Ringside Seat: Frankie Muniz's Career Is Dead, Susan Rice's Is Alive

Republicans thought they won on Benghazi, but Obama is playing the long game.

by

Fortunes can change fast-just ask Susan Rice. Nine months ago, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was perfectly situated and considered next in line for secretary of State. Then, after attacks in Benghazi left four dead, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Rice found herself persona non grata.

Her crime? Going on the Sunday morning talk show network to run through her understanding of the events as caused by a mob, rather than the work of terrorists. Republicans argued she was complicit in a cover-up to help the president's re-election. Since then, an abundance of evidence has shown that Rice had almost nothing to do with the debate between the CIA and the State Department over how to characterize the attacks. But when Rice publicly rescinded her name from consideration for secretary of state, the GOP claimed victory.

But Rice's prospects are suddenly looking up-way, way up. Obama announced today that he would be appointing her as his National Security Agency advisor. The position doesn't require Senate approval, meaning Rice gets to avoid what would inevitably be a brutal set of hearings. The focus isn't likely to be Libya, but Syria; Rice will likely back up the president's reticence for more intervention.

Everyone supposedly loves a comeback story-but conservatives and Republicans who were responsible for Rice's fall in the first place weren't so pleased with the announcement. WaPo conservative columnist Jenifer Rubin called the appointment "an in-your-face insult to Congress." Utah's Republican Senator Jason Chaffetz tweeted that "Judgement is key to national security matters. That alone should disqualify Susan Rice from her appointment." Meanwhile, among celebrities, Frankie Muniz was up in arms, calling the appointment an #ObamaFail on Twitter. But then again, Muniz is probably waiting for his own comeback story to emerge.

So They Say

"You do believe in the Commandment, 'Thou Shalt Not Kill,' don't you?" Campbell asked.

"Well, certainly," the SBC official said.

"Well, then, surely you are opposed to this death penalty expansion?" Campbell asked.

"Absolutely not," the official said with resolve. "We sent a letter to the White House in support."

"Well then, you are a hypocrite and a jackass," Campbell said.

-A Conversation between the "maverick minister" Will Campbell and a Southern Baptist Church official. Campbell, a famous civil-rights activist, died on Monday. He was 88.

Daily Meme: Offensive Charm Offensives

What We're Writing

  • Part two of the "End of the Solid South" series takes a look at whether Texas can go blue. Abby Rapoport writes that Obama's organizing army is taking its shot.
  • "Israel lobby" is a term used in Washington to describe groups who support policies that they think are good for Israel. Gershom Gorenberg writes that American Jewish groups need to give the term a new meaning by starting to lobby the Israeli government to negotiate peace.

What We're Reading

Poll of the Day

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is liked even more by Democrats than Republicans, according to a new poll released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. His own party gives him a 40 percent approval rating, while 41 percent of independents and 43 percent of Democrats view Christie in a favorable light. In contrast to those consistent numbers, the poll also found that Hillary Clinton has an 85 percent approval rating among Democrats, but just 15 percent approval among Republicans.

TAP depends on your support

We’ve said it before: The greatest threat to democracy from the media isn’t disinformation, it’s the paywall. When you support The American Prospect, you’re supporting fellow readers who aren’t able to give, and countering the class system for information. Please, become a member, or make a one-time donation, today. Thank you!