Despite former Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice's repeated denials that she is interested in the vice presidential spot on a Romney-led presidential ticket, a recent Fox News poll indicates that she is by far the most favored candidate among Republicans. Of 901 registered voters (Democrats, Republicans, and independents) questioned during telephone interviews between July 15 and 17, 30 percent preferred Rice; 12 percent wanted Florida Sen. Marco Rubio; 8 percent picked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; and 6 percent preferred Rep. Paul Ryan. Twenty-four percent indicated that they “don't know.”
Among Republicans only, the results were nearly the same: Rice: 30 percent, with Rubio as the second most popular at 19 percent, and 16 percent said they didn't know.
On Tuesday, Reuters had the final three possible contenders as Louisiana Gov. Bobby JindalBobby Jindal, former Minnesota Gov. Tim PawlentyTim Pawlenty, and Ohio Sen. Rob PortmanRob Portman – all managing to garner no more than 3 percent, whether among the general electorate or self-described Republicans.
The selection of Rice would be a true “game changer” for both Romney specifically, and the Republican Party generally. For Romney, Rice's selection would immediately squash, at least temporarily, the now fever-pitched demands from all sides, including an ever-increasing number of prominent Republicans, that he release more of his tax returns. A Rice nomination would therefore change the subject from Romney's apparent personal foibles, allowing him to laud the stellar qualities of his new running mate. Rice could and would stem the downward spiral of his campaign, while simultaneously pressuring the president to now go on the attack against someone whom he voted to confirm as Secretary of State when he was the Junior senator from Illinois.
The Republican Party has never had a national black candidate. At least since Richard Nixon's so-called and successful “Southern Strategy” (designed to separate white working class Democratic Party voters from their moorings and usher them into the Republican Party), the party has been viewed as at least anti-black, if not completely suffused with white supremacy and white racism. The choice of Rice as the Republican Party's vice presidential standard-bearer would send a shock through the party faithful, forcing them to finally square their rhetoric of inclusion with their actions.
Yes, her positions on some “wedge” issues might not sit well with them initially. But if their hatred of President Obama is as deep and non-negotiable as they claim, Rice should only be a minor stumbling block for them in achieving their ultimate goal – the presidency.
Finally, Condoleezza Rice would force a significant number of now disaffected blacks to re-examine their loyalty President Obama. They would have to face the fact that their socio-economic position has actually deteriorated since he took office. That is, beyond symbolism and emotionalism, the president's black presence in the White House has not afforded American blacks any particular added attention to their very real and pressing needs, problems, issues and aspirations. They may be freed to view Rice as a future and potential alternative to the current “black president.” Further, the novelty of a black face in such a high place will have worn thin by the time Rice would or could step up to the big chair. And, perhaps because of the disappointment experienced under Obama, black people would take care to demand that a "second black president" actually follow through on her promises.
Politically speaking, any dent in the president's numbers of black voters is potentially disastrous for his re-election efforts. He will need just as many, if not more, black votes this time around. To lose even five percent of the 95 percent totals from 2008 could very well spell the difference between a President Obama and a President Romney -- and a Vice President Condoleezza Rice.
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