Rice Responds to Obama's Race Speech
By Glenn Kessler
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in an interview with the The Washington Times that was released today, said she watched Sen. Barack Obama give his speech on racism in America last week, adding, "I think it was important that he gave it for a whole host of reasons."
Rice said she didn't want to get into politics, but referencing the upcoming 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., she added an interesting insight into her feelings on race in America.
"There is a paradox for this country and a contradiction of this country and we still haven't resolved it," Rice said. "But what I would like understood as a black American is that black Americans loved and had faith in this country even when this country didn't love and have faith in them, and that's our legacy."
She noted that "Black Americans aren't immigrants. We may call ourselves African Americans, but we're not immigrants." So she said the national conversation on race has to focus on the fact that blacks and whites "founded this country together and I think we've always wanted the same thing."
Rice added: "My grandmother and my great-grandmother, and my father, who endured terrible humiliations growing up -- and my father in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and my mother's family in Birmingham, Alabama-- still loved this country....But if anybody believes that black Americans love this country any less than white Americans do, they ought to go and talk to people who live under very tough circumstances, sometimes doing menial labor and doing tough jobs, and really all they want is the American dream. All they're focused on is is their kid going to be well educated enough to go to college and have a better life than they had."
When it came to raw politics -- whether she was interested in being Sen. John McCain's running mate -- Rice was firm: "Not interested. I've been at this, as you've kindly said, a long time. It's time for new blood."
Posted at 11:07 AM ET on Mar 28, 2008
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Well said by Secretary Rice.
Posted by: davidmwe | March 28, 2008 11:19 AM
I have to say, that is the first time I have been impressed with her. Good for her.
Obama/Biden 2008!
Posted by: dab23 | March 28, 2008 11:37 AM
I have a lot of respect for her and the job she has done for the country. It is a shame that she, as well as some other successful other candidates, don't want to run for office. (I don't mention them by race, as they are as much Americans as I am). I don't call myself a Scottish American (though I am proud of my heritage), but with the equality we have in this country, there is no fair reason not to have other races represented by their qualifications and records to hold high office. Barak is an ideal liberal candidate, but I lean toward conservative views so McCain will be my candidate. If he had a minister preaching hate I would have dropped him in a bucket too. Good luck to both of them (Idealism vs. Conservatism, that is what this election should be focusing on; but I am a bit idealistic in our society anyway).
Posted by: TMacPen | March 28, 2008 11:48 AM
Much applause for Sec. Rice on this one. I think black people on both sides of the aisle should continue to bring up these points. Specifically her point that blacks and whites DID build this country together. Blacks have had less reason to love America than anyone and yet have stayed even after slavery and Jim Crow, fought in wars, run for elected office, started businesses here, and raised generations of families here. Black patriotism should not be questioned so glibly as it has been over the past 2 weeks and I applaud Sec. Rice for making that point.
McCain, think about her... she's sounding a lot better than she used to...
Posted by: weyimi | March 28, 2008 12:12 PM
TMacPen...how did Obama's former pastor preach hate? You starting to sound like those conservative TV and radio show hosts who play snipets of Rev. Wright's sermons instead of the entire sermon. Rev. Wright is a former US Marine. Just because you speak out on what you see as injustices to people of color, you are able anti-American or anti-white. I think what bothers many White Americans (i.e. Americans of European descent) is that Rev. Wright is too pro-black or too pro-African, and that belief somehow translates into being anti-white.
Posted by: ajtiger92 | March 28, 2008 12:17 PM
Which one is doing the head burying?...... when it comes to Barak and Clinton? over the past few weeks both have revealed a remarkable insight into their political life.
It is abundantly clear that neither deserve any widespread recongnition.
Posted by: jamesatkinson1 | March 28, 2008 12:21 PM
Ouch! Talk about "The pot calling the kettle (your choice)!"
Posted by: filoporquequilo | March 28, 2008 12:36 PM
I never thought that I would agree with Dr. Rice. However, I must say that I agree with her observations wholeheartedly. To question the patriotism of Black folks in America is to be ignorant of history. To question the patriotism of anyone who dares to look at America with a critical eye is to be ignorant of history... our history as Americans.
Posted by: cooterbooter1970 | March 28, 2008 01:08 PM
I disagree with virtually everything she's done, and I think she is a stooge for Cheney, but bravo Condi. Thank you from all of us -- mostly dems, of course -- who care about this issue.
Posted by: queenskid | March 28, 2008 01:11 PM
Thank you ,Condoleeza Rice , for the sincerely honest answer from you.I have always had doubts about some of your answers for the Bush administration,on whether it was apologist for the Bush line and how honest and forthcoming they really were, but I certainly will give anything you say the benefit of the doubt from here on in.
Posted by: majorteddy | March 28, 2008 01:26 PM
I am a strong Democrat, but I have been a fan of Condi from the first time I became aware of her in the political arena.
I hope, after she takes a break from her current assignment, that she becomes more interested in seeking political office. If it on a national basis, I would sure like to support her.
Bud Curtis
Miami, OK
Posted by: bcurtis | March 28, 2008 01:32 PM
very well said by Ms. Rice... i have long said that she would be a remarkable candidate for Prez or VP.... the Mccain ticket would be greatly strengthened by choosing her as VP.... whether that happens who can say.... but she should keep the door open.... service for the common good has always been her nature....
Posted by: 1988joey | March 28, 2008 01:36 PM
very well said by Ms. Rice... i have long said that she would be a remarkable candidate for Prez or VP.... the Mccain ticket would be greatly strengthened by choosing her as VP.... whether that happens who can say.... but she should keep the door open.... service for the common good has always been her nature....
Posted by: 1988joey | March 28, 2008 01:36 PM
Dab23...
>> I have to say, that is the
>> first time I have been impressed
>> with her. Good for her.
Agreed!!!
Posted by: jencm | March 28, 2008 01:49 PM
Secretary Rice is a classy lady. Hooray for classiness.
Posted by: squintz | March 28, 2008 02:13 PM
How does the Republican Secretary of State come out with a much classier response than Senator Hillary Clinton? Must be the content of character (or the lack thereof in the latter case).
Posted by: meldupree | March 28, 2008 02:32 PM
How refreshing to hear public figures speaking about something without seeming to pay constant attention to the political connotations or ramifications of what they're saying. It's wonderful to see that Obama, Huckabee, and now Rice are leading a constructive -- and intellectually honest -- dialogue about race.
Posted by: davestickler | March 28, 2008 02:41 PM
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