Strong conservative as well as a good strategy choice.

Successful politicians have a killer instinct, and there's no evidence of that here. She's also clearly indicated her disinterest in the job, and wants to return to academia. 

While her intelligence isn't in doubt, her performance at Sec State didn't remind anyone of Cordell Hull, Dean Acheson or Henry Kissinger, and the last thing McCain needs in electoral terms is another way to remind voters of the current incumbent.

Well she does have 57% positive ratings. But there is the connection to the current administration. Myself, I'd vote for her in a heart beat

She's made it clear that she has no interest or intention to be included on this list.  She won't motivate the conservatives, she's aloof and appears to have accomplished little on her own as Secretary of State.

Her strength and academic focus seems to be more geared towards Russia. . .her lack of understanding of the Middle East (complicated by this inept and anti-intellectual administration) showed that Rice was clearly over her head in these affairs.  History will remember her as nothing more than dubya's lap dog who obediently wagged her tail when told while centralizing power after all of those with honor or serious questions were chased out of DC.  What a serious disappointment.

I thought she did a great job and bridged the gap that a lot of men couldn't do.  And yes, abichara, she has said that she would return to Stanford to take an administrative position there ~ all the best to her! I think, that would be a good move for any Republican to make.  She would certainly put the womans' vote to a draw ~ the African American vote ~ not so much.  Too many look at her and say, "Uncle Toms' Cabin".  In reality, the reason she became a Republican, was because of her father.  He applied to the Democratic party (way back), and they refused him because he was black.  He became a Republican, and his daughter followed suit.  So, for all the African Americans here who firmly believe that the Democrats are all about diversity ~ learn your history.  The KKK originally started under the Democratic party.  To get off of that, I think that Condi did an awesome job!  She is also proficient in the German, Russian, Spanish and French languages.  McCain is only good at Mexican ~ and the only phrase he knows is:  Come On In!  No Mistreat At Guantonomo!

Condoleeza Rice has expressed disinterest in getting into politics, and I tend to believe her. In order to succeed in politics, you have to want it, and she clearly doesn't. In fact, she says that she wants to get back into academia after her time in Washington is up.

Besides, I don't think she has exactly been a very strong Sec. of State and I doubt that she would do much better as a political candidate. And McCain does need to pick someone who isn't so closely attached to Bush. A conservative is fine, but the party needs to put some distance between itself and Bush's group if it expects to improve its electoral prospects this year.

Well...she has Obama and Hillary beat with her double minority status. However, I agree with others that the Republican Party needs to distance themselves from anybody or anything related to the current administration. While Rice might have a role in a future Republican administration, she won't help the Presidential ticket.

She's too connected with Dubaya.

I believe Steve Earle has already spoken on the subject:

Oh Condi Condi beggin’ on my knees
Open up your heart and let me in wontcha please
Got no money but everybody knows
I love you Condi and I’ll never let you go
Sweet and dandy pretty as can be
You be the flower and I’ll be the bumble bee
Oh she loves me oops she loves me not
People say you’re cold but I think you’re hot

Oh, Condi, Condi
Oh, Condi, Condi

Oh Condi, Condi I’m talkin’ to you girl
What’s it gonna hurt come on give me a whirl
Shake your body now let me see you go
One time for me Oh Condi I love you so
Skank for me Condi show me what you got
They say you’re too uptight I say you’re not
Dance around me spinnin’ like a top
Oh Condi Condi Condi don’t ever stop

Oh Condi Condi Can’t you hear me call
I’m standin’ in the street outside your garden wall
Pocketful of money belly full of wine
Condi in my heart and romance on my mind
Listen to me Condi don’t be afraid
I come here tonight to chase your blues away
I’ll never hurt you I’ll treat you right
Oh Condaleeza won’t you come out tonight

Pretty little Condi precious as can be
Bet you never had another lover like me

God's Own Party 'won' the last two presidential elections with a reptillian VP on the ticket, so why not try again?

I thought we weren't looking for smart people.

I think magellan's right about the stigma that is associated  with Rice.

If I'm McCain, I'm probably trying to distance myself as much as possible from the current administration.

It's an interesting idea. She's probably the smartest woman on the planet, which couldn't hurt. I'm not sure how she'd come off while campaigning, but I would love to see her in a debate. One problem is she can sometimes come off as a little wooden, not quite the Republican version of John Kerry in that aspect, but a little... cold I guess would be the word. It might all depend on how well she can shape her image.

I don't see it being very likely, but Condoleeza Rice could be an interesting choice for VP. As Secretary of State, she currently has a position that is somewhat "above" the petty squabbles that are involved in running for political office, so I'm not really sure where she stands on a lot of issues. It's something that probably wouldn't be too hard to find, I just don't know off the top of my head.