The Nets Weren’t as Excited for Historic Condi Rice, Warned of Her ‘Hard-Right’ Turn

All three networks on Friday praised the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first female African American on the Supreme Court, as “history made” and “an inspiration for everybody in this country.”

All Americans ought to be proud of the breaking of yet another racial barrier, but liberal journalists didn’t get as excited about Condoleeza Rice becoming the first African American Secretary-of-State. 

Rice was officially nominated by George W. Bush on November 16, 2004. On that day’s Today Show, Matt Lauer, the not-yet disgraced host, opened the show with worry, and not history. “Rice in the pressure cooker.The President Bush will nominate Condoleeza Rice, his National Security Advisor to replace Colin Powell in the role of Secretary of State . Do you think her nomination means that the U.S. will make a difficult right turn in its foreign policy?” 

Fill-in World News Tonight anchor Charlie Gibson allowed one sentence to history on November 16, 2004, noting, “She would be the first African-American woman in American history to fill the post.” 

But he spent more time worrying about whether Rice — a former Stanford professor and foreign policy expert — would be too loyal and not an independent thinker: “Rice is one of the President’s most loyal confidantes, a woman said to be so in sync with Mr. Bush, she can finish his sentences. But there are questions about whether the President runs a risk in surrounding himself with so many people who share the same world view.” 

Correspondent Terry Moran was also less-than-excited, noting, “Rice brings some baggage to her new post as well.” 

The 16th of November 2004 CBS Evening News managed to skip Rice’s historic status. John Roberts, a reporter, explains: 

Rice’s nomination is a culmination of her remarkable rise as the daughter of an Alabama cotton farmer. Rice was the Soviet specialist of President Bush’s first administration, Stanford University provost, concert pianist, and competitive skater.

There was very little celebration when Rice actually was sworn into office on January 26, 2005. The January 28 ceremony was the only one. CBS Early ShowIt was worth taking the time to notice it. 

SUSAN McGINNIS – Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, is now officially in the position. Rice informed employees yesterday at a welcome ceremony that her previous State Department position was much less prominent.

CONDOLEEZZA RICI: In 1977 I worked as an intern at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This is a great lesson: Be kind to your interns.

MCGINNIS – Rice said that the State Department should lead the way in implementing what she described as the bold foreign policy agenda of the President.

The fact that Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first African American Supreme Court Justice should be acknowledged as yet-more progress for the United States. But liberal journalists aren’t as excited when conservative minorities — like Condoleezza Rice — break barriers.