Posted on 07/10/2006 9:10:59 AM PDT by xzins
'Condistas' Push Rice for President in '08 By JULIE CARR SMYTH ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -
The names are varied - Team Condi, Rice for America, Condistas - yet the goal is the same: Elect Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice president in 2008.
A disparate group of Internet gurus, political junkies and foes of Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is pushing a Rice candidacy even though President Bush's top diplomat has said repeatedly that she has no desire to be president.
But the Republican also has declined invitations to rule out a bid in 2008, spoken about the likelihood of a minority winning the White House in her lifetime and taken steps to soften her image - words and deeds that have provided a glimmer of hope to her fans.
Mick Wright, a webmaster in Memphis, Tenn., is one of more than a dozen people who registered draft-Rice Web sites in the year after Bush was re-elected.
"Once that was all over, you started thinking, what's going to happen in the next election?" said Wright, a co-founder of http://www.condipundit.com . "The first one to come to mind as a viable candidate was Condoleezza Rice."
Similar Web sites have cropped up in widely diverse cities, including Seattle; West Sand Lake, N.Y.; Magna, Utah; and Cedarville, Ohio. They are promoting Rice's credentials, soliciting donations and marketing T-shirts, bobblehead dolls and "I Like Rice" buttons.
The Miami-based Americans for Dr. Rice political action committee has established chapters in critical states, including Ohio and Florida. A second PAC, Rice for America, emerged in Greensboro, N.C., last July - though neither has yet reported any income or spending to the Federal Election Commission.
These activist groups declare their independence from the Republican Party, and from Rice herself. Yet political experts suggest party leaders must have a hand in Rice's rise as a potential candidate.
"Nothing happens by chance in politics. Absolutely zero," said Bruce Newman, a DePaul University professor and expert in political marketing. "Everything is driven by marketing, by polling, by market research and by very careful analysis of voters' preferences."
Newman, author of "The Marketing of the President: Political Marketing as Campaign Strategy," said the emergence of a grass-roots movement surrounding Rice will allow voters to feel they played a role in her candidacy - though he believes she is clearly being groomed as the political successor to Bush in light of Vice President Dick Cheney's health problems and unpopularity.
"The people running the Bush administration, and pushing for the geopolitical repositioning we're seeing take place around the world, would be happy to see that kind of person keep political power down the road," he said.
Backers like Rice for her intelligence, poise, self-reliance, values and ability to carry on Bush's international agenda. Recent polls show Rice more popular than other top members of the Bush administration: Almost six in 10 hold a favorable view of her compared with ratings in the 30s for Bush, Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.
If Rice won, she would be the nation's first black president and its first female president.
While Rice's views on foreign policy are well-known, her positions on domestic issues are not. She has described her stand on abortion as "mildly pro-choice," putting her at odds with many conservative Republicans whose votes are decisive in the presidential primaries.
She recently avoided taking a stand on banning same-sex marriage, saying Americans should be sensitive about discussing issues that touch people's lives.
Greg Haas, an Ohio-based Democratic strategist, said Rice's image makeover is a telltale sign.
"The fact of the matter is when you see somebody revolutionize their style, their appearance and their speaking manner, that is not happening all by itself," said Haas, who ran Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign in Ohio. "She has clearly begun presenting a different image, moving from a harsh persona to one of a more warm public official."
Rice has showcased her talents as a pianist at the Kennedy Center, lifted weights for a local Washington TV news show and discussed her musical favorites, from Elton John to Aretha Franklin to Mozart, for a British newspaper. The latter was a favor to rock star Bono.
Newman is skeptical, however, that Rice is ready for a presidential run so soon. He believes it is more likely Republicans are grooming her as a vice presidential candidate. He said pairing her with Arizona Sen. John McCain, for example, could strengthen the GOP ticket against a run by Clinton.
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Dennis.
Were those comments attributed to Hillary Clinton or Condaleeza Rice?
It will not be liberal Guiliani nor rino McCain, so it will be someone off of my list.
If you're using the telegenic & glib, then we'd have to put Gingrich, North, Allen, Bush, and Cheney up there....all of whom know how to handle a camera and a microphone at the same time.
Agreed. I suspect this idea was originally circulated by Dummycrats and RINOs who want to see conservatives lose. Every FR thread I've seen suggesting Rudy as president is rife with division and infighting, which plays right into the Dems' hands. Neither Condi nor Rudy has declared candidacy, so why don't conservatives get smart and unite behind one of our own, instead of pushing for a ticket that would turn off many Republicans in droves?
It's true that a president has little direct control over abortion laws, but not everyone agrees that there are "bigger" issues than life and death.
Thanks, that is what I was getting at. To say, for example, that Bush is more telegenic and glib than Rice is just not true. I've watched both extensively. So, why do people think Dr. Rice to be "not glib"?.
Whether it's true, or not, the color of her skin/gender will be assumed to be the reason.
I believe that Rice could revolutionize the republican party and open up bridges that have never before been posssible. I further believe that this is more intimidating, than appealing to much of the old guard.
Ken Blackwell in Ohio will win the governorship this year.
He is excellent with a mike and a camera.
He is also black.
He has a resume to die for.
Do you think either #1 or #2 will happen? I wouldn't hold my breath for either a policy statement, or a wedding invitation....
If you mean someone ON your list I doubt it.
"Off of" is an appropriate colloquialism.
Check it out.
But, yes, I'm right. In fact, I have far better chance of being right than you. One of my choices is ANY conservative with an 80% or higher ACU rating.
I win because I've got lots of leeway. Simple math.
Your numbers shrink fast when another requirement is put in: that more that 10% of the electorate have HEARD of the potential candidate.
Also a math problem.
It is easy to brand identify with only 2 choices.
But she hasn't issued a Sherman statement. Even when pressed if that is what she means, she demurred.
I can only hope. I am, admittedly, a one-issue voter. But my issue is illegal immigration, not abortion.
Most people who vote cannot name more than a handful of Senators or Representatives. Hence, those who are very familiar to political junkies like us are completely unknown to the average voter. Thus, it is easy to overestimate the appeal of those who are generally unknowns though familiar to us.
This is why Guiliani and McCain have huge advantages.
I listen to man on the street things that are done on talk radio.
I'll bet no more than 10% know who Giuliani is.
Besides, a primary is for the benefit of the base. These are the political junkies and they do know who these folks are.
Even with 6 names, it will be easy to figure out for the slowest of the slow. I don't grant Giuliani any edge at all. McCain a bit of one.
Frist's name is on TV all the time. Gingrich is a bigger name than is McCain. Jeb Bush towers over all of them.
"General in the Army" is impressive no matter what name you put behind it.
And politicians are so hated, and the military, currently, is so loved.
Here's a bet:
If it's Giuliani or McCain who win the primaries, I'll buy you a cup of Starbuck's best. If it ain't, then you buy for me.
Deal?
Guiliani is the most recognized Republican who may run.
I will increase my monthly to FR if neither of those two are the nominee. A buck a month, five whatever you like.
This is a no lose for me since the nominee will either be more conservative or FR gets a little more.
Unfortunately for your case though is that I see what happens routinely in Illinois and believe the conservatives across the nation to be the same mindset: Rule or Ruin. The most conservative candidates rip each other apart and so damage the Party that a moderate wins almost every time.
I simply don't agree that Giuliani is the most recognized Republican.
I'd guess Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, or Jeb Bush all surpass him state to state.
Five bucks will do.
Guiliani or McCain and I pay.
Anyone Else and you pay.
Either one may happen, but I pretty much take Condi at her word that she has no interest in enduring the crap necessary to win the Presidency or putting up with the crap dumped on you once you are President.
Which is a shame.
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