Condi for Secretary of State

I have a solution to this Secretary of State nomination problem: I think President Barack Obama should call Condoleezza Rice and have the following conversation:

POTUS: Condi, I would like to thank you for your service to your country.

CR: Thank you Mr. President. [I like to fantasize about people actually still having respect for the office of the President. Indulge me.]

POTUS: Condi, your country calls again. You know that Secretary of State Clinton plans on leaving this post at the start of my next administration, and we're looking for a good candidate. Many names are floated around, but I believe, like that great leader of your party, Abraham Lincoln, in a team of rivals. I think you would be perfectly suited for the position as you've done it before. However, ultimately the decisions made for Secretary of State end with me, so you must be willing to follow my lead.

CR: Mr. President, I really appreciate your considering me, but I'm not sure that would be workable at this point . . .

POTUS: Look, I don't think there is as much daylight between you and me as you think. For instance, I think the drone strikes in Afghanistan and over the Middle East are bloody brilliant and have not only continued them, but stepped them up. You would have LOVED to be part of an administration that killed Osama Bin Laden. Guantanamo Bay is still open and it's MY administration that has sold and delivered more arms to Israel than ever before. Further, we opposed the creation of observer status for the Palestinian people in the U.N. I think we can work things out. Besides, disagreement is good for creating policy and your perspective could truly enhance what I'm trying to accomplish.

CR: You have a point . . .

POTUS: And there would be no bruising confirmation fight. Although I think the optics of going after Susan Rice, an Oxford educated PhD, who, like yourself, is a Black woman would ultimately force the Senate to fold, they certainly can't go after you for misleading the American public for claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction . . .

CR: [Pointedly] Mr. President . . .

POTUS: I'm just being honest. Look, this would be good for you, good for your party who desperately needs brilliant people at its forefront, and good for our country as we bring all of the best ideas together for a foreign policy that most benefits our interests at home and abroad. What do you say?

My interjection: Besides, the old White men in the Senate could save face for opposing everyone with a Black face in the administration and their war on women which has now been directed at Dr. Rice (Susan). And it would leave Kerry's Massachusetts seat intact. Are they really going to throw Dr. Condoleezza Rice under the bus for Kerry's seat? How do those optics look?!

Just sayin'.

It's a little early for Christmas 2009 greetings, but

I am DYING to know what the Obama holiday card will say. Granted, much could happen in this year, but let me give it a try:

Barack, Malia, Sasha and I wish you all Happy Holidays, be it Winter Solstice, Ramadan, Channukah, Christmas, and the New Year. We've certainly had a busy year. As you may have heard, we moved from Chicago to Washington, D.C. We are enjoying our new digs. I have to say it's much easier to handle with the staff.

There was a little party for the start of Barack's new job. The girls hosted Miley Sirus and the Jonas Brothers for themselves and a few others of their age. A few people came to witness his taking of the oath. OK, possibly a couple of million. Clearly, this wasn't going to be an indoor ceremony and it was frigid out, but there's nothing like starting a new job with a few good friends! In the event that we even briefly missed Chicago, it is clear that we brought the weather with us.

Joe and Jill have been invaluable to helping our transition here, even after Jill blabbed to Oprah about Joe's choice for VP or Secretary of State in the new administration. Watch out when the Biden's get excited!

Barack is exhausted and hoping for a couple of days off around Christmas. I have to say that it's really challenging for him to work from home because the job is always there. I have enjoyed working on behalf of military families and seeing to the girls' transition to their new school and city. I have to say that they've handled this in stride. Of course the new dog is a big hit with them. I even think that they understand the level of responsibility they have to take for it. I also must confess that it's about time Barack has brought in an income higher than mine!

We wish you the best for the new year!

With much love,

The Obama family