Why is the press de-emphasizing Susan Rice?

[Radical Activist]

Moving UN Ambassador to a cabinet level position is big news, along with the fact that Obama talks about working in alliance with the UN more than Bush did.

Yet, in every newspaper or online TV network article about Obama announcing his foreign policy team I notice that Susan Rice isn't mentioned at all until the second half of the article. Why is that?

She also appears to be the most liberal person announced today. It looks like she's the person on the left that people have been wanting to see in Obama's foreign policy team.

She has a few posts at Huffington that are worth reading if you haven't seen them yet.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-rice

[CTyankee]

1. It's because she isn't very well known, despite her service in Clinton's admin and

being a foreign policy spokesperson for Obama during the campaign.

I think she is enormously talented and smart. She knows her stuff, particularly about Africa. But she doesn't seem to have a big ego and has not been in the spotlight until now. This is a great career boost to her and I am pleased as can be!

[Radical Activist]

2. I only vaguely remember hearing her name

before last week. From what I've read, she sounds impressive and expresses good viewpoints.

I think you're right about the reasons why, but it seems like all the more reason to devote more press time telling people who she is.

[rvablue]

3. I forgot about her expertise in Africa....that gives me hope

that in her new position something can be done and more attention can be shown towards the horrible things going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo.....those people have been so forgotten and they are living out a new nightmare day after day........:cry:

[CTyankee]

7. She and Joe Wilson planned Bill Clinton's first trip to Africa.

I thinkshe was undersecretary for african affairs during the clinton admin.

Wilson lauds her highly in his book...

[TomInTib]

4. I had never heard of her until yesterday.

But I never paid much attention during Clinton's gig.

When the Dems have the White House, my interests are usually elsewhere. I don't know what I will do after Obama is in.

[Renew Deal]

13. I agree

She's not even close to the biggest name in that group.

[DJ13]

5. Because they fear she will have more influence with Obama than Hillary

The MSM are really hoping Hillary gets to pull all the foreign policy strings.

[wyldwolf]

6. lol

[TheDebbieDee]

8. What Wyldwolf said!

[Radical Activist]

11. She might.

If for no other reason than her views and Obama's are probably more in sync. I would guess that's why she signed on early with the Obama campaign even though she worked for Bill. After time as UN Ambassador there will be no problem moving her into a higher profile position like SOS in the second term if Hillary decides to move on.

[sufrommich]

16. lol. nt

[leftynyc]

25. Oh for Heaven's Sake!!

GIVE IT A FUCKING REST ALREADY.

[JimGinPA]

9. The M$M Focus On Hillary, Gates & Jones Is Understandable...

However I've heard her UN appointment and its regaining cabinet level status discussed in more than just a passing mention several times today. Her appointment may not be the sexiest story but...


I became aware of her early in the primary season - she was one of Obama's strongest surrogates during both the primary and the GE. She is intelligent, articulate and tough - she didn't take a nickel's worth of shit whenever she was challenged by anyone. She's also very easy on the eye.

B-)

[political_Dem]

10. She's rather impressive. I hope that she can serve as a counter balance to Sen. Clinton

in foreign policy.

[ellacott]

12. She was a very good spokesperson during the campaign

There should be some youtube videos of her with Scarborough, Laura Ingram or Tucker. She never let them intimidate her. I remember one time Scarbourough was going to gang up on her when he had David Gregory join in on the discussion. She handled both of them and wouldn't let them intimidate her. I wished he had used her more during the campaign but the focus shifted to the economy.

[ErinBerin84]

20. I remember that!

There were many times when Joe tried to bully Susan, but I remember when Gregory and Scarborough double teamed it. Assholes. She always handled it so gracefully.

[ellacott]

22. Yes she did

They came out of it looking very stupid.

[Hekate]

dupe delete

should know better than to double click

[Hekate]

14. It's because they can only hold so many things at a time in their tiny brains. nt

[Radical Activist]

17. Oh look! Britney!

Yeah, the corporate press is like dealing with a small child.

[sufrommich]

15. The press is going to focus on known names in the Obama

administration,until there actually IS an Obama administration ,there is not much more to tell. I'm sure she'll get noticed once she's actually in the UN. UN ambassador was in the cabinet until Bush thought it would be cute to deliver the UN a big "fuck you" every chance he got.

[ClarkUSA]

18. MSNBC's David Schuster just headlined the announcement and said he'd be discussing it later..

I also heard Chris Matthews lauding the change to cabinet post earlier. No doubt it will be discussed on Hardball.

[Radical Activist]

21. That's good.

Of course, by implication I'm also asking why DU is de-emphasizing her as well.

[Freddie Stubbs]

19. Perhaps Obama made a more high-profile appointment today

;)

[BeyondGeography]

23. Too intelligent, plus, she's all serious and knowledgeable and stuff

How dull.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

24. I am so happy it is elevated to cabinet level so she will report directly to President Obama.

I was also happy to hear President-Elect Obama's commitment to strengthening the UN. It was very good news for me today, and something I have been hoping for. I wanted Susan Rice to have a key post because I appreciate where she stands on foreign policy issues. If people study her foreign policy positions, I am sure they will understand and appreciate who we now have as our UN Ambassador. Now we need Samantha Power's expertise helping also with Africa.

[ieoeja]

26. Because only Clinton-Haters would cheer this slight to Hillary.

:sarcasm:

Ambassadors report to the Secretary of State. Elevating the UN Ambassador to cabinet level means the State Department loses their most high profile ambassador.

[Uzybone]

27. Because she is a solid progressive

and that means she doesn't fit the meme that Obama is ignoring the left. Right now "the left" are a useful tool used by the media to attack Obama.

Same thing happened with Melody Barnes. She was more or less ignored in the press coverage.

[Radical Activist]

28. Ding.

I don't think that's the motivation for all of the media but I suspect some of that is going on. We're being played.

[Coexist]

29. I nearly shrieked out loud when I heard that!

[onenote]

30. they're not "de-emphaszing" her, they're emphasizing the Clinton and Gates picks

as one would expect since those are well-known individuals, one a former first lady and nearly successful candidate for the nomination won by the person appointing her and the other an appointee of the president whose failures paved the way for the election of Barack Obama. Pretty compelling in terms of newsworthiness.

And, I'm not sure what "online" articles you've been reading, but the story on CNN.com mentions Rice's nomination well before the "second half" of the article. And while the story doesn't provide any additional information about the Rice nomination, focusing instead on the Clinton nomination, it also doesn't spend any more time on the Napolitano and Holder nominations.

Finally, for the public at large, moving the UN Ambassador position to a cabinet level position is not "big news" -- its totally inside baseball to the average person.

[qwlauren35]

31. Oh MY!!!! UN Ambassador = CABINET MEMBER!!!!!!!!!

That's INCREDIBLE Change.

You're right. It needs more conversation. More trumpeting. More recognition.

WOW! With just that one thing, Obama just got back on my good side.


How long has it been since the US gave that much significance to the United Nations???

I am sooooooooo happy.

[MadMaddie]

32. Believe it or not she is Condi's cousin.

I think they are down playing her expertise and catering to Condi.
She is much smarter than Condi, she will let her actions speak for her.

Just sayin....

[Uzybone]

33. She is not related to Condi in any way.

It's a coincidence that they are both Rice's

[RollWithIt]

34. I hate to say it, but did you see the press conferance? The podium was taller than she was....

But, she'll look very good speaking at a table. It was just an odd moment when she walked up and the stand was in her way.