More 'Condi for VP' Rumors

By Rick Moran

It's no secret that many top Republicans have been pushing Secretary of State Condi Rice's name to the front of the pack for consideration as Vice President. The rumors of her potential candidacy have been frequent and persistent enough that one simply has to conclude that this is more than just a trial balloon or wishful thinking.

But what of Condi herself? Publicly she has disowned the idea. But privately?

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been "campaigning" to be John McCain's running mate, a former Bush administration aide said yesterday.

Rice has been courting the Republican elite, Dan Senor, a political strategist and former foreign-policy adviser to President Bush, said on ABC's "This Week."

"Condi Rice has been actively, actually in recent weeks, campaigning for this," he said.

On the surface, Rice makes a lot of sense. If Obama is the candidate, you blunt some of the black vote. If Hillary wins, you can dampen the huge women's vote expected for Clinton. But a closer examination reveals the idea to be more wishful thinking than anything truly serious.

No doubt she would make a fine Vice President. But as far as her getting many black votes it is tough to overcome the perception that has been rammed home by black liberals over the last few years that she is some kind of an Uncle Tom. And her standing with women, while higher than it is with African Americans, is not enough to overcome the fact that Hillary is running for president - an unprecedented event for women and one that millions feel very passionate about.

Rice would not bring any electoral votes to the table nor is she a particularly inspiring speaker. And this campaign especially, McCain is going to need a more aggressive Vice Presidential candidate so that he can remain above the fray.

It just doesn't add up for Rice at this point.