WASHINGTON, Feb 2: President George Bush said on Wednesday that he believes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would not run for the office of president in 2008. Faced with a rapid decline in their popularity and the falling job rating of President Bush, some Republican supporters are suggesting that Ms Rice would be a good candidate for the 2008 election.

They argue that an African-American woman candidate running from a conservative platform will appeal both to the liberals and the conservatives. Such a candidate, they say, can also appeal to the minorities.

Ms Rice, however, says that she has no plan to run for the presidency.

“I think you need to take her at her word that she’s not running,” said Mr Bush while talking to reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday as he flew to Tennessee for a speech.