National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Paul Tagliabue shocked the sports world yesterday by announcing his imminent retirement. Ironically, his announcement sent political bookies scrambling to reposition U.S. Secretary Dr. Condoleezza Rice in their 2008 presidential sweepstakes. Because Rice has been as aggressive in telegraphing her interest in being the next commissioner of the NFL as she has been in denying any interest in being the next president of the United States.
Notwithstanding her Shermanesque denials, however, many professional pundits and centrist Republicans harbored great expectations that, after all the political rhetoric and campaign shenanigans, Rice would be their presidential nominee. And, but for Tagliabue’s retirement, I believe their expectations would have been fulfilled. Admittedly, I’m on record (here and here) shamelessly endorsing the (nevermind-her-denials) candidacy of Condi Rice for president.
Nonetheless, I fear the NFL will make her an offer she can’t refuse. Because when a Washington Post reporter asked her in April 2002 if it was true that her dream job was commissioner of the NFL, she responded:
“That’s absolutely right…though not immediately and not before Paul Tagliabue is ready to step down.”
Therefore, his stepping down in July would seem to satisfy the only condition precedent to making Condi’s dream come true. And, as improbable as it might be for the all-white (except one black) team owners in the NFL to elect her as commissioner, there’s no one in America more qualified for the job or better for the game (even beyond inspiring more interest amongst blacks and women).
NOTE: Given the mess Bush has allowed Cheney and his neo-con cabal to make of his presidency, Condi would be a fool not to take this hand-off from Tagliabue into her dream job.
Run Condi Run! Er, for commissioner that is….
Condoleezza Rice, Paul Tagliabue, NFL commissioner
Anonymous says
You don’t know what you talking about. She aint African American. She is Bush’s house nigger and a traitor to her race. If she becomes commissioner it would be an insult to every African American football player.
Jennifer says
Hi Anthony
I think Condi would make a great commissioner. It’s too bad some people can only see African Americans in one stereotypical way.
Anonymous says
Well it’s good to see the readers are diverse. Despite the above call for (more) tribalism, her appointment to head the NFL would be intriguing indeed. Certainly she is immensely qualified and I think she owes it to herself to take the “dream job” if offered. While I am usually not on the side of the current administration, Dr. Rice has done a commendable job. I would hate to see her reputation take the kind of hit that Colin Powell suffered serving at the pleasure of the President.
Rage…….
ric says
I don’t know about this one ALH
Tagliabue is a hard act to follow and Dr. Rice had got some serious political baggage. I think that might work against her.
Ravic says
Condi would do a great job (what does a commissioner do exactly?).However, the diversity factor is way more important. We need more Mexican golfers and Indian Baskeball players, and Chinese rugby teams to break the stereotypes.
Just to play devil’s advocate, has anyone figured out if Condi is a lesbian? Not that it matters ofcourse.
Anonymous says
i agree. she should jump that sinking ship as fast as she can
Anonymous says
There’s no way any woman will ever be commissioner of the NFL. And you can take that to the bank.
ALH ipinions says
ravicIt’s okay to be curious about Condi’s sexual orientation. Everyone in Washington is. However, no one has dared to out her – if she is a lesbian; which I suspect is more a reflection of her discretion than political power.Not that she needed it, but I was moved to defend her when she first arrived in DC and had the tongues of lily-white political wives wagging with envy: ric / RageI take your point. But as Rage suggests, Condi’s reputation has yet to suffer the devastation that befell Colin Powell’s. Therefore, perhaps it behooves her to get out before it does….