A theory first tossed into the political theory gravity well on the Rachel Maddow show (as far as we know): the real reason republicans are pounding away on Susan Rice has nothing to do with Benghazi, but because they want John Kerry to be Secretary of State… the result of which is that Kerry’s Massachusetts Senate seat becomes available… which in turn gives the Republican Party a chance to gain a seat back in the Senate (Scott Brown in a truck, anyone?) … so as always… the primal political motivation: to get more power.
While we have come to begrudgingly accept that Washington, DC politics is a monumental failure of the human spirit and true American idealism – this theory might be a bit beyond the normal-level-of-cynicism threshold. Insofar as the Kerry Senate Seat is the initial and fundamental motivation of the Republican Party in its ridicule of the country’s UN ambassador, Susan Rice…. that gives tantrum-throwing republicans too much credit for their actions.
Benghazi-ranting republicans likely acknowledge the open Senate seat implications NOW… but doubtful it was their initial motivation. Republicans, much like Senator McCain, don’t think before they attack. They attack first and after the dust settles they analyze the press and poll response to see in which direction to take the issue next. (A grossly irresponsible approach to governing… but it is what it is: politicians are little more than toddlers with money, power, and smart bombs.)
Is it possible republicans are this snide, yes. Is it probable...? Unlikely – there was too much emotion in the initial rants to justify chess-like thought was involved. We say unlikely, mainly because of the ranting nature of the protests that are being led by a grumpy and vindictive John McCain.
It is a surprise that Senator Susan Collins has also given her voice to the “Susan Rice Question,” however. As is the newly evolved talking point for the republicans, “John Kerry would be an excellent choice” for Secretary of State (of course, Susan Rice being a “bad” choice for no other reason than republicans decided to make Sunday shows the issue of the day rather than the actual activities that caused the problems in Benghazi).
The sad part is that what the Republican Party is doing is grossly unfair to BOTH Susan Rice and John Kerry (and even President Obama, because if he doesn’t nominate Susan Rice now he will be perceived as being weak in that he “didn’t stand up to the republicans”). Both Kerry and Rice are well-qualified, both are very good public servants, both are incredibly smart and loyal to this country – and because of how the republicans are attacking Susan Rice like rabid dogs, lead by the three-year-old tantrum John McCain, one of them will be seen as losing this politically-fabricated jockeying for position as Secretary of State.
But does the slight political conspiracy theory have any validity? Is the primary motivation to bash on Susan Rice so that republicans might win another seat in the Senate (Scott Brown V2)?
If president Obama decides to pick this fight and send Susan Rice to be confirmed… John Kerry could be Secretary of Defense… but that still frees his Senate seat – which, as a liberal-leaning group of ranters, POLITUSIC does not want to see happen. (Scott Brown must not have more “meetings with kings and queens” – the man is a good campaigner, but he’s a putz).
So does that mean this entire issue is actually up to John Kerry? Guarantee that seat stays blue in the Senate, or risk it turning red by taking a position in the cabinet. Is John a team player? If he moves to the cabinet, can the democrats keep the seat in a run-off election? (Keeping that seat blue is more likely today than it was when Scott Brown took Kennedy’s seat, admittedly… but one never knows when it’s in the hands of votes).
Many questions. Many, many questions. One thing we do know: when the public has questions of our politicians, we’ll never get the real answers.
What we do know, however, is that sales of Tums have increased three-fold to help deal with the acid reflux every time John McCain goes on TV. (…give that brat a pacifier and a forced retirement…)
