Black Leaders Support Rice

Citing what they call the unfair and unreasonable treatment of Dr. Rice, a group of black leaders voiced their support of Dr. Condoleezza Rice and her nomination to become Secretary of State. At a press conference on Tuesday, they contended that Dr. Rice's outstanding credentials and background would have all but assured any other nominee swift and certain confirmation as Secretary of State. It is further contended that Dr. Rice is being unfairly targeted as a close confidant and advisor to the President.

Among the leaders joining in this effort was Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor, U.S. congressman, United Nations ambassador in the Carter administration, and a principle lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King. According to CNSNews.com, Young said:

"We think that Condoleezza Rice not only deserves the support, but the country needs a strong, wise secretary of state with a bipartisan mandate to help establish democracy, not only in Iraq, but around the world."

"We think that this should be a strong, civil process that gives her (Rice) the mandate to lead America's foreign policy in a very, very troubled world."

C. Delores Tucker, chair of the National Congress of Black noted that no African-American woman has ever been nominated to such a high position, adding that Rice's credentials make her better qualified for the job "than possibly 80 percent of the persons that sat in that office" before her.

Tucker questioned the Senate's need to debate Rice's qualifications on Tuesday. "And why we're doing this Monday morning quarterback -- I don't know why," she said.

[. . .]

And I just think now that we need to stop trying to find any kind of Monday morning quarterback problems [on] why [Rice] should not be immediately confirmed.

And we just are here to support her and let her know that we're with her and we don't like what is being done here.

I simply don't get it. Why are Senate Democrats slandering a woman whose accomplishments speak for themselves. And doing so to the extent that some prominent black Democrats are upset about it.