Those on the starboard side of the political aisle have recently been very upset with us about matters of race. They argue that when we are less-than-impressed with the choices of Condoleezza Rice and Alberto Gonzalez we display a patronizing attitude (at best) and are closet racists (at worst).
Now, it's good to have them be open to the concept of race-consciousness (after "The Bell Curve" and "The End of Racism", it's a welcome change of attitude). And one can find an example or two of someone who does expect group-think if you look hard enough.
But perhaps an example in reverse might make clear to the wingers just why we seem a bit cynical about them......
In a bid to win the presidential election, I make the following offer: "As a means of reassuring those Americans who may not vote for me that I - in fact - do care deeply about their issues, I pledge to have all aspects of our society represented in my Administration. In particular: I pledge to have not one, but two senior advisers who are well-respected leaders in the areas of faith, the armed services and business management".
I am able to win the election, and then announce the following appointments:
- Faith - the Reverends William Sloane Coffin and Jesse Jackson
- Armed Services: Scott Ritter, and "Born on the 4th of July's" Ron Kovic
- Business Leaders - Ben and Jerry
Now, who could argue that I have not met my pledge? Yet one would have to be naïve to not realize that I have carefully chosen people who are not exactly representative of the part of society for which I have chosen them (in a bid to seem inclusive of other parts of society).
You don't suppose I exercised some.....opportunism, do you?
