Condoleezza Rice to keynote GOP fundraiser

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will keynote House Republicans’ major annual fundraising dinner.

The former George W. Bush Cabinet official will headline the National Republican Congressional Committee’s March fundraiser.

“Condoleezza Rice’s life embodies the American dream,” NRCC Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said in a statement. “From growing up in the Jim Crow-era south to traveling the world as the nation’s top diplomat, she is living proof that our country is the land of opportunity. The House Republican majority is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to live a full and prosperous life — free from government intrusion. We look forward to hosting her and working with her to grow that majority in 2014.” 

The NRCC always finds a big-name headliner for the event — and often selects potential presidential candidates. Though Rice has shown no interest in a White House run, some Republicans have circulated her name as a potential candidate for office someday.

{mosads}Rice, who served under former President George W. Bush, has become slightly more involved with politics in recent years. She’s helped some female Republican candidates win office and supported a super-PAC backing female conservatives.

The headliners from the last two years were governors who, at the time, were viewed as potential presidential candidates. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) did the honors last year, while Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) served as the event’s chairman. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was the 2012 headliner.

The event serves as the NRCC’s biggest annual fundraiser. The organization badly trails the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in cash on hand — it had $8 million less in the bank as of the last reporting period.