Opinion

An unprecedented president

Rice, Clinton could go head-to-head in '08 election

By Rick Redmond

Posted on Dec. 02, 2004, at 12:00 a.m.

The stench of the 2004 election season has wafted away with the end of the cool November breeze, but it’s not too soon to ponder the “what ifs” of the 2008 election. My prediction, as dire a situation as it may be, forsees a race like no other in American history. Hillary Clinton will secure the Democratic nomination and Condoleeza Rice will go head-to-head with her as the Republican candidate.

It’s a long shot, I know, but not impossible. Whispers within the beltway hint around at both women making a bid for their party’s nomination, and both women have done things no other woman has.

Clinton became the first first lady to ever run for and win the office of United States Senator. Rice was the first woman and only the second African American to hold the office of National Security Advisor. Both women are well-educated, confident and lead with tenacity and charm. But who would win the votes and is capable of holding the top office in the land? Let’s compare:

*Upbringing

Clinton: Daughter of well-to-do textile company owner in Park Ridge, Ill. Advantaged childhood with good education.

Rice: Great-granddaughter of slaves. Attended schools in segregated Birmingham, Ala. Only child of teachers.

Edge: Rice. Enduring and overcoming tough times in childhood clearly makes a statement about one’s character and ability to lead, despite setbacks.

*Education

Clinton: Wellesley undergrad, Yale Law School.

Rice: University of Denver undergrad, master’s from Notre Dame, Ph.D. from University of Denver.

Edge: Rice. Entered the University of Denver at age 15 and graduated cum laude at age 19. Clinton may have the ivy league education, but Rice was clearly ahead of the game.

*Family

Clinton: Married, one daughter

Rice: Single but was reportedly once engaged to a professional football player, no children.

Edge: Clinton. Unmarried presidential nominees have never fared well in elections. Although Clinton is married to Slick Willy, being a former first lady is still an advantage.

*Career History

Clinton: Lawyer, impeachment inquiry staff of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, University of Arkansas Law School, first lady, chair of the Task Force on National Health Care Reform, author, U.S. senator from New York.

Rice: professor of Political Science, Stanford University, senior director of Soviet and East European Affairs for the National Security Council, special assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, provost of Stanford University, author, National Security Advisor, Secretary of State – nominated.

Edge: Rice. Administration at a top academic institution and high-ranking cabinet positions win hands down.

*Board Service

Clinton: Children’s Defense Fund, Legal Services Corporation, Arkansas Educational Standards Committee, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Family – co-founder, Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Rice: Federal Advisory Committee on Gender-Integrated Training in the Military, Chevron, Charles Schwab, Hewlett Foundation, University of Notre Dame, J.P. Morgan International Advisory Council, San Francisco Symphony, Center for a New Generation – founding member – Transamerica, Hewlett Packard, Carnegie Corporation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Rand, National Council for Soviet and East European Studies, San Francisco Public Broadcasting

Edge: Another tough call, but Clinton’s service to humanitarian organizations, rather than Rice’s affiliation with giant corporations, give her an easy advantage with voters.

*Awards

Clinton: Top 100 lawyers in America list – twice – Grammy Award – Best Spoken Word Album, best-selling author

Rice: Numerous academic awards including the 1984 Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching

Edge: Rice. Clinton is obviously a gifted lawyer and author with a deep commitment to humanitarian efforts, but Rice’s background as an education effort propel her to the advantage in this category.

Not an easy pick, I must say. Both women seem capable and have as much, if not more experience than previous presidents. Clinton may have had the run of the White House behind the scenes for eight years. But will a few years as senator keep her on par with Rice, who has arguably become the most visible national security advisor this country has ever known?

Most importantly, who will the public deem worthy of leading them? Blacks vote overwhelmingly Democratic but will they vote for a Republican Rice? And which candidate will secure the women voters? A new trend of vying for the male votes would begin. How strange. But as far as a prediction, my money is on Rice. She’d secure the minority, the Republican and a good portion of the female vote. What more do you need?

I’m not a Republican, but I think she could pull it off. And if the thought of either of these candidates holding the top office frightens you enough to contemplate immigrating to Canada, don’t worry, there’s always Nader.

Rick Redmond is senior broadcast journalism major.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 2nd, 2004, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.