CONDI, DAY TWO – AT 10:19 A.M. ET:  The boomlet seems to have more let than boom.  Romney has now reasserted that he "stands by" the commitments he made during the primary campaign when it comes to a VP choice, and the firmest of those commitments is to a pro-life candidate.

Rice describes herself as mildly pro-choice.  In addition, opposition to her has been building over the last 24 hours, especially on the part of those who don't remember her service fondly.  Her tenure as secretary of state hardly glittered, and she clearly had little use for conservatives.  Her lack of political or domestic-policy experience is being mentioned more and more.  And there's the little matter of who she voted for in the 2008 presidential race.  She never endorsed McCain.

Besides, some pundits argue, it is highly unlikely she could help Romney with the two groups most mentioned – single women and blacks.  True, she's single and black, but the idea that African-Americans will abandon Obama in any number for a woman openly rejected by the black leadership is absurd.  And single women, who often support Obama largely because they feel they'll need more government assistance, will not be drawn to Romney because of Rice.

I think this is a two-day affair.  If I'm wrong, and Romney picks Rice, I think it will deflate his campaign among the GOP base, a loss far greater than any gain.

July 14,  2012