Condoleeza Rice: Dressed to Thrill?

The outfit Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wore to view American troops at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield last Wednesday had Washington all atwitter.  Nothing about was inappropriate, mind you. Yet the leering whispers smacked of a live reading of Penthouse Forum.

Frankly, the subliminal association of this sophisticated black woman with terms like “Political Dominatrix”, “Diva of sexual diplomacy” and “Heel bitch!” only perpetuates not so latent prejudices. (A fact made even more regrettable given that the Washington Post fashion editor who stimulated this blather is herself a black woman.)

Too serious, you think? Well, here’s a little “inside the beltway” scoop to help you decide:

Washington whisperers deemed Condi’s politics and personal life of dubious orientation many years ago – curiously imputing pejoratives to her professional accomplishments and personal life. (She is, amongst other things, a classically trained pianist, ice skater, Russian scholar, arms expert, football fanatic and single.) But in a city that thrives on labels and stereotypes, it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out how she’s been categorized.

Therefore, when one hears talk about her domineering persona, it’s not intended to be flattering or in jest. Perhaps all you need to know is that die-hard Democratic women (like Sen. Barbara Boxer) are her most impudent critics.

Nevertheless, there can be no denying that Condi is often dressed to thrill. Indeed, she projects the ultimate fusion of substance and style that should make all women (and men) exceedingly proud!

You go girl…

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