Army of 'Condistas' push Rice for U.S. president in 2008

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July 10, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The names are varied -- Team Condi, Rice for America, Condistas -- yet the goal is the same: Elect Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice president in 2008.

A disparate group of Internet gurus, political junkies and foes of Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is pushing a Rice candidacy even though President George W. Bush's top diplomat has said repeatedly that she has no desire to be president.

But the Republican also has declined invitations to rule out a bid in 2008, spoken about the likelihood of a minority winning the White House in her lifetime and taken steps to soften her image -- words and deeds that have provided a glimmer of hope to her fans.

Similar Web sites have cropped up in widely diverse cities, including Seattle; West Sand Lake, New York; Magna, Utah; and Cedarville, Ohio. They are promoting Rice's credentials, soliciting donations and marketing T-shirts, bobblehead dolls and "I Like Rice" buttons.

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