The GOP wanted Rice out of the way

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. Sorry, Patrice...

Would you mind fleshing this idea out a little more for me? This is the first time I have seen an explanation like yours.

You're saying that the GOP tried to dare the President to appoint Ms. Rice, because they did not want Kerry to be chosen? This really makes a lot of sense, given their vehement reaction to a possible nomination to Ambassador Rice. I had also thought that the President had never formally discussed a nomination of Ms. Rice; thanks for confirming that for me.

It also seemed like the GOP were, in a way, "protesting too much" in regards to a nomination of Rice. I had also considered that their obstruction, for obstructions' sake, would be made much easier with a Rice nomination, as opposed to Sen. Kerry. I would think that his path to confirmation would be far smoother than a Rice nomination; hence, they could have spent months grilling Rice, and spouting talking points against her nomination, and also the President, every day on the talk shows. With a Kerry nomination, not so much.

So, once again, the President eats the Republican's lunch. This time, by his refusal to fall into some kind of Wile E. Coyote trap (Acme) that they thought they could use to catch him. Smooth move, Mr. President!