LOS ANGELES, July 26, 2012 — Summer is usually referred to as the “silly season” in politics, but the tragic events in Colorado were a jolt of reality. While Colorado will never be the same, the rest of the nation and a lazy media are desperate to get back to “normal.” That means the return of political nonsense and the vice presidential guessing game.
While the best vice-presidential choice for Mitt Romney has not changed, speculation a couple of weeks ago focused on Dr. Condoleeza Rice.
Dr. Rice is a very impressive woman who can communicate on so many varied topics. Her passion for Russian politics is matched by her obsession with the National Football League. She is also a trained classical pianist. As a black woman who succeeded in America by her outstanding merits, there is much to admire. Her speech at the 1992 GOP Convention should be watched by all. She was a shining star in an otherwise disastrous convention.
Dr. Rice has her upsides, but in the end she is simply not the right choice for the job. She is qualified, but too many people would rebel. She would face criticism from the right due to her pro-choice views, but the bigger problem comes from the left. A black female Republican who is erudite and attractive would be the death knell of liberalism. The left would go after her with a hatred combining the left’s loathing of Sarah Palin and Clarence Thomas.
The only saving grace would be that because Dr. Rice is pro-choice, some on the left will fight with less passion.
The real problem is that Dr. Rice is disqualified for the same reason that Jeb Bush is disqualified. She may not be related to President George W. Bush, but she is part of his “family.”
While George W. Bush deserves to be minted into coins and placed on Mount Rushmore, the liberals have successfully demonized his presidency in the short run. History will vindicate him, but it will take time.
So for those who are obsessed with putting a woman on the ticket, there are better choices out there. Former Hawaii Governor and 2012 Senate candidate Linda Lingle is a great choice. She is also pro-choice, which could hurt.
Michele Bachmann is a lightning rod, and this is not an election where a lightning rod helps the ticket. 2008 required such a choice.
Yet there is one name out there that for some reason does not get mentioned.
What about K.T. McFarland for Vice President?
This may seem like a shot from nowhere, but it should not be.
Kathleen Troia McFarland is eminently qualified to take over if necessary. The former Reagan administration official honed her chops at the Pentagon, and her knowledge of foreign policy issues runs deep. She is one of the brightest foreign policy analysts in the country. Her current role as a Fox News expert analyst is must-see political television for those who care about foreign policy.
The Neocons could support her because she is certainly comfortable using military force when necessary. The Paleocons could support her because she is opposed to nation-building. She fully supported the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but has not been shy about pointing out what could have been done better. This is not armchair quarterbacking because she speaks from experience, and is usually right.
She does have a couple of downsides. She has never held elected office, with her only run as a 2006 New York Senate candidate resulting in a primary defeat. Outside of foreign policy, her stands on issues are a mystery. Her economic beliefs and stands on social issues would have to be fleshed out.
Yet with Mitt Romney handling the economics, McFarland could focus solely on foreign policy. In that arena, she is the very best of the best.
She would excel in a debate against Joe Biden, given that he was the one who wanted to partition Iraq. Her criticisms of the Obama foreign policy would come with gravitas based on her quarter of a century of real experience. She would not need platitudes, and is certainly tough enough to deal with everything from Iran and Syria to Russia and China. She would not throw Israel to the wolves.
Mentioning her may contribute to the silly season in politics, but she is a serious woman who deserves serious consideration. She very well could make a fine Vice President.
Brooklyn born, Long Island raised, and now living in Los Angeles, Eric Golub is a politically conservative columnist, blogger, author, public speaker, satirist and comedian.
Eric is the author of the book trilogy “Ideological Bigotry, “Ideological Violence,” and “Ideological Idiocy.” Eric is 100% alcohol, tobacco, drug, and liberalism free. After years of dating liberals, he has finally seen the light and now only dates Republican Jewish women. His family is pleased over this. Republican, Jewish women, you may contact Eric above.
Follow Eric on Twitter @TYGRRRREXPRESS
Eric Golub is an independent writer for the Communities. Read more from Eric at his TYGRRRR EXPRESS blog.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
