Condoleeza Rice's welcome statement on affirmative action and the President's Amicus Brief:

"When the President decided to submit an amicus brief, he asked for my view on how diversity can be best achieved on university campuses. I offered my view, drawing on my experience in academia and as provost of a major university. I agree with the President's position, which emphasizes the need for diversity and recognizes the continued legacy of racial prejudice, and the need to fight it. The President challenged universities to develop ways to diversify their populations fully. I believe that while race neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body." (Emphasis supplied by us)

The complete text of Ms. Rice's statement is available here.

In response to Rice's comments, People For the American Way Foundation President Ralph G. Neas released the following statement:

"It is very good news that Condoleezza Rice agrees with Colin Powell's longstanding belief that it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body. It also reflects precisely both what the law of the land has been for a quarter of a century and what a bipartisan majority of the American support."