Quote Unquote: Blocking Secretary of State Rice

John McCain on congressional promises to block Rice from being appointed Secretary of State…

.

"I wonder why we are starting this new Congress with a protracted debate about a foregone conclusion. I can only conclude that we are doing this for no other reason than because of lingering bitterness over the outcome of the election."

.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. That was McCain eight years ago discussing Democratic efforts to block Condoleezza Rice. Not McCain's own efforts to block Susan Rice earlier today.

Tags: Condoleezza Rice, John McCain, Quote Unquote, State Department, Susan Rice

Tweet Untweet: Condi Gets Into Augusta National

Augusta finally has African-American members and women members. Next up: a Democrat?

— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) August 20, 2012

Tags: Condoleezza Rice, Democrats, Golf, Republicans, Sports, Tweet Untweet, Twitter

Tweet Untweet: Playing "What If?"

What if Obama dropped Biden for Clinton, then dropped her for Petraeus, then a brokered GOP convention nominated Jeb and he made Condi VP?

— Alex Burns (@aburnspolitico) August 7, 2012

Tags: Barack Obama, Condoleezza Rice, David Petraeus, Jeb Bush, Joe Biden, Republican National Convention, Tweet Untweet, Twitter

From the Pork Barrel: Apologies Must Be Given!

* Mitt Romney demands that Barack Obama apologize for pointing out things for which Mitt Romney is demanding an apology. Or something equally sensible.

* Ezra Klein comes up with 14 reasons why this is the worst Congress ever. Just 14? I can think of something more in the neighborhood of 535.

* Do Condoleezza Rice's reasoned non-knee jerk opinions about abortion disqualify her as a make-believe Vice Presidential pick?

* Download the Indecision Election Companion, our free app for your iPhone and iPad, and climb up into the the Peanut Gallery — our liveblog/instant reaction arena — to watch and respond as Charlie Rose talks with Barack and Michelle Obama on CBS Sunday Morning this Sunday morning at 9am/8c.

Tags: Abortion, Bain Capital, Barack Obama, CBS, Charlie Rose, Condoleezza Rice, Michelle Obama, Mitt Romney, Pork Barrel, Veepstakes

Condoleezza Rice vs. Actual Shiny Trial Balloon

With Mitt Romney's relationship with Bain Capital at the center of a controversy in which it appears very important to determine whether Romney was a chronic tax-advoider who made millions investing in firms that outsourced jobs until 1999 or if Romney was a chronic tax-advoider who made millions investing in firms that outsourced jobs until 2002, it was time for someone to create a distraction.

Along came The Drudge Report to claim that there's a new frontrunner to be Mitt Romney's running mate: Condoleezza Rice.

But is the Condi rumor really the best the Romney camp can do to distract the media from lesser topics (I mean, c'mon, who among us hasn't forgotten when we were CEOs of major firms?)? Neither are going to become vice president, but you can decide whether Rice or an actual shiny balloon would have made a more worthwhile distraction.

Mitt Romney	Condi Rice	Shiny Balloon
* Only supports the abortion of his previous opinions on abortion.	* Pro-choice.	* On abortion and other issues, willing to go wherever the wind takes it.
* Unclear where he spent the years 1999-2002. Doesn't like to talk about it.	* Spent 2001-2002 helping to plan the Iraq War. Doesn't like to talk about it.	* Spent 1999-2002 doing Bar Mitzvahs. Doesn't like to talk about it.
* His money has extensive foreign policy experience.	* Former National Security Adviser and Secretary of State	* Has traveled wherever the wind has taken it.
* Reminds people of the guy who fired them.	* Reminds people of the Bush Administration.	* Reminds people of birthday parties!
* Can distract people with the squareness of his children's jaws.	* Can distract people with classical piano technique.	* Distracts people because it's shiny.

Photo by Pool/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Tags: Condoleezza Rice, Drudge Report, Matt Drudge, Mitt Romney, Veepstakes