Why Obama Didn't Fight for Susan Rice

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/12/14/why_obama_didnt_fight_for_susan_rice.html

Why Obama Didn't Fight for Susan Rice


First Read: "To explain why U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice pulled out of consideration for the secretary of state post, it's important to remember this: A president only gets a finite number of fights with Congress, especially in the first year of a second term (which may be the last BIG year a president can win fights with Congress). And appointing Rice as secretary of state was going to be a fight, no doubt about it. So if you're a White House with a big upcoming agenda (resolving the fiscal-cliff situation, passing comprehensive immigration reform, maybe tackling energy or education) and if you're split on the top choice on the secretary of state (our reporting indicates that Rice was never the clear-cut favorite), sometimes the path of least resistance is the smart play."

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. Obama didn't fight for Susan Rice for the

exact same reason he didn't fight for Van Jones or Shirley Sherrod and the same reason he'll cut Medicare and Social Security....when push comes to shove this is not a guy with whom I'd want to share a fox hole.

[SummerSnow]

3. You have a valid point there. I see a pattern too.

[NOVA_Dem]

6. He's great campaigner but when push comes to shove he's not a fighter.

[Texin]

11. It apears the case; however, he needed to get re-elected.

I'm of the opinion that he would have come off as pugilistic and it would have made a huge number of voters (the Independents and blue-dogs, specifically) turn against him if he'd taken every fight to Defcon three every time. I do think he'll be more resolute than he's been in the past. The rest of the Dems in the House and Senate have a say in what's agreed to or not. I am not convinced in the least that Rice was his first choice in this, but he couldn't just come right out and say that. It's clear that the rethugs were trying to put him over a barrel and cause him embarrassment, but I think the message they were sending was more about Benghazi than Rice anyway. The Issas of the House would love nothing better than to find one teeny tiny little thing out of whack that they could use to impeach him. Couple that with the fact that they were slavering about that seat Brown lost in MA, and they just couldn't help themselves. I think they hoped that by forcing Obama's hand away from Rice and instead onto someone like Kerry (who probably would be better suited to the role and wants it according to reports), they would be able to get their hands back on that lost Senate seat that's as precious as gold to them these days. It'd be a hoot if Obama chooses someone who isn't currently serving in elected office right now and calls their bluff.

[JHB]

8. I think there's a big difference you miss there...

Obama's administration was (probably still is) almost allergic to anything appearing "radical left" (not that it has stopped the delusional Right from believing he is). Here on DU we've seen some of the rancor that stance produced on our side.

Van Jones was ok... until the "communist" comment surfaced. It didn't matter how dated it was, it projected the wrong image.

The highly (and fraudlently) edited video that brought Shirley Sherrod to national attention made her look like a radical zealot and bigot, and she was dropped like a hot potato because she was a "nobody" who was making them look bad... until it was shown to be a complete lie.

Both of them were dropped because of appearances: the Administration did not want even the appearance of being "radicals" or supporting what Washington insiders consider radical.

Rice is a different matter: there's no cloud of "radical activist" coloring this discussion, it's a purely political fight. One that now gets shifted to a different place.

[juajen]

17. I've said it before; so, here goes again. He appears to be a believer in

the "The Golden Mean." Aristotle is a good read. He does believe in being President of all the people except for radicals, right or left. It got him reelected. Independents and conservative women who believe in control over their own bodies, etc., rallied round, as did latinos. He will pick his fights carefully, but, overall, I believe he will be a good and memorable President. I am a progressive, but I do like this man, even though I thought I would not.

[forestpath]

10. +1

[Whisp]

15. bullshit

pure steaming pile of

[cliffordu]

19. LOL. Another expert bloviating about what the Prez will and won't do

Seen a LOT of prognosticators run out of breath here.

Your take on the Prez is one I'm going to enjoy revisiting pretty soon.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Fully agree

It's unfortunate, but the GOP's strategy of constant assault and feigned aggrievement was the winner here. Susan Rice for SoS wasn't worth the bloodshed. The problem for them is Obama didn't play into their hands and is now freed up to play hardball on more important matters, which I hope he does, because his opponents have the habit of feeling emboldened for the wrong reasons.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. People from the left opposed here too, including some here on DU

[BeyondGeography]

7. I know, but that wasn't really the story here

Even though it would certainly have added to the "why am I volunteering for this pain" factor for Obama.

[MrYikes]

5. I will not stab my President in the back

I assume he has his own ideas, methods and the ability to accomplish them.
But I will be happy to forget to send flowers to mccain, graham for their funerals.
Who is the lady Senator that dealt the final blow to Rice? Starts with a B. I don't want to forget her.

[CTyankee]

13. You mean Susan Collins? Why don't you spell out what you mean with "starts with a B?"

[MrYikes]

14. I apologize, I meant her last name starts with a B.

she was the moderate republican. I tried to google it but I'm not very good with that.

[Arctic Dave]

9. Yep. Saving that gun powder, again.

I have to agree with poster #1

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. The easier explanation: She wasn't formally nominated.

[Cha]

16. Yeah, people just love to jump to conclusions

about President Obama when they don't know jack shit about what's really happening.

Love having PBO in our National Foxhole, The White House.

Thanks babylonsistah~

[Zoeisright]

18. How do you know he didn't???

[world wide wally]

21. Just wondering... would you trade Susan Rice for a ban on assault weapons?... if only...

[politicaljunkie41910]

22. Somehow, I doubt we will get either. Particularly if proposed by this President.

I don't believe that President Obama will lead any charge to ban assault weapons. After all, the loony right has been claiming that Obama is coming for your guns since he took office and this would just play into that loony claim. If we are to get any type of controls on guns it will have to come from the Congress and be a bipartisian effort.