Condi hails Obama

One of the first to congratulate Barack Obama on winning the Democratic nomination was Republican Condoleezza Rice who, for the moment at least, is the highest ranking African-American in the White House. Putting aside political loyalties, the Secretary of State was clearly thrilled at his achievement.

"The United States of America is an extraordinary country," said Rice, the first black woman to hold her position. "It's a country that has overcome many, many years, decades - actually a couple of centuries - of trying to make good on its principles."

Referring to the opening line of the US Constitution, she added: "I think that what we're seeing is an extraordinary expression of the fact that 'we the people' is beginning to mean all of us."

As for her own ambitions - her name has come up as a potential running-mate for Republican nominee John McCain - Rice confirmed again that she was not interested. She has already indicated that she plans to return to Stanford University in California where she is a professor of political science.