It's Condi Time
June 15, 2005 — -- During her recent whirlwind trip across Europe, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made headlines at each stop. Wrapped in stylish suits and flashing a carefree grin, the trip was, in many ways, a coming-out party for Rice. To her supporters -- "Condistas" -- it marked the arrival on the international stage of the next president of the United States.
"She has the charisma and the background to carry the banner for the party," said Paul Deland, who runs the Web site condiforpresident2008.blogspot.com with his son.
Deland is one of a number of people trying to persuade or draft Rice, who has so far denied any interest in seeking the presidential office, to run in 2008. Through Web sites, blogs, road trips and conferences, "Condistas" are determined to get her name on the ballot as the GOP's candidate.
The "Draft Condi" movement even includes souvenirs. Do you yearn for a Condi bobblehead? Well, now you can find one.
Republican strategists close to the White House, who have taken note of Rice's public denials of interest in running for president, refuse to rule her out as a potential candidate. Some speculate Rice has to say she won't run while acting as secretary of state. For her part, Rice has expressed more interest in becoming the National Football League commissioner.
The rumors over who will run on the Republican ticket center on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Sen. George Allen of Virginia.
"She clearly would have huge support from the Bushes, who don't really like the other possible candidates," said Larry Sabato, the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia.
Prospective Democratic contenders include Sen Hillary Clinton of New York; Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts; Kerry's erstwhile running mate, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Gen. Wesley Clark; Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana; Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin; and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
"What the enthusiasm about Rice running really says is that Republicans, deep down, realize that there aren't really any other good candidates that could win and have all the elements they want in the next president," Sabato said.
