Transcript of the Week

Because you can never say "no" directly once!. This one comes from Meet the Press, hosted by Tim Russert, from Sunday, March 13, 2005.

MR. RUSSERT: Before you go, let me show you some photographs on the screen. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Van Buren, Buchanan. What do those six men have in common?

SECRETARY RICE: Oh, Tim, that's too tough for a Sunday morning.

MR. RUSSERT: They were all Presidents of the United States that were at one time Secretaries of State.

SECRETARY RICE: Okay. All right.

MR. RUSSERT: In light of that, I was up on the Internet last night and found this website: www.americansforrice.com, and it features these bumper stickers and this song. (Song is played.) Should that website be removed?

SECRETARY RICE: It's freedom of speech. But let me say, I don't have any desire or intention of running for President. I've never wanted to run for anything and I just don't have any desire to do it.

MR. RUSSERT: Desire or intention?

SECRETARY RICE: Both.

MR. RUSSERT: There was a great American named General William Sherman, and this is what he said: "If nominated, I will not accept. If elected, I will not serve." Will you issue a Shermanesque statement?

SECRETARY RICE: Tim, I don't want to run for President of the United States.

MR. RUSSERT: I will not run?

SECRETARY RICE: I do not intend to run for -- no, I will not run for President of the United States. How's that?

MR. RUSSERT: Period?

SECRETARY RICE: I don't know how many different ways to say no in this town.

MR. RUSSERT: Period?

SECRETARY RICE: I really don't.

MR. RUSSERT: Period? I will not run as President -- for President?

SECRETARY RICE: I have no intention. I don't want to run. I think people who run are great, but I don't want to run.

MR. RUSSERT: That's a Shermanesque statement?

SECRETARY RICE: A Shermanesque statement.

MR. RUSSERT: You're done. You're out?

SECRETARY RICE: I'm done.

MR. RUSSERT: There's news. (Laughter.)

SECRETARY RICE: I hope not.

MR. RUSSERT: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who just said she will never run for President; correct?

SECRETARY RICE: Tim, why do you keep pressing me to make these statements?

MR. RUSSERT: Well, because if you're Secretary of State will it affect your ability--

SECRETARY RICE: I don't want to run for President of the United States. I have no intention of doing so. I don't think I'll be President of the United States ever. Is that good enough?

MR. RUSSERT: And you'll never run?

SECRETARY RICE: I don't intend to run.

MR. RUSSERT: But it's different--

SECRETARY RICE: I won't run.

MR. RUSSERT: Oh, we got it.

SECRETARY RICE: All right, there you go.

MR. RUSSERT: Thanks very much.