Condoleezza Rice Confirmed

Congratulations to Dr. Condoleezza Rice on her confirmation as our new Secretary of State.  Though the 13 "no" votes was one of the largest oppositions to any Secretary of State nomination, her final approval from 85 senators was overwhelmingly positive.  In the end, law makers on both sides of the aisle put her qualifications over party politics.

Dr. Rice will have to confront many issues at the beginning of her tenure: the election in Iraq, phasing out coalition involvement, rebuilding strained U.S. relations abroad.  I share the president's confidence that she is more than up to the task.  The issue the press may force her to address first, however, is the fact that she is the first  African American woman to hold the position.  In my opinion...who cares?  She's a great choice for the job...with a resume most people could only dream of.  End of discussion as far as I'm concerned.  But the media will describe her from that point of view for a while, just as they did for Colin Powell at the beginning.  Here's a sampling.

Associated Press: 5th Paragraph (used also by CNN, NY Post, MSNBC, ABC News, et al)

Fox News: 3rd Paragraph

Washington Times: 2nd Paragraph

BBC World News: 7th Paragraph
Interestingly enough, this appears under the interim heading "Ability and Experience"

Yes, it is meaningful and noteworthy because it is a social and cultural milestone.  And I'm sure that to some extent, private to her, she is rightfully proud of it.  But, I am willing to bet that Dr. Rice would much rather be remembered for doing a great job rather than for just the fact that she got the job.  I know it has been, and will continue to be, the same for other first time minority nominees to high profile positions.  It's just a shame, that's all.

Why can't the press say "She's a highly qualified person" without all the racial, religious or gender based descriptions.  It's as though the media feels minorities aren't qualified to be judged on the same scale as everyone else.  We spend way too much time in this country focusing on how we are different, and not enough time focusing on how we are the same.  Perhaps the words of USMC Aviator and Lieutenant General Frank Peterson best express my feelings:

"Achieving the first black/only black is a status, but is also
a double-edged sword. Because it says if this is still important,
we still have a long way to go."