Condoleezza Rice is the only possible nominee that Hillary can beat. That's why the media is pushing this idea. The GOP will lose huge parts of its base in '08 if it nominates Condoleezza Rice. A vote for Rice in the GOP primaries is a vote for Hillary in the general election.
If Condi is the Republican nominee, she wins the general election by 10% over any Demodog nominee, including the Hildabeast. The Demodogs may not even run a serious candidate against her, and focus instead on their Senate chances.