"At this point, I couldn't even identify her base."
1. me (a long time 'on the committee' Republican) and other non-pigeon hole Republicans, conservative on some issues, moderate on others but never blindly lockstep; loving critics of GWB
2. women - vote for her 'put up or shut up
3. MANY blacks - the time is right and even overdue
4.a counter to Hitlery Clinton ; perfect foil in all respects
5. an expanded Republican "Base" read Party
6. George W Bush's wholehearted endorsement and run a
Senator as VP
7. a whole bunch of "undecideds'- Dr Rice is VERY electable if the Republicans do not become lockstep, fundamental and arrogant...or is the deal already cut? GW today HC tommorrow?
I want some of whatever you've been smoking...
My point is that Rice has never run a statewide or national campaign. This is a significant obstacle to her candidacy. If you take a look at the base you have identified, you could plug Elizabeth Dole into most of those categories and play out the 2000 GOP nomination all over again.
In the 2000 campaign, Liddy Dole was a former Cabinet Secretary, without the extensive fundraising resources that are afforded to Governors, Senators and Congressmen. She had her husband's rolodex, but eventually those sources dried up. If Rice decided to run in '08, she would be similarly encumbered.
As far as GWB, absent a Jeb candidacy, I'm sure that he will follow Reagan's 11th Commandment and wait to pick a dog in the fight until a candidate's nomination has been all but assured. He is not going to play the Al Gore endorsement game and subject himself to any kind of electoral embarassment. Therefore, a GWB endorsement of Condi is highly unlikely.