Condi in '08?

[dfaugh]

I've said she should be the next prez for a while now

Rice is associated with the Bush adminstration, so she is unelectable. She would loose by a landslide against Hillary. Personally, the only Republican that can beat Hillary is McCain.

See, I think she'd be just the ticket for beating Hitlery, or any of the Dems. She will "steal away" votes from minorities and women voters that have traditionally voted Democrat. (This should in no way be construed to be racist or sexist---just a fact that many people make election judgements on criteria like these). And we'd get past the whole minority/woman prsident thing in one shot.

The good news is, as far as I'm concerned she's about the sharpest tack in high level government today. This is very intelligent person, who puts THOUGHT into her decisions, and generally comes up with "right" answers. The bad news is, because she is sharp, she doesn't want to play in the normal political landscape. She's probably too honest for her own good! I suspect this is why she says she won't run.

If not '08 maybe later, but I truly think she would be a great President.

Edited to add: Yeah, Colin Powell wouldn't be bad either, but I think many would consider him too much of a "hawk" because of his miltary background. Powell and Condi together...Boy, that would be a "powerhouse" combination!
.

 

[sumpnz]

If Condi runs I'll volunteer for her campaign (and I'm a late 20's white guy - OK, fine, almost 30).

 

[Keith Wheeler]

Condi has the following "problems", none of them insurmountable, but...well. This is the GOP. With the exception of Reagan, when was the last time they put foward a solid candidate? And Reagan was 26 years ago. Anyway...

5) She is both incredibly intelligent and well educated.

Some of the afore-mentioned troglodytes also mistrust and possibly even detest those smarter than they are. I've encountered a number of people who, when discussing Kerry vs GWB, claimed Kerry <heavy redneck accent>"just ain't one of us, like Bush is"</heavy redneck accent>. Just look at the comments that crop up on this board when it comes to anyone with more than a bachelor's degree.

All five of those are sad. Dr. Rice (only after I've earned that title will I leave it off when talking about those who have) exemplifies a "true American" in so many different ways. She'd have my vote.

I wish she'd run just for the chance to see her debate Hillary Clinton. Thoughtful, intelligent, rational strength vs angry, emotional elitism. It'd be a major historical moment in American politics.

 

[real_name]

Dick Morris argues the merits of Condoleeza Rice presidential campaign, saying "the political fact is that a Rice candidacy would destroy the electoral chances of the Democratic Party by undermining its demographic base."

"Rice’s credentials for a candidacy are extensive and will grow throughout her tenure at the State Department. As former chancellor of Stanford University, she would have much in common with the pre-political careers of Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower, presidents of Princeton and Columbia universities. Her service as national security adviser during a war and her current efforts as secretary of state demonstrate her ability to handle crises and to conduct herself with dignity and impact on the world stage."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2005/02/09/condoleeza_rice_in_2008.html

However,

asked about the group "Americans for Rice," which has run TV ads in both Iowa and New Hampshire boosting her candidacy, Rice told Wallace: "I'm flattered that people think of me in that way, but ... [I've said] I don't know how many ways to say no. ... I'm not somebody who wants to run for office, haven't ever run for anything. I don't think I ever ran for high school president."

Rice insisted that "unless I go to the NFL" when her stint as secretary of state comes to an end, "I'm headed back to Stanford to teach." She was referring to her long-held desire to head the National Football League.

However, asked about a possible presidential run by NBC's "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert, Dr. Rice appeared reluctant to say "never" to possibly being on the GOP's 2008 ticket.

Rice also artfully dodged a question as to whether Americans for Rice should pull its TV ads encouraging her 2008 bid.

A partial transcript of the "Meet the Press" exchange follows:
RUSSERT: ... Would you accept a position on the Republican ticket in 2008?

RICE: Tim, I'm flattered that people think of me in that way, but I think it was on your show that I said I don't know how many ways to say no. I really am – I'm not somebody who wants to run for office, haven't ever run for anything. I don't think I ever ran for high school president. And I think I'm doing what I need to do, which is to try and promote American foreign policy and American interests, the president's democracy agenda at an extraordinary time. And to the degree that I can do that across the world, that's what I'd better keep doing.

RUSSERT: So you absolutely will not accept a position on the ticket in 2008?

RICE: Tim, I don't see it – I don't know how many ways to say no.

RUSSERT: So, no?

RICE: Tim, I don't know how many ways to tell people that this – I have no interest in being a candidate for anything.

RUSSERT: Well, but no interest is different than no, absolutely no.

RICE: No.

RUSSERT: Should they stop running that ad?

RICE: Tim, again, I appreciate and I'm flattered that people think of me in those terms, but it's not what I want to do with my life. It's not what I'm going to do with my life.

[END EXCERPT]

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/10/16/204831.shtml

 

[Keith Wheeler]

Rice insisted that "unless I go to the NFL" when her stint as secretary of state comes to an end, "I'm headed back to Stanford to teach." She was referring to her long-held desire to head the National Football League.

Hmmm, maybe she could get the bubba vote after all!

I think, however, this is one of the failings of our political system.

Dr. Rice said:

...I'm flattered that people think of me in those terms, but it's not what I want to do with my life. It's not what I'm going to do with my life.

"...not what I'm going to do with my life." Obviously there are thoughtful, intelligent, strong, capable people who could do an amazing job as elected officials. Unfortunately we have an environment where today's Jeffersons just don't want to be in elected office.

If there's an environment where those who are perhaps the "best" for the job just plain don't want to, you have to wonder what traits are associated with those who do.

 

[junyo]

junyo, I think Condi would draw her share of urban black voters. she has that "Started at the bottom and worked her way up" factor that Hil doesnt have (being a married, kept woman for most of her adult life).
****
She will "steal away" votes from minorities and women voters that have traditionally voted Democrat.

Latinos, apart from Puerto Ricans, don't identify with blacks in any way, so she gains you nothing there. And ask around, when it comes down to it, a lot of women don't trust other women, so they wouldn't vote for one. Middle and upper class blacks will see that, but they're demographic non-entities. And for lack of a better term, for a lot of blacks, Condi falls into the category of a house nig...you fill in the rest. Black culture tends to fracture around some pretty stupid divisions that are invisible from the outside. And successful black people rides a knife-edge where any deviation from certain norms makes you a traitor, the one who got into the house while everybody else was stuck out in the field. Being a Republican makes you suspect; being a neocon, her association with and support for Bush, Iraq... her success is actually a liability in this context. And anything she could do to placate that community; throw them a bone on affirmative action, public school, or welfare reform; would lose her votes among the Republican faithful. She's got no shot. And the Dems wouldn't have to worry about getting their hands dirty smearing her because she'd be viciously attacked from within the urban black community itself. I could be wrong, but a lot of my friends are east coast purple staters that have been in play the last few elections. The common deal breaker among the African Americans was they wouldn't vote for Rice.

Which is truly ridiculous since Obama will be given a free hand to run way right and position himself as a centrist. The next election will be a race to the center.

 

[real_name]

She has one skeleton in the closet that she obviously doesn't want dragged through the primaries, let alone a presidency.
Her sexuality.
I have no problem with a black lesbian President but I'm not sure three radical changes in public acceptance (female, black, gay) can be swallowed by the masses in one fell swoop.

 

[dfaugh]

Her sexuality.

References PLEASE. I don't recall seeing anything labelled her as a lesbian (But I don't read every possible news source, either).

I'd still argue that the "stigma" of being gay (even though I don't understand it) would have a huge impact.

(Note: I don't particularly support the gay lifestyle...even thought I had many friends and colleagues that were gay, including a family freind that I grew up with, who was eventually murdered because he was gay.) But, as far as being an effective president, I don't see it as a factor, even though I may not agree with it.

The KEY is WHO can be the BEST President regardless of sex/race/sexual orientation.

 

[Daps]

Condi wouldnt win, She;d lose by a landslide. My dad and I talked about what wouldnt happen if a Condi Hillary ticket were put forth and he was like the same ones who say they'd vote for her will get to the pulls and just cant pull that lever for a black woman. I tend to agree with him on that no offense to anyone because Im sure there are a few who will do what they say.

Condi also has the stink of Bush on her. IMO if the Reps ran her against Hillary to me it would seem like a gimmick.

I wouldnt vote for either one of them point blank, wont vote for Obama either. Obama has Oprah behind him, and the oprah sheep are going to follow her lead thats just the way it is. I know most black people tend to vote Dem but me I'll vote for who I think represents me best and Obama from some stuff I heard from him it's not going to happen, plus he's from Il. Dr. Rice doesn't fill the bill either.

I'm stuck this election and it sucks as I don't see anyone being mentioned that I feel I can vote for.

 

[real_name]

References PLEASE.

There aren't any, by the very nature of the subject it would have to be an admission on her behalf to verify the matter. There is extensive chatter on the subject regarding her life in Stanford and DC, but it remains just that. Do a google on her name plus lesbian.
But rumors stick.
I would love to see her become President, it would be very refreshing. But as I already said, I don't believe the nation is ready.

 

[tellner]

There's also "chatter" that she and the President are having an affair. There's no evidence of that one, either. Besides it's so wrong on so many levels you just don't want to think about it too long. Lesbianism is a traditional charge against successful women of all sorts, particularly if they forgo marriage for the sake of their careers.

I'm afraid that even if Dr. Rice were elected she would find herself sandbagged by the same Old Boys club that's isolated her and left her powerless as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

She will "steal away" votes from minorities and women voters that have traditionally voted Democrat.

No, Condi would not steal minority votes from the Democrats because of her sex or race. Black people have already labelled her as an Uncle Tom, just like they did Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell.

She would get no significant support from any black leaders, black groups, or black people in general.

She would, however, turn off a certain number of Republicans who think only white males should be president.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Just because she's single and her love lif isnt in the media doesnt mean she's lesbian real_name. Not that it matters. A black, gay woman. How in the world will the dems accuse her of being prejiduce to a minority group

 

[learn2shoot]

Condi

Everything I have heard about Condi makes me want to vote for her. However, my first thought was that she doesn't want to run because of some skeleton. But that may not necessarily be the case. Perhaps she doesn't want the weight of the world on her shoulders. Perhaps she simply doesn't want that level of scrutiny for the rest of her life. Being president doesn't end in 4-8 years.... It is a life sentence to public scrutiny. Every time a past president is put in the hospital for a polyp it is on every channel of the nightly news. I guess my point is that maybe she has secret affair with the president, lesbian lover, or a person who is now dead because of a car driven into a pond. Perhaps she simply doesn't want the job... This makes me want to vote for her even more.... There is always a write-in

 

[Henry Bowman]

Her situation would be somewhat similar to that of Ken Blackwell who ran for Governor of Ohio. He did not get the black vote and was successfully demonized by the left, and mistrusted by uninformed on the right, because he did not "go negative" against Taft in the campaign. Condi would be put in the even harder situation of having to "go negative" against Bush while serving under him. Instead, she would have to sit mute while she was painted with Bush's ills to the uninformed. She would need to resign as SoS within the next few months, or wait until 2012 or 2016.

 

[Daps]

quote:No, Condi would not steal minority votes from the Democrats because of her sex or race. Black people have already labelled her as an Uncle Tom, just like they did Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell.

She would get no significant support from any black leaders, black groups, or black people in general.

She would, however, turn off a certain number of Republicans who think only white males should be president.

Ding ding thats the correct answer right there, she wouldnt get the backing and like I said Oprah backs Obama

I think Colin really got labeled after he followed Bush war plans and knew what he went before the UN wasn't true, but he gained points again when he started questioning and stepped down.

 

[Marshall]

She would get my vote over McCain or Giuliani. Giuliani is basically a closet liberal and McCain goes back and forth from liberal to conservative more than lizards change colors.

Where's Newt?

 

[ryoushi]

I just don't see any compelling evidence that she would be a great leader. Certainly she's no worse than the usual suspects but what is there that suggests she's any better.

 

[Otherguy Overby]

Make the left go insane.

From another thread:

John Bolton for Pres
Condi for V Pres

The left's worst nightmare...

 

[real_name]

I just don't see any compelling evidence that she would be a great leader.

Rice has served on the board of directors for the Carnegie Corporation, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Charles Schwab Corporation, the Chevron Corporation, Hewlett Packard, the Rand Corporation, the Transamerica Corporation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and KQED, public broadcasting for San Francisco.

She was also on the Board of Trustees of the University of Notre Dame, the International Advisory Council of J.P. Morgan, and the San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors. She also headed Chevron's committee on public policy until she resigned on January 15, 2001, to become National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush. Chevron honored Rice by naming an oil tanker Condoleezza Rice after her, but controversy led to its being renamed Altair Voyager.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condoleezza_Rice

 

[stevelyn]

I've said for a long time that I would support and vote for Condi if she ran. There certainly isn't anyone better out there on the horizon.

 

[GEM]

As much as I regret it - there is political science research that indicates that 20% of the hard core conservative vote will not vote for women, blacks and/or Jews no matter what. That calculation in the 50/50 elections we have been having is enough for the GOP theorists to not push such candidates as it makes difficult a GOP win. There is the problem of the secret vote - folks say they are not prejudiced in public - but when push comes to shove they vote according to this or stay home.

I also agree that as Iraq looks like a mess, her support and statements on it will not serve her well.

She has a nice position on the RKBA but I don't think she can win.

 

[longeyes]

Yes, she's a "Second Amendment absolutist."

After that the picture grows darker. Frankly, we have way too many "geniuses" screwing up America. They have advanced degrees and regressed friends, and we end up the losers. Condi may be, on a personal level, a very fine, interesting, and impressive woman, but she has no record of concrete achievement in the art of political leadership.

She will be happy as a tenured professor somewhere, making a luxurious living off the occasional speech to the remannts of what used to be called the Republican Party.

 

[Manedwolf]

I don't care that she's black, a woman, or any of that.

I care that like so many in this administration, she failed upwards.

 

[one-shot-one]

$0.02

i'm not a big enough political hack to tell any how a group, race or block of people will vote but:

1. i (a 40 something white christian male) would vote for her unless they totaly screw up the running mate.
2. mccain and powel are not conservitives, believe what you want but i will not vote for either.
3. not have held an elected office previously, this should be required for every canidate in each new election!
4. "She would, however, turn off a certain number of Republicans who think only white males should be president." see number 1. and show me any politicaly-nationaly known white males that could do a better job!?