Condoleezza Rice on Regrets

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered the keynote address at a leadership banquet for the University of Mobile Thursday night. For a Birmingham native born in the segregated south, coming home for a visit is very rewarding.  "To think that just a couple decades ago, several decades ago, I couldn't go into a movie theatre with my family and I've been The Secretary of State says something about America's ability to change", Dr. Rice told reporters at Page & Palette Bookstore in Fairhope Thursday morning where admirers stood in cool temperatures waiting to get copies of her new memoir, "No Higher Honor" signed by her.

"We're so honored to have Ms.Rice here on the Gulf Coast..I think she's one of the most admirable women that you could meet", said Rhonda Turner.  Sheila Daniels said, "I'm really excited. I've always wanted to see Condoleezza..have a lot of respect for her".

Dr. Rice's book gives an inside look of The White House during the September 11 Terrorist attacks. She recalls phoning relatives in Birmingham while seeking shelter in a bunker to let them know she was safe. She admits the country was poorly prepared for such disaster. Another deep regret, her choice to go shopping during Hurricane Katrina. When she watched New Orleans television footage and say most people in distress were black, she realized she had made a mistake.  "I was also the highest African American in the administration and so I had broader responsibilities and had no business going off to New York at the time of that great national tragedy", Dr. Rice told reporters.

In her book she writes that she's still mad at herself for not understanding her role until later.

While Dr. Rice has the respect of republicans and democrats, she has said she has no plans to run for office.

She's enjoying civilian life, teaching at Stanford.

On a lighter note, she's also a sports fan, but, not ready to make a prediction on The Iron Bowl.

"I'm an Alabama fan..so, Roll Tide. But, I've got other work to do between the Stanford Cardinal going to be taking on the Oregon Ducks on Saturday so...I've got to keep my concentration on that one for now..so".