I've long thought that Condoleeza Rice is the Republican Party's best choice for a 2008 candidate, for both substantive and less-substantive reasons. And this Althouse post shows that I must not be the only one (just over 30% of Iowa Republicans polled agree).

Although I generally believe that predictions of both candidates and appointees are pretty fruitless, as some degree of a dark horse seems to win out so often, I also believe 2008 is shaping up to be a bit different. Hillary Clinton's presidential aspirations are both shockingly transparent and extraordinarily popular, such that she could easily get the DNC nomination. So, in addition to her substantive merit, what better candidate than Rice to run against? (I've also long believed that the first woman to get the Democratic or Republican nomination will almost undoubtedly win.)