[jla]

I respect your argument, but can't abide by it.
I ask folks all the time, people of different color, economic status, political persuasion etc. And I have to report that my assessment is correct. And the most critical (to put it very politely) remarks I get regarding Miss Rice are from blacks.
Besides that, I think most white Republicans are vocalizing their support for Rice only because she is black, and a female to boot.
Black folks see right thru this charade. "Well, that all sounds good, Mr. 'n Mrs. Smith, you liking Condi Rice and all, but how come you've never invited us to one of your cook-outs, out for dinner, or to a ball game together?"

I'm of the opinion, cchandler, that America is very much a racist country.
And I'm equally vehement in my opinion that as God is further ostracized from society, things will not improve.

[spintreebob]

Rice would definitely win both the Red and Blue areas of Illinois in both the primary and general.

The support (as with any winner) is a combination of many reasons including charisma, the image of a straight shooter, competence, experience, ideology, race, gender... but those last 2 are last. Remember that IL Sen Carole Mosley-Braun ran for president and got no support. So it isn't just race or gender.

The candidate who cannot put together a combination of supporters motivated for totally different reasons is a big L loser.

But unlike others who say "I'm not a candidate AT THIS TIME". Rice says a flat NO! with no weasel words to use later. Her lack of weasel words is precisely why many of her backers like her.