Exit Strategy
condi's lets her guard -- and her hair -- down
2008-12-03
By Terry Glover

For Bush admin Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the last two months have been like an episode of "My Super Sweet 16":

The Thanksgiving holiday found her tickling the ivories for the Queen at the Royal Palace. And, in early November, New York magazine caught up with Condi at the Glamour Women of the Year event where she sported an up-do, showed off her biceps, and was quoted as being excited about meeting Tyra Banks.

Is this the same starched, ram-rod Right woman who, for the last eight years has been the very epitome of Eddie Murphy’s “banana in the tailpipe” schtick about Black people who excel at exhibiting assimilationist tendencies? Condi has been the most loyal of Republican foot soldiers, defending her boss’ wayward logic in the face of the most blistering criticism. She has shown unwavering discipline both in the execution of her duties as Secretary of State, and in her refusal to share with the American public any bit of her personal life. Now comes the Condi who’s making the rounds of receptions, galas and morning-after photo galleries. Where will she show up next, Facebook?

To whom goes the credit for this turnabout? Barack Obama. For it was late May when it looked like Hillary might make good on her threat to stick it out until the convention. Things were pretty heated, and the pundits were on auto repeat asking why Obama couldn’t close the deal with a certain segment of white voters. Everybody was on a racial short fuse. At one point, Condi was asked about Obama’s “historic run.”

“I think it’s great,” she said. “And I think it’s great for our country…It’s great that this last barrier, perhaps, has also come down.” 

Aha! The perimeter had been breeched! She did identify! Terrorist fist bump if you’re proud of your country.

And then it was back to being strictly professional until this recent shuffling of her social calendar. So, ultimately, one wonders, what does Condi have up her sleeve?

Pre-Palin, there was speculation that McCain might offer her the VP slot on his ticket. When Wolf Blitzer inquired about the possibility, she stated in no uncertain terms, “I have told anyone who will listen I have no interest…I’ve done my part. I have [at the time] six months to sprint to the finish line and then I have other things I want to do.”

There are those who speculate that Condi’s embrace of all things cultural indicates a need for the prodigal daughter to return home and find a welcoming committee within the Black community. I doubt that Rice, who was a playmate of Birmingham church bombing victim Denise McNair, and whose family were pillars of that community, would need to make amends there. Chances are she’s the hometown heroine, a shining example held up to youngsters of what can be accomplished however humble your beginnings.

More likely, Rice's behavior is akin to taking a deep breath at the end of a grueling marathon, elated to have the finish line within her sights. With the Palestinian-Israeli peace accord fizzled, Rice appeared poised to forego any further Bush assignments in favor of paling around with Tyra. She's had to put that on hold for one last tour of duty in India. But, Rice has cited, in all earnestness, her desire to head back to California, write a "serious" book on American foreign policy and tackle the issue of education.

In the meantime she’ll work the State rolodex one last time, rock the Rachmaninoff for her Royal Highness and whatever else she can pull off on company time. Hey, Condi, don’t forget -- there’s still the NFL.

Terry Glover is Senior Editor for EbonyJet.com. She writes about trends and culture (popular and otherwise).