The Republican Party has taken a familiar stance in American history with their efforts to block the possible nomination of United Nations Ambassador, Susan Rice, to replace Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State. This symbolic action mirrors the Supreme Court’s 1956 order of school desegregation, “With All Deliberate Speed,” and is being led by House Republicans, who are soon to be replaced. Rice has come under fire for her briefing of the Benghazi attack on the U.S. Embassy in Libya, which killed four Americans. Despite this, she has been a star of the Obama Administration and is on the President’s “short list” for Secretary of State.
The House Republicans’ attempt to block Rice’s nomination before it is even made has raised questions. Is this a Tea Party flex alert? A call to arms for their beleaguered brothers after such a resounding defeat? Or just the Southern Manifesto, revisited? The House has no authority to block Rice’s confirmation and the 97 signatures on the letter from Congressman Jeff Duncan is less than 25% of House members. It appears to be an attempt to signal to the Senate and Senator John McCain that they support the criticism of Susan Rice, in order to make the minority in the Senate feel less alone. As such, the filibuster is likely to be seen as more stonewalling by a few members of the Senate.
In 1955, 101 members of Congress, 99 of whom were Dixiecrats and two Republicans, signed the Southern Manifesto, a document that sought to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. This document was an attempt to revive the outdated Civil War-era theory of interposition and nullification, which held that state law was supreme in its own sphere of authority and that federal law could not be overturned by the states. Despite their efforts, the Supreme Court’s ruling was not overturned and the Massive Resistance Movement was born.
Fast-forward to the present day, and President Obama is facing a similar challenge with the nomination of Susan Rice. Republicans from across the country are attempting to block the appointment on irrational grounds, a tactic that has been seen before. However, if nominated, Rice is qualified and should receive fair consideration. The threat of obstructionism may be greater than the reality, but it is still important to remember the lessons of the Southern Manifesto.
