Condoleezza Rice not in race of Vice Presidency

Washington, Apr 8: US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice is not bidding for the post of Vice President, her spokesperson said.

''If she is actively seeking the Vice Presidency, then she's the last one to know about it,'' Sean McCormack said, dampening speculations that Ms Rice was interested in becoming US presidential candidate John McCain's running mate. According to Mr McCormack, Ms Rice would return to Stanford University, where she was a tenured professor. She was focusing on her work as the Secretary of State as there was actually quite a bit to do, the Washington Post quoted him as saying.

The rumours erupted on Sunday after GOP political operative Dan senor claimed that Ms Rice was ''actively, actually in recent weeks, campaigning'' for the job.

Ms Rice had earlier stated that she had no interest in being the Vice President after nearly eight years here and a year as a campaign adviser to then Governor George W Bush. She said it was time for ''new blood.'' Ms Rice has mused about returning to the faculty at Stanford and writing a political science book that only policy wonks would want to read.

UNI