Security adviser Rice weighs run for governor

SFGate.com - San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 02/27/2003 | Carla Marinucci

[JohnnyZ]

Bush national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, looking ahead to her political future, has "talked specifically" to high-level GOP insiders about the possibility of running for California governor in four years -- and has ruled out a 2004 U.S. Senate campaign against Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer, Republican Party sources said.

Rice, the former Stanford provost who rates highly with California voters in opinion polls, is "very much open" to a future gubernatorial run in the nation's most populous state, according to those high-level Republicans.

Though they admitted much depends on the outcome of the expected U.S. war in Iraq, Republicans at the state's recent party convention openly speculated that a Rice campaign could instantly recharge a party still reeling from losses in every statewide office this past November.

"She's said no on the Senate race, but is very much open on '06," said a Republican insider who asked not to be identified. The Republican said Rice sees herself as more compatible with an executive position such as governor than a legislative office.

Mark Baldassare, pollster for the Public Policy Institute of California, said Rice is "a very visible figure in the Bush administration, very articulate, has roots at Stanford -- and would be taken very seriously."

[JohnnyZ]

Just do it Condi! Governor of Cali is 2/3 of the way to the white house.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

'sbeen done before.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Condi! Ping...

[NeoCaveman]

Condi ping.

[Sacajaweau]

It would be nice if she would come up to New York asd run for governor. With Guiliani and Rice in positions, we might be able to get New York back on track and set up some walls to the Dems' dominance.

[GraniteStateConservative]

This is a good find. I think that Condi wouldn't be happy in a non-executive role, too. It's good she knows herself well enough to know what she's suited for. This also firmly puts to rest the silliness (by some here at FR and elsewhere) that she really just wants to be something as light and airy as NFL Commissioner. It follows, then, that something like an opening to be VP would most certainly interest her. That's a good thing, a very good thing. We have agreement on both sides of the equation-- the president and the potential VP that the potential VP would make a great VP. That means options can fruitfully be explored and negotiated.

[OldFriend]

Much rather see her as Secretary of State. It's time to retire the general!

[WestPoint90]

Agreed. If things look iffy for GW in '04 she would certainly turn the ticket around. GW will not abandon current VP though. Too close to him. We may have to hope that they are reelected which they should be and have Condi there to ensure victory in 2008. She could win it herself IMO. What an amazing lady.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ordinarily, I'd be supportive, but frankly, Miss Rice is far too national a figure to be wasted on California. If I had to pick one of the 2 races, I'd prefer she run the Senate one, but I wouldn't want to have someone of her distinguished stature attacked by common street trash like Boxer, an even bigger viper than Hillary. As for Governor, to drop her into that cesspool in Sacramento to deal with the Marxist-Socialist fringe legislature that have aided and abetted Grayout Doofus in running the state into the ground would be cruel and unusual punishment, and also far beneath her dignity and talents. Let's have Miss Rice naturally gravitate up the ranks in Washington dealing with her forte of international affairs, next to either Secretary of Defense or State and then to VP, then the "big one."

[Artist]

Rice has been advanced by WISH List, a Republican women's group dedicated to electing pro-choice women, as a candidate for California Governor. An excerpt from their link:

"The results of this survey are quite clear," said WISH President Candy Straight. "Gray Davis can be beaten, Condoleezza Rice is the candidate to beat him -- and WISH will do whatever we can to encourage her entrance into the race."

Pat Carpenter, Executive Director of The WISH List, said, "The WISH List will work to ensure that the Republican candidate for Governor in California is pro-choice. That is our Party's best hope of recapturing the Governor's office."

She's not pro-life.

[Coop]

Flag

[Mogger]

but frankly, Miss Rice is far too national a figure to be wasted on California

Condi for PRESIDENT!

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

She's MORE qualified than Hitlery Clinton for public office thats for sure!! As much as I'd love to have her as our Governor, she'd be great as VP or PRESIDENT!!!!!

Whatever she chooses, this family is behind her wishes/decision 100 percent!!

God Bless Condi!!

[deedgirl]

Cheney is one of the most intelligent indivduals on this earth. I'm so glad he's GW'S VP. I wish Powell's would resign,I believe he the weakest link in the chain.

[caltrop]

While it's obvious that most of the previous comments would regard it as a minor detail, does anybody know where she stands on non foreign policy issues? As I recall, she's in favor of affirmative action.

[farmfriend]

God knows we need some revitilization out here. That said, I would prefer her to be VP. I predict that the first black or woman we get as Pres. will be Repubican.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[abraxas_sandiego]

IGNORANT COMMENT.