Actually, it didn't start here. It's been banging arond the internet since 2000, at least. Lately, there's been word that Bush has been referring to Condi as "44", but again, that's unsourced as well. This has little to do with FR. It really got going when Condi became a Principal with her own beuracracy, State. A lot of this is going on the assumption that as a Harvard MBA, Bush likes to get his Succession Strategy in order.
Be Seeing You,
Chris