"No, the top choice for the GOP is someone seen as supportive of the President's Doctrine on the WOT followed by two "perceived" conservatives."
It is obviously true that Rice was tailor made for the job she is in, and that she supports (if not creates) the WOT. And thank goodness.
It is also true that she has never repudiated her pro choice position, and that she has never run for as much as school board. For better or worse, campaigning is a very different school which most Secretaries of States (even great ones) would have no clue as to how to go about it. It is also true that she continually says that she is not running.
My only point is that if that is our favorite....then we have problems.
I want a conservative who has proven he can get elected, and who (like Reagan who ran briefly in 1968, and hard in 76) actually wants the job.
Currently no one fits that mold. Not even close.
I understand your point, but you've missed mine. Condi is well liked, but her topping in this poll has more to do with what she represents. A continuation of Bush and strength in WOT. Much as Bush 41 represented a continuation of Reagan more then affirmation of 41.
I'm not arguing the plus and minuses of a possible Condi candidacy. I'm merely pointing out this polling of "center right" blogs is proof positive the base that decides these primaries wants 1) Bush Doctrine contiued 2) Conservatism.
Whereas they don't want 1) A Maverick 2) lack of Spine 3) Liberal.
And, I think most of us are agreed we don't have an ideal candidate. So far I spend most of my time writing off people then putting them in a "not so perfect" category for consideration.