Condi Rice Tops Republican Voters' Wish List For Veep

Former Bush administration official getting love from GOP base, in new poll

Condoleezza Rice’s week just got a little sunnier.

Rice, once the most politically powerful African American woman in the industrialized world, and the first black woman to be just two seats away in presidential succession, is now topping a vice presidential wish list among Republicans.

The former Secretary of State under George W. Bush has found favor with conservative voters and right-leaning independents, according to a new CNN/ORC International survey. The poll was conducted last week.

[ALSO READ: Top 10 Historic Black Female Politicians]

Rice, however, has repeatedly dismissed the prospect of running for vice president, Politico reports.

Of course, that means she would be inevitable Republican nominee Mitt Romney’s running mate. Twenty-six percent of voters polled backed Rice’s selection as Romney’s VP.

Other names topping the survey are former presidential candidate and Texas governor Rick Perry, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

Those polled had choices of eight names, including Republican budget architect Paul Ryan and “someone else.”

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]