However, I suspect that you are wrong. Gonzalez IS in the running and that' s why the president has refused to deny it. Thus, now is NOT the time for conservatives to be "quiet".
"Should he also make a statement that he isn't considering Condi Rice or Donald Rumsfeld"
In the context of the conversation on this thread the above comment makes NO SENSE, sorry. Neither Rummy or Rice appear to be in the running for an SC position, there has been no discussion among conservatives about them either way and thus no reason for them to be mentioned by the president. The same cannot be said for Gonzalez.
I hope that when the nominee is named, you will be commenting on the merits of that person, and will remember what I have said.
I am now going to bed. I will check in tomorrow morning.
Bush has clearly said that he will give no comment on the subject until he returns from his trip.
Now if Bush is a dupe, insecure and a slave to NY Times rumor mongering as you would have him, he could take your advice and start saying no every time he hears a name that he isn't considering. And if he plays this stoopid game, then the rumors will increase and his denials of those he's not considering will increase and at some point, you'll have the list of potential nominee that Bush has hoped not divulge yet.
You don't see anything wrong with your suggestion?