(Newser) – The smart money is still on Mitt Romney picking someone from the Ryan-Rubio-Portman-Pawlenty camp as his VP, but yesterday's tease from Ann Romney that a woman is under consideration prompted Bill Kristol to rethink the prospects of Condoleezza Rice. Sure, Sen. Kelly Ayotte or New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez are possibilities, but Kristol thinks those are "risky picks" given their lack of experience, he writes at the Weekly Standard.

"No, the woman Ann Romney likely has in mind is Condoleezza Rice," and it makes sense because she "offers an unusual combination of being at once a reassuring pick (she served at the highest levels of the federal government for eight years) and an exciting one." As for the small matter of Rice saying she's not interested, keep in mind that Dick Cheney was saying the same thing way back when, he adds. Still, it's a long shot, and Kristol's best guess remains Paul Ryan. (Read more Condoleezza Rice stories.)

