for her service but said he’d continue to “seek the facts.” Good grief. Is there no knitting class at the Senate Shady Pines Day Program?!
“Sen. McCain thanks Ambassador Rice for her service to the country and wishes her well,” said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers. “He will continue to seek all the facts about what happened before, during and after the attack on our consulate in Benghazi that killed four brave Americans.”
