Tied to Bush administration. McCain must distance himself from Bush administration. Rice was oh so close to Bush and it just wouldn't work!!!

It would be interesting if the GOP picks Condoleeza Rice as their VP candidate. Of course, she's not running for President this year, but picking her for veep would immediately raise interest in the Republican campaign. Especially given that the Democrats will almost definitely be nominating either Hillary or Obama, perhaps it might be good politics for the Republicans to come back with their own "historic first", in nominating a black woman for Vice President.

As Sec. of State, she hasn't been all that effective, primarily because the State Department in the Bush White House has never been a center of policy-making, but nevertheless, she has a strong record of accomplishment, and I suspect she would make an excellent political candidate if given the opportunity to run.

She's  been around Bush to long for my taste.

She's smart, but quite frankly she seems like little more than a yes (wo)man for Bush. Furthermore, her foreign policy idea of supporting and pushing some sort of global democratic revolution at the expense of US taxpayers is morally dreadful and shockingly Marxist. Better neoconservatives can be found elsewhere... if neoconservatism is your cup of tea.

A poor choice of candidate, doesn't have very many of her own policies, has been an ineffective Secretary of State. In addition there are many much more qualified candidates out there.

We can only hope and pray. I believe that the people who are claiming she can't carry the south are off base. I am a conservative white male from the south and I would vote for her right now and I know a lot of others who would too. We need to stop worrying about skin color and worry about our country and she is the best to lead us in the future.

Ms. Rice would make a great running mate for someone. Theres always the handicap level, which we must consider, and she would add must value to a presidential team.

Right Now shes probably the smartest person on capital hill. I'm sure many don't like her and would probably say she would just be riding on the coat tails of President Bush. The thing is, we need some one who really doesn't have their head stuck in the sand. It's for sur the other side of the isle has nothing to offer. Their platforms seem to be blame the other party, pull out of Iraq, the economy sucks... and much mor of the same. What happen to my country, the country I love and served for 24 years in the Naval service? We all rallied together after 911, but now we are back at each others throats.. Darrel Whorley, You got it right we really have forgotten that we were attacked. I would be proud to serve again and have Miss Rice as my commander and chief!!!

Her morals are in line. She is very well spoken and decisive, what we all need to keep all the liberal immoral hoohaa on the back burner. Being immoral is easy. Being moral and standing up for her beliefs , that is not. We as Christians are told that if we want easy don't become a Christian. It is not the easy road to take. I have learned that over the past few years. It basicly comes down to right is right and wrong is wrong. When you choose the easy it is usually wrong.

I'm from the UK, and would like to add that if the US isn't ready for a brilliant mind like Ms Rice as president, but had your idiot Bushes and Reagan, then the USA DESERVES to lose it's position of power in the world. The world does not need a so called 'leading nation' that regularly elects presidents who do not possess more than two brain cells (Bill Clinton excepted). A nation of immigrants not mature enough to recognise that in the 21st century, gender and race should not determine their leader, needs to be relegated and sent back in time in Doctor Who's Tardis. It would not even merit HG Wells Time Machine.

The main problem with her is that she is very pro-choice, an issue that always saves the republicans, she is more pro-choice than Hilary.

I would vote for her. She is a positive image for the US.

I fully support a woman conservative president!

I belive that Mrs. Rice is a Great option. She has extensive National Security background, even heading the Soviet Section with in the NSA in the 80's. She has Grace under fire but is willing to show power when needed. I think this country would be a bed of fools to not vote for her if she decided to run. She has this Veterans vote!

While I would vote for if she was to receive the nomination, she would not be able to carry the South which is now required in order to win the White House. Here in Louisiana, we have open primaries that allow all candidates to be on the ballot at least once. In the 2003 governor's election, Republicans as a whole pulled in sixty plus percent of the vote, but once the race was reduced to a Democrat(Blanco enough said) and the dark skinned Republican(Jindal), Blanco wins. There is no other explanation, especially if you listen to the two candidates reveal their goals for the state. Jindal lost because of his ethinic appearance. What the uneducated voter did not realize that this guy was responsible for cleaning up the state's Medicaid/Medicare program before the age of 25 and was then a Clinton appointee to do the same in Washington, D.C., but to them his complexion was too dark.

We can only hope

Democrats who thinks she can't win a Republican primary are only showing their ignorance, either of Republicans, of Southerners, or both. Of the leading contenders for the Repbulican nod (Guilliani, McCain, Rice, and Allen), Rice would finish at worst second, if not win, in South Carolina. And in the General, given the choice of Rice or a "liberal", South Carolina and Mississippi would go for Rice in a landslide. Also, more presidents have been elected while serving as Secretary of State(4)than any post other than governor(9). So she is in a better position, historically speaking, than Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president. Only three presidents were elected directly from the Senate, two of which, Pierce and Harding, are counted amoung the worst presidents ever. ---- Its interesting that many of the No comments for Rice border on racism. Rice never talks about race, Bush never talks of race, and most of her supporters don't talk about race. It is only her detractors who seem to care about her skincolor, they are after all Democrats, and therefore likely to be bigots. As for the GOP and minority women - I will bet my life's fortune (which isn't much) that the first woman and first minority president will be a Republican. I am sure of it. I don't know if it will be Rice (I doubt it), but the Dems like women and minorities to stay in their subservient place. Remember, the Democratic party is the party of slavery, segregation, filibustering anti-lynching and civil rights laws, and the supporters of the Great Society program which has destroyed the inner city. The media and academia try to ignore that the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960s only passed because a majority of Republicans in Congress supported them; a higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats supported them. (80% Rep voted yea compared to under 50% Dem, you can read the voting records online if you like!) Indeed, the KKK was arguably the militant wing of the Democrat party for over 100 years. Republican policies often accused of racism (opposing affirmative action, for example) actually seek to create a color-blind society. As for a minority president - you need middle America to win and Middle America will never vote for a liberal regardless of skin color. More Dems on the other hand(being racists) will vote for a person because of that person's skin color regardless of qualifications. A conservative black man would probably have beat a liberal like Kerry as much if not more than Bush did, for example.

A black, female Republican. Love it! Former provost of Stanford. Basically, she's everything lazy Democrats oppose - succeeding in life without running around telling everyone her skin is black. What a concept!

First off, I'm a Democrat, but here's my opinion on her anyway. This could be the Republicans chance to appeal to women and blacks while still getting the Bush supporters votes. But, nominating a black female with a party whose most voters make up of white men could be dangerous, especially if the Democrats nominate a Southern male. And I doubt the primary voters, especially in South Carolina and other Southern places, would approve of her. This isn't it though, Condi has never served an elected position and most of her life was spent as a teacher. She was also National Security Advisor at the time of a terrorist attack, which isn't an advantage either. It's a little early to tell, but I say Condi will stay away from the White House as far as president goes in 2008.

First of all, those who seriously discuss her as a potential candidate are indulging in delusional, or magical, thinking. I'm not sure when we'll reach a stage as a country where we're progressive enough to elect a woman President, much less a black woman President, but it's highly unlikely it will occur in my lifetime, or the lifetime of anyone posting on this site. But, for the sake of argument, let's say that it's not an issue, and that we're mature enough as a country to elect a woman as President. What, then, specifically qualifies Rice to be President? Blind loyalty to an amoral political philosophy may be seen as a virtue by some misguided individuals, but it's the last quality I would want in a President of the United States. I'll concede she's highly intelligent, but she's never shown the slightest propensity for independent thought, or vision, or idealism. Her value to the Bush Administration, beyond her intelligence, is her blind adherence to whatever policy he's promoting, no matter how wrong-headed or idiotic, and her ability to distort facts and dissemble (Bush would say Assemble). She impresses me as a cold, cold fish, with no moral principles or scruples whatsoever. I'll admit she'd probably make a better President than what we've got in there now, but I think the guy making ham sandwiches at the corner deli would make a better President than what we've got in there now.

By mid-2007, she will be eminently qualified. She'll be a poster child for NOW, they'll completely support her presidential bid, as will the NAACP, Urban League and many other black groups because they know, as we all know, that it isn't about qualifications but about skin color and percentages. But, by then, they'll overlook her obviously superior qualifications and support her anyway, just to have one of their own running for the highest office in the country. It will be a shame not to have Slick Willie as the first First Gentleman, who could resist that irony, but alas, America, you can't have everything.

An incredibly intelligent woman, but I don't see her as having much political prowess. Then again, she may surprise us all. She would have a strong chance of pulling ahead in the Republican primary, but her close ties to Bush's foreign policies may kill her in the general election. Would make an interesting candidate.

There are 3 reasons why: 1) as the current Secretary of State she has the the international respect and expierence that most candidates who run for president don't have. 2) as an African-American woman, she has the possibility to be able to take votes away from two very important democratic bases, this will hurt the 2008 democratic candidate (ie. Hillary). 3)she can put California into the swing state arena. If you look at the county by county results from the 2004 presidential election you will see that California is turning into a red state. Now to put to rest those doubts that southerners won't vote for an African-American woman, this is a just plain stupid arguement, I might live in California but I am optimistic that the vast majority of people living in the south won't judge her qualifications based on her gender or the color of her skin. This is 2005 not 1965. This said it wouldn't surprise me to see her run for the U.S. Senate in California, if Diane Feinstien retires (she may be a democrat, but she has been a terrific U.S. senator), or she may run for Governor of California if Arnold decides not to run. Still I hold out the hope that she runs for president and then my dream ticket of Condelezza Rice (R-CA) and Mike Pence (R-Congressman of Indiana) for 2008.

I am so glad that most people scored Condoleeza Rice higher in the Raitall.com. In the Republican, Condoleeza Rice is not just literaturally something, but everything. She is professionally educationally everything and politically everything. How about an 13-years Ivy professor of Political Science for 4 years of Secretary of State, 8 years of U.S. Vice-President, and then 8 years of U.S. President? There is also one power behind her, God. Why she became the so-attractive Conservative? She is Prebysterian (the most formal and Conservative Christian). Abraham Lincoln, Bill Frist, Jay Rockefeller, and Zell Miller are Prebysterian. Although she is a Black, but I still wish her to jump onto the toppest rank to lead this country to this whole world to a rainbow. For example, the deals with North Korea and Palestine. She is a tough woman! Although, this is not a good time for a woman and a Black to be the President yet, but she is fit to be the VP of Bill Frist, Jeb Bush, George Pataki, Mike Huckabee, or Mitt Romney in the future. She will be the former wishes and characteristic from Thomas Jefferson, 8 years of Secretary of State, 8 years of U.S. Vice-President, and 8 years of U.S. President. The best thing for her to do if she is really qualified to compete now, is to try to succeed Dick Cheney, united the whole Southern States and Rural States with Northern States, including the Whites and Blacks in the 50 States into one valuable Americanism. Condoleeza Rice is professionally educationally qualified to be the U.S. President and historically lieteraturally qualified to become the U.S. President. She will be blessed by God.

Please. Bush's lap-dog will run out of friends fast once dubya leaves town. Her career of lying for her boss will come back to haunt her.

Personally, I love the idea. I don't know if it will happen, but it is still a long time until 2008. Between now and then, maybe more and more people will take a liking to the idea. I can hope anyway.

I don't think it's UNLIKELY that she will be the Republican candidate in 2008, I just think it's MORE likely that she will be the Vice-Presidential candidate, possibly with Frist (I think this is their strongest ticket) or mabye Powell, but I thik if Powell Runs, he is also more likely to do so with Frist (as either Pres. or VP). Not that it is unlikely to break the gender or the minority barier in one fell swoop, but there are still stigmas about women being more emotional than men (whether they are warranted or not, they still exist to some degree), and I thik it's much more likely that Powell or Frist will be the next Commander in Chief, that is if the party wins.

I very much think that this woman could do a fabulous job as President. She's steady, sticks to her guns and doesn't bat an eye at critisism. She is brilliant and well spoken and according to historic trends, she's in a great positon to be elected. If elected she would of course be the first woman as well as African American and both firsts would be huge steps for our country. She is very persistent and follows up on what she wants done which is an important quality in a leader, especially one that has to deal with the idiots of the House and Congress. (Mean no disrespect but they can't seem to get things done.) Rice knows what she wants for this country and that is another important aspect of a leader: having a vision. You have to know where the road is going to before you build it, that's the first step, and Rice knows where her road would go. It would go down the path of protecting traditional American values such as protecting marriage and giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves such as unborn children. Rice has the qualities of a leader, even if you don't agree with her views or policies. Rice's persistence and perseverance would be a great follow up to a her would be predecessor if she were to be elected. I can vote in 2008 and if her name is on the ballot, you can bet your last dollar she will get my vote.

I have lived all over the South and believe me racism is alive and well. Condi would have NO chance in the South and her reputation as a puppett for Dubya would greatly diminish her chances anywhere else. She could never make it out of the primary.

Although it's still way too early in the game to tell, Ms. Rice could be an attractive presidential candidate for the Republicans if a number of things pan out or line up correctly. First, she has to do a great job as SecState (do things like defang North Korea, do something about Iran, maybe get a real peace process going between Israel and Palestine, and incidentally get the Israelis to back off a bit). She has to mend fences with the Europeans, and try to get them more involved with Iraq. This administration has to make a go of it in Iraq, otherwise it'll be touigh for her, or any Republican to get elected. Further, she has to show a more independent streak, or at least come off as more aggressive in that regard. In 2008 it mght also depend on who the Democrats nominated for president as to what Rice's chances would be of being nominated. That said, let's assume that she were the Republican nominee - from a purely political standpoint, I think it would make sense. Altbhnough she might alienate some segments of both the female and the black vote, I think that she'd pick up more than she'd lose in both of those demographic slices. She's hang on to almost all, if not all, of the Republican base. She'd appeal to Christians, and maybe to Hispanics. Possibly to a large extent, her actual credentials might not be as important as her being to be able to get votes for the Republicans based on here being both a woman and a black. Personally, I think she handles hereself pretty well in debating situations that are stressful, and think she's ba able to acquit herself well on the campaing trail. But, we'll see in a couple of years how things go. It's an interesting possibility, though.

The world will school her on the game of diplomacy. She will get put back in her place. You go girl but back to the 'hood you came from.

Wut up dawg! Liza Minelli's gotta betta' chance den Condi runnin' fo' prezidint!

NO! Her temper and persistence is gonna get us into nuclear warfare. Why would Bush hire HER?

Smart, but her politics are all wrong. With her paycheck she could afford some braces. Nickname: BUCKY.

a minority and a woman....not in the GOP. UPDATE: I mean Not in the GOP as President. I'd lay money on it.

Note to Skizero - she IS a minority, AND a woman, AND in the GOP.

I dont think that she has any clue on anything but Defense?

Very educated and an excellent administrator and legislator. She's be great in the State Department, but she's not ready for the oval office. I would say she'd be a great VP candidate, but as far as the 08 election is concerned she's just not ready.

Bucky the War Bitch! A nut job! One of the worst Americans this nation has ever produced!

I believe the timing might be right in 08 for her to be a VP, but not President.

Puhleeze,we don't need a puppet for president.

I think she would be a great candidate and would win the backing of quite a few influential and heavily-walleted Republicans.

Don't be silly. I'VE got a better chance of being the nominee. Hell, YOU'VE got a better chance of being the nominee.