If it were possible to reach through a car radio to grab a vain, sanctimonious, grandstanding politician in mid-sentence, California senator Barbara Boxer would NOT have gotten away unscathed Tuesday during her disgraceful hectoring of Condoleeza Rice during a supposedly serious confirmation hearing.
Boxer's official website purports to provide the text of her "opening statement," but a comparison against what I heard and the hearing transcript via The New York Times reveals it to be expurgated. Boxer's actual "statement" was a full 2,100 words (to start) and included this nasty dig (not on her own site):
Now, the war was sold to the American people, as chief of staff to President Bush Andy Card said, like a new product. Those are his words. Remember, he said, You don't roll out a new product in the summer.Now, you rolled out the idea and then you had to convince the people as you made your case with the president. And I personally believe -- this is my personal view -- that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell this war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth.
Rice's reply was firm, indeed steely:
Senator, I am more than aware of the stakes that we face in Iraq, and I was more than aware of the stakes of going to war in Iraq. I mourn the dead and honor their service. Because we have asked American men and women in uniform to do the hardest thing, which is to go and defend freedom and to give others an opportunity to build a free society which will make us safer.Senator, I have to say that I have never, ever lost respect for the truth in the service of anything. It is not my nature. It is not my character. And I would hope that we can have this conversation and discuss what happened before and what went on before and what I said, without impugning my credibility or my integrity.
Impressed with herself, Boxer kept at it and Rice stated again:
Senator, we can have this discussion in any way that you would like. But I really hope that you will reframe from impugning my integrity.
Radio windbag Michael Savage, usually no favorite of mine at all, got it right today when he said Boxer would be barely qualified to manage a brassiere store if she had to earn a living. True enough.
Luckily for our nation, Condi Rice is made of stern stuff, in addition to being brainy and beautiful. She'll be Secretary of State very soon.
UPDATE: The committee voted 16-2 today to send Condi Rice's nomination to the full Senate for certain approval. Boxer and John Kerry were the "no" votes in committee. Wizbang notes that Boxer "set a new high in lows."