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Rice confirmed in lowest vote since henry clay 1825 { January 27 2005 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/212710-3649-010.htmlhttp://www.indystar.com/articles/9/212710-3649-010.html
Rice is new secretary of state
Key Bush adviser confirmed after heated debate on Iraq war
By Anne Gearan
Associated Press
January 27, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Condoleezza Rice won confirmation as secretary of state Wednesday despite blistering criticism from Senate Democrats who accused her of misleading statements and said she must share the blame for mistakes and war deaths in Iraq.
The tally, though one-sided at 85-13, was still the largest "no" vote against any secretary of state nominee since 1825.
Rice was sworn in seven hours later by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card in his West Wing office. Her designated replacement as national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, held the Bible. President Bush planned to attend a ceremonial swearing-in Friday at the State Department.
Separately, Jim Nicholson and Michael Leavitt won confirmation as the new secretaries of veterans affairs and health and human services, respectively, as Bush's second-term Cabinet fills out.
Rice, Bush's national security adviser for four years and perhaps his closest adviser on the war and terrorism issues that dominated his first term, becomes the first black woman to be America's top diplomat. She succeeds Colin Powell, a former Army general who clashed with some of the hawks in Bush's inner circle.
Although Rice's confirmation was never in doubt, Democrats mounted a lengthy and biting protest that showed she will not immediately match Powell's collegial relationship with Capitol Hill.
Democratic senators denounced Rice's job performance and truthfulness. Most criticism focused on Rice's role planning for war and explaining the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. Some accused her of avoiding accountability for the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Others said she seemed unwilling to acknowledge errors.
"In the end, I could not excuse Dr. Rice's repeated misstatements," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said of his vote against Rice.
Durbin said Powell had been "a voice of moderation," and he expressed hope that Rice will be inspired "to follow his example."
The 11 other Democrats who voted against Rice included some of the Senate's best-known names, such as Massachusetts Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John Kerry, the unsuccessful candidate for president against Bush last year.
Independent Sen. James M. Jeffords of Vermont also voted no.
No secretary of state nominee has been defeated in the Senate. Only one, Henry Clay in 1825, received more recorded no votes than Rice, according to the Senate historian's office. Clay was confirmed by a vote of 27-14.
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