One can construe her performance as “fiddling while Rome burns.” At the same time, even incompetent Secretaries of State in feckless and irresponsible administrations are allowed vacation time once in a while, and if she wants to spend it playing piano, so be it. Now, it may be politically insensitive, or even clueless, but those are political failings, not necessary moral failings. Nah, for that, we can just go to so many other of her administrations political and policy decisions.

What are you talking about? I was there (and it was Dvorak, not Schubert). Did you notice that the people in the $30 seats were the noisiest with their liberal expression, and the people in the $60 seats were the noisiest with conservative approval? Coincidence?? Dr. Rice is an alumna of the Aspen Music Festival and this performance had been planned for a long time. She made strong declarations about the role of the U.S. in the future and I think that helped many people in the crowd (some from international countries) understand her views on the state of affairs. I would certainly not say that she helped Barack Obama in any way. And most of the people there were not “the nation’s most influential citizens.” Most were regular folks, like me, who only wanted a chance to see our multitalented Secretary of State.

As an Aspen journalist, I covered Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice being interviewed by Walter Isaacson at Aspen Institute. When Isaacson steered Rice toward commenting on the upcoming presidential election, Rice said she had no interest in being John McCain’s running mate and in holding any other high-level political post after secretary of state. “I don’t need another government job,” Rice said. “There’s something to be said for fresh blood.” Moments later she re-emphasized this point with, “I’m quite serious about new blood.” After the interview, several in the audience were heard to speculate on whether Rice’s remarks could be construed as a tacit endorsement of Barack Obama.
Sterling Greenwood
Aspen Free Press

Better she should have made her career as a musician.

Politicians need to be seen as having a break too!
They can not be crying and wringing their hands all the time.
However, if you are right and this help the Democrats recover the White House then play away!!!

She has been a disaster as a Secretary of State. She specialized in Soviet affairs—I once heard her attempts at Russian–they belonged to a first year student of the language. She had no experience with the MidEast, Islam, or terrorism.
Agree with Marian–she should have remained a musician. Stick with what you are good at.

I rather like Ms. Rice and I sure would not want to have her job. I have a feeling that the situation in the Middle East is such that no one could manage to look effective as Secretary of State. She is dealing with people who are fanatical and really don’t want compromise, which makes diplomacy tough.
I am glad she played the piano. In some way, it probably helps her to remain sane.

I’m all for multitalented people multitasking in an appropriate time place way. But this campaign has taken on a tone that is not healthy. While I understand my students especially looking for strong black role models I find a few things disconcerting. Why is is Ms Rice not seen as a strong back role model by young women and young men? She is attractive poised accomplished yet blacks view her as a sellout. If she were a man this wouldn’t be the case. Why are there tee shirts that state “My president is black”? If whites did it that would be rightly called racism. Obama is not president. If elected he should be president of all people not just blacks. Anyway we have had other black presidents if you do your historic research. Check it our for yourself don’t take my word for it. What about the role model of Bill Cosby for example? Why hasn’t he commented? Because he’s intelligent well informed astute and knows what is appropriate and what is not. Why introduce racism if that’s been the problem all along?

Rice was a disaster as National Security Adviser. 9/11 happened on her watch. The Aug. 6, 2001, presidential daily brief was her responsibility. She’s walked and danced away from every foreign policy crisis of the last 8 years. If she ultimately endorses Obama, which some say is possible, it could be the kiss of death for his campaign. Whichever candidate she endorses will suffer.
Please, Condi, go shopping for shoes and give the world a break from your incompetence.

I am an old goy who, thankfully, was raised in a predominantly Jewish section of Brooklyn’s (N.Y.) Williamsburg district. Were I to come face to face with any of President Boob’s entourage I would say, and you should pardon the spelling bubula, “Ich hub die in dred.”

Lighten up!
PS–I’m an Obama supporter. And, incidentally, a Brahms supporter. It’s just… let the lady play her piano!