1 Well, Rice has said that she won't run. Cheney and Jeb Bush are also in the fantasy list. It's not an attack it's just the way things are. Of course, Rice won overwhelmingly, as she does in every one of these polls.

2 Dear Pixy, If you can tell me how long Secretary of State gets to keep her job once she announces she will accept the will of the people and run for president, then you might have a clue why she is playing it straight that she is not RUNNING. She does not have to organize any national campaign until 2007 when all the other 30 or so Republicans and Democrats launch offically. Did Hillary announce? Did Newt? Did Rudy or McCain? None of them are admitting plans are being made for them to run as president in 2007, so why is everyone so upset that Condi said she is not running? Our political action committee has been flying and driving to political events for the past year, building a base of support which we call THE EISENHOWER PLAN, as in style of a draft movement. At the Wisconsin State Convention in May 2005, Condi was at 30% by the delegates, with Rudy and McCain at the back of the bus. A poll was taken in Iowa, with 400 likely Republican caucus voters, again, Condi was at 30%, top of the line with Rudy and McCain less than 20%, all others listed below 10% and even 5%. There is a clear honest effort by americansforrice.com to show Secretary of State Rice is the most qualified and the most knowledgeable of the White House plans. She has built relationships with other world leaders which will serve her well when she becomes President in 2009. Our group started early in order to build that base of support nationwide by the people, instead of being controlled by some DC consultant. We are the grassroots, and with over 4,000 of us on Team Condi, we will be setting up Condi Booths at many events in 2006 as well. We are not going away, we know Condi can not run for awhile yet, and we want her to remain at her job as Secretary of State. In fact, she is doing her job with class, dignity, and strength, like a Velvet Hammer.

3 You don't have to work so hard to convince me that Condi would make a good President, Crystal! I'm already sold. I very much hope she does run, either for President or for VP, possibly with Giuliani. Just saying that I believe this is the reason Hugh lists her on the "fantasy" ticket.

4 By the way, I poked through the poll results, and as far as I can see there is no group that doesn't list Condi first. Giuliani comes second to various others for certain groups, but Condi is number one every time. You can be that people will be paying attention to results like that.

5 Crystal is correct, Rice HAS to say she's not running, she has 3 years to go as Sec of State. I mean, she's not Hillary Clinton, lol. But she seems to be running, as per her recent domestic PR trip (not exactly in her job description), & her public appearances with NFL head Gene Washington on her arm (something Tammy Bruce predicted Condi would do if she was serious, since the public has a distrust of single women)

6 Flap handicaps Condi's return to California. Governor 2010 against Mayor AV. Then - WH. Flap

7 Oh, how interesting, BA! I'd been wondering when she was going to work on her heterosexual credentials.(Of course, Hillary hasn't started on that project yet.) As for Condi's declaration that she won't run, she hasn't taken the "iron-clad" pledge ("if nominated I won't run; if elected, I will not serve"), so the door is still open to being drafted. (Eisenhower didn't take the pledge, either--but he didn't take the notion of being President seriously until Dewey defeated Taft.) Rice is a private person, and probably has very mixed feelings about all this, but she'd be a fool not to keep her options open. I'm sure she's considering it all very carefully, and the paucity of other quality candidates (with the possible exception of Giuliani, who can't get the nomination) very likely matters a good deal.

8 I would vote for Condi in a heartbeat. The question is, will the Republican party aparatchiks?

9 They will if Iraq keeps having elections, and its economy/infrastructure improve. And if G.W. throws his weight behind Condi when the time comes. Which I think he will if she decides she's willing to be "drafted."

10 Attlia Girl and Pixy are correct. The building support for Condi to be the Republican nominee is happening as we speak. The establishment RNC in Washington DC is behaving neutral right now, providing the discussion of 13 Republican men and Condi to be on the minds of the conservatives and the Republicans and even a Independents. During the past year, as Team Condi was flying and driving to event after event, the people got excited about the possible Condi 2008 efforts. Could it really happen? Are you serious? How can I help? These are the most asked questions and when they hear it is true and how they can donate to promote Condi for 2008, hundreds of people JUMP at the chance. Yes, there are 3 years left to go for Condi in her role as Secretary of State. I am going to do some research to find out how the previous 6 held their post while running for president. A few were promoted by the President they served under, so that cleared the field. Maybe after November 2006, we will see President Bush put his arm around Secretary Rice and tell the Republican party that she is HIS choice for president. Now that is my fantasy, and it is more realistic than Huge Hewitt ignoring us and our efforts. Yes, that is right folks, he totally ignored Team Condi in Las Vegas at the FreedomFest of the Young America Group. He was there with his radio show and refused to allow me to speak to his audience, that is rude in my book. I heard he did mention us once, as in the fact we had a booth there. But he failed to let the people know how many young college Republicans and young conservatives wanted bumper stickers and information about how they could help Condi in 2008. Oh dear, could it be that Hugh Hewitt is scared of us? Could it be that he already has his mind made up for a certain Republican to win in 2008 and refused to allow any debate on his radio program? He is acting like the liberal reporters at USA Today and the NY Times. What a shocking viewpoint, but I can only call it as I see it. Thanks Miss Attila for allowing me to speak up for Condi. And it is a JOY to read all the viewpoints on your blog. Keep up your efforts to bring your audience the real voices from real people. [Edited to clarify the fact that Attila Girl and Miss Attila are the same person.—LMA/AG/Joy]

11 I waaaant Condi I waaaant Condi! http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1122995015.shtml