ESSENCE: I talked to Condoleezza Rice last year. She said she definitely would not run for president.

McCain: [Laughs] I am happy about that.

ESSENCE: Some in your party believe she would be a great vice-president for you. Is that a consideration?

McCain: I think Condi Rice should be a consideration for any job, including president of the United States, because she is a true American in every respect.

ESSENCE: But for your vice-president?

McCain: If we talk about people we consider, we get into a very slippery slope.

ESSENCE: So you have not decided?

McCain: No

ESSENCE: Would you consider Colin Powell?

McCain: Another great American. We have been dear friends from for many years.

ESSENCE: There is an unwritten rule in American politics that you don’t criticize other American leaders on foreign soil, correct?

[McCain nods.]

ESSENCE: This week while in Israel, President Bush seemed to paint Democrats, particularly Obama, as appeasers in the face of terrorist threats. Do you agree the rule had been broken?

McCain: No, I don’t. He didn’t mention his name.

ESSENCE: Well, we knew whom he was talking about.