Thank You Condi Rice

Our Bush Thankathon would not be complete without a tribute to our Secretary of State!

After Laura Bush, there has been one other person seen most often at President Bush's side. His faithful friend, the former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Affectionately called "Condi" by President Bush, he was often overheard saying "get me Condi" when some problem or other cropped up around the world.

Since the early days of President Bush's 2000 campaign for president Dr. Rice has been there on an almost daily basis. She has become part of the Bush family and stayed with them at the ranch and Camp David on numerous occasions.

She has been at the heart of every decision on national security and foreign policy during the last eight years and has represented our nation overseas with style and dignity.

With all the hoopla over the inauguration of the nation's first black president, let's not forget that trail blazers like the first black female Secretary of State led the way.

Condi is one heck of a class act!

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walk from the Oval Office to board Marine One at the White House in Washington November 21, 2008. They are on their way to the APEC Summit in Peru.

President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walk to the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, after spending the weekend at Camp David.

President George W. Bush is introduced by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the U.S. Department of State Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, during a ceremony commemorating foreign policy achievements. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is introduced by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the U.S. Department of State Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, during a ceremony commemorating foreign policy achievements. White House photo by Eric Draper

US President George W. Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wave as they arrive on the South Lawn of the White House November 17, 2008 from Camp David.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice answers questions on the Middle East during a news conference with President George W. Bush Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, in Crawford, Texas. White House photo by Eric Draper

Standing with his national defense team, President George W. Bush talks with the press at Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas, Monday, Aug. 23, 2004. Pictured, from left, are: Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Meyers

President George W. Bush meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the Foreign Policy Team at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Thursday, August 11, 2005. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush meets with his National Security advisors via video conference at Camp David, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001. Also pictured from left, White House Chief of Staff Andy Card, CIA Director George Tenent and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. White House photo by Eric Draper.

President George W. Bush meets with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the White House Monday evening, July 31, 2006, to discuss her recent trip to the Middle East. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is joined for lunch Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, by Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice and Karen Hughes, newly appointed Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush bows his head as he stands with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Thursday, April 3, 2008, at the start of the North Atlantic Council Summit in Bucharest. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

US President George W. Bush (R) kisses US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) during a ceremony at the US State Department in Washington, DC, January 15, 2009 commemorating foreign policy achievements during the Bush administration.

Thank You Condi!