[AmericanArchConservative]

Please do not misunderstand me here, I am an enormous fan of Dr. Rice as a person of exemplary character, and a political supporter of her policy positions.

However, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Hillary is still a junior Senator, and though she may be ambitious, driven, conniving and ruthless, 2008 is not a "gimme" for her.

I also like Jeb Bush and IMHO, he should be considered very qualified on his own merits, but Americans have a built-in resistance to something which has a dynastic appearance in the oval office. (unless you are talking about liberal demonrats swooning over "camelot")

Condoleeza Rice needs more experience and credentials behind her name. Flatly stated, she needs to run for and serve as Governor of her home state before tackling the GOP primaries.

We need to identify a few different viable candidates (3-4) for the 2008 ticket, and as a party, we need to do it within the next 12 months. and start helping put them in visible positions of interacting with Bush and major policymakers of his administration, to undergird their credibility, and increase name familiarity.

Maybe Cheney/Frist for 2008, then Frist/Rice in 2012?

It is something to think seriously about.

A.A.C.
I repeat: Her character is good enough, her intellect is more than good enough, and her policies as we understand them are also in line with Conservative values, but she needs to hold ELECTED office. Part of that has to do with gaining the confidence of the major fundraisers - the rest of it is gaining the confidence of a wider base of voters

[traderrob6]

BOOO and HISS, Cheny will not run and Frist excites me about as much as grilled eggplant

[princess leah]

"I don't think a woman should run the whole shebang"

Guess what? Golda Meir ran Israel very successfully and God also used people like Deborah, Esther, etc. Look at her credentials, not her status...and finally, better look hard at who we'll need to beat the senator from NY...

[laissez- faire]

Cheney won't run, and even if he did, I don't think he would win. Bill Frist, even though I like him, the Republican controlled Senate has been a disappointment. Also, when was the last time a Senator won a Presidential election (Kerry, Dole, etc, etc). I think Condi would be a great option. It would be interesting to get a sense of her domestic policy opinions.

[katieanna]

"Condoleeza Rice needs more experience and credentials behind her name."

I don't know A.C. I would think NSA and Sec. of State would be adequate qualifiers. Consider, too, that Thomas Jefferson was Sec. of STate before he was president (albeit he served as vice president also). Remember also that George Washington was a general with no executive experience that we know of and he was a great president.

cheers!

[rave123]

That was the old way..2008 is the new way. She could run and win against Hillary anyday.