Condoleezza Rice taking over Jeb Bush's education foundation

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush today tapped former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to serve as chairman of his education foundation, turning over the organization to the former diplomat and academic who remains popular inside the Republican Party.

Rice, a professor at Stanford University and partner in a consulting firm, has for the past two years served as a board member of the Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Bush launched the group after serving two terms as Florida governor. It served as the primary vehicle through which he maintained a public profile and pushed to export the education policies he pioneered in Florida to other states.

"I cannot overstate Dr. Rice's international and national accomplishments and the vast intellect and bold vision she brings to our ambitious work in reform," Bush said in a letter to foundation staff obtained by The Associated Press.

Bush formally left the foundation late last year, resigning as part of his preparations for a possible run for president in 2016.