Is Rice Positioning Herself As A Possible Veep Pick?

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: John McCain

(AP)

There is a tantalizing new tidbit in the speculation over who will be John McCain's vice presidential pick: Steve Clemons reports that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is speaking at a high-powered Republican gathering run by Grover Norquist this morning.

Why is this significant? According to Clemons' tipster: "Someone like Condi Rice doesn't go to Grover Norquist's den to talk about the Annapolis Middle East peace process. She's going to secure her future in Republican politics and to position herself as a 'potential' VP candidate on the McCain ticket."

McCain's veep pick will come under particular scrutiny because of his age – he would be 72 when sworn in, the oldest president ever to enter the office. That fact has led to speculation that McCain will choose a young running mate – possibly, as the Associated Press reported yesterday, 47-year-old Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

McCain has other considerations as well, however. Conservatives skeptical of McCain are looking for him to pick someone to shore up their support – perhaps former rival Mitt Romney, with whom, it's worth noting, he had an acrimonious relationship on the campaign trail. Other names on thought to be on the short list include another former rival, Mike Huckabee, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

59 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 59 Comments


by blkpresident March 28, 2008 2:11 AM EDT: Irishwench,

I understand your sense of fairness and commitment to faithfully following the set rules to the letter (that''s admirable); however, Speaker Pelosi, in my opinion, is simply making an attempt to achieve a sense of ONE within the ranks SOONER than LATER. Maybe because of her initiative the dominos may all begin to fall into place, so we can unite the party and head to Denver, CO. with a nominee. This divisiveness cannot go on much longer. And what about John Edward''s feelings? Here''s a person who has done his best to stay clear of the fray, but as we count down to North Carolina''s primary date, he may have no choice but to throw his support behind someone, which isn''t fair to him because what with all the divisiveness within the ranks, OLD man McCain could actually squeak out a victory in November against either lil'' missy or Mr. Obama--given the current circumstances and discord within the party. I hope we come together soon or wish Edwards takes the high-road and simply not endorse either candidate and leave himself viable for 2012 in case OLD man McCain does squeak by. Of course, none of this would even be happening if she simply drops out. Some woman.; Reply to this comment


by KYJurisDoctor March 27, 2008 9:43 PM EDT: Will McCain bite?

He may, but probably NOT!

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/03/surprise-surprise-condi-rice-will.html#links; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident March 27, 2008 9:23 PM EDT: Irishwench,

Nancy Pelosi is simply dealing with the division within our party as oopose to ignoring it and wishing it would go away. At least she is taking the lead in restoring the party, which certainly is nothing Lil'' Hillary seems interested in doing. Unity is what we want and all lil'' missy has to do is step aside and drop her campaign. What''s HER problem?; Reply to this comment


by blkpresident March 27, 2008 9:23 PM EDT: Irishwench,

Nancy Pelosi is simply dealing with the division within our party as oopose to ignoring it and wishing it would go away. At least she is taking the lead in restoring the party, which certainly is nothing Lil'' Hillary seems interested in doing. Unity is what we want and all lil'' missy has to do is step aside and drop her campaign. What''s HER problem?; Reply to this comment


by candy-apple March 27, 2008 7:45 PM EDT: I certainly hope not!! That woman is a disaster-in-waiting. I think that ANYONE would be better than her.; Reply to this comment


by jsilver2th March 27, 2008 6:27 PM EDT: I''d love to see McCain pick Rice because it would be a disaster!

Not because of her, but don''t you all really think that McCain needs to play to his strengths rather than his weaknesses?

The thinking that this would pull Blacks into the GOP column is an error of monumental proportions- First Blacks will stick with the Democrats. Second many crackers would desert McCain who is already a suspicous person to them over immingration issues.

And a Rice VP nomination would really call the age issue into question as people will need to be able to see the VP as President to keep the age issue from gaining traction.

Romney also is a bad choice because he can only hurt with the Mormonism as alientating to fundamentalists and independents.

McCain needs someone that is younger and a close confidant that can been seen as ready to be president- If I had to bet I''d bet on Lindsay Graham- the Southern Charm would be a plus.; Reply to this comment


by enaudnella March 27, 2008 6:12 PM EDT: Hillary people will do anything to get her in office. Re-count votes against party rules, lie, go to the other candidates church, challenge Pelosi(the highest Dem) on superdelegates and the last is sad.....Tell their own supporters "It none-u-bizness"; Reply to this comment


by enaudnella March 27, 2008 6:09 PM EDT: b-easy 63,

Oh yeah I saw the water guns aiming at hillary and chelsea from the Bosnia tots that were waiting to read Hillary a poem; Reply to this comment


by b-easy63 March 27, 2008 3:41 PM EDT: ONCE AGAIN....Obama may find himself in hot water--not for something he did, but for who he knows. Those Rezko indictments are sure to heat up and spill over and cause damage!!

Unfortunately for Hillary--she can''''''''t catch a break, soon to potentially break in the news is the story before the California appeals court which could DeLay her candidacy for good. this time evidence shows that Hillary (HERSELF ONCE AGAIN)was involved. At issue is a 250K donation made to her senatorial campaign. Her staff said she had no knowledge of it, so she was not roped into the scandal when her campaign mgr faced charges of hiding that money from the IRS.

Unfortunately VIDEO may again place Hill in deep doo, doo. It seems there is a video tape recording her discussing the fund raiser with the donors (on it, she talks about who would be there and what they will do) this means she performed what is known as a direct campaign request. donations from donors for that kind of request are limited to 25K. Since the donation was for 250K, that would be considered campaign fraud.

Woe is Hillary and Damnnnn those videos and tape recordings that make being a great liar so hard to keep up these days!!! ROTFLMAO.

Maybe Hill should quit, before she finds herself in court this time, with no way to hide her hand in shady dealings. Here''''''''s the Link: http://www.usjf.net/modules.php?op=modlo

ad&name=News&file=article&sid=344; Reply to this comment


by b-easy63 March 27, 2008 1:57 PM EDT: ALL YOU NAYSAYERS: IT TURNS OUT HILLARY WAS UNDER SNIPER FIRE IN BOSNIA AFTER ALL:

Jesterbelle, you HAVE to see this video. It''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s the shocking video of Bosnia that proves Hillary told the truth!!! YOu will LYAO!!

http://wonkette.com/372675/sho
cking-bosnia-video-proves-hillary-told-t
he-truth; Reply to this comment