It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future
-- attributed to Yogi Berra

What does the future hold for Secretary of State Rice for 2008, and beyond?

Will she return to her life as an academic - as she has sometimes hinted, while never actually taking the "Shermanesque" pledge? Will she use the post-2008 period as a time for a well-deserved vacation from the beltway pressure cooker, an escape from the incessant sniping of the Washington press corps (and in her case, self-appointed "fashion police"), and a time to write her memoirs - thus securing her financial future? (We wonder if Condi will be offered a major publisher's "advance" to rival or, dare we say, even exceed the one that the current junior senator from New York received?) As Secretary Rice's "grassroots" supporters, we certainly do not know. However, that does not keep us from thinking about how her future and our nation's future will one day intertwine.

Although, we may not be certain if Condi will entertain the idea of elective political office in 2008, 2012, 2016, or ever, for that matter; we are certain of her contributions to our national security in the past and of her unique qualifications to continue her life of public service in the future based on years of experience and numerous, invaluable personal relationships around the globe.