[MadIvan]

But she's gotta become either Defense or State boss in the meantime. How about Powell steps down after Bush re-election, and Rice gets the promotion?

Or Vice President. No disrespect to Mr. Cheney, but he is not likely to run in 2008 and the VP slot can be effectively used to groom a successor.

Thinking a bit further, how about Rice/Frist....would that ticket be brainy enough??? (By the way, the reference to the Iron Lady warms my heart considerably!)

I would suggest someone from the West. Perhaps Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, who seems to be reliable enough.

Rice would be brilliant because in the debates Hillary could not pull her "hurt little woman" routine as she did on Rick Lazio. Plus it would thoroughly confuse the minority vote.

Regards, Ivan

[TexasRepublicans]

yeah, but Cheney is going to run as VP in '04, right?

clearly there is no way that he can run in '08 b/c of health.

so i don't think the VP slot is going to be open...though it would be helpful for Rice to be in a national campaign, that's for sure