Rice is a contrast to Powell as the Secretary of State. Rice is a yes-man to Powell's closed door antagonist. Rice is polite to foreign representatives to Powell's indifference. I could continue but as different as they are, neither has been even an average Secretary of State. This is to me the most disappointing office of the Bush cabinet.

She presents a good face for the Bush administration. In most press gatherings, she communicates very well. However, I don't think she's been a great Secretary of State. Organizationally, her department, by most accounts is in disarray, with a high amount of staff turnover at the highest levels. On the positive side, Rice does have the ear of the President, as she's always been a close advisor, but on the negative side, much of State's previous influence on policy-making has been diminished by Donald Rumsfeld and the Defense department. The State Department and the Defense Department exist in tense harmony, with each constantly struggling for influence. In some administrations, defense dominates, while others, state does. It is a natural check and balance between diplomacy and war. Sometimes, it goes out of whack though. In this administration, we've seen the defense department take a stronger policy making role, with neo-conservatives civilian managers making a lot of the policy decisions. Condoleezza is a very good administrator, but not a great manager. She worked very well at NSA, but not as a cabinet head. This has led to the marginalization of the State department as a effective policy unit.

Secretary Rice is an excellent representative for the United States!

Incredibly intelligent, insightful and intuitive--that being said, how'd did she wind up working for this administration. Too many years with these folks, and you'll be in a tough position. Think about the future, Condi.

Ms. Rice took advantage of many affirmative action promotions to get where she is. Now she is happy to support every Neo-Con(vict) who spews their bile. Yet she is proof of affirm. actions value.

Out to lunch, didn't even consider Al Queda a major threat until after 9/11. She's as brilliant as McNamara was.

A right-wing hawkish joke. Worse than Powell as NSA. I can't wait until 4 years later when the Bush administration no longer exists.

I realize this may be a polarizing comment - but there's no way getting around it. In my opinion, Rice is an extraordinary role model for not just African-Americans, but for all citizens of this country. Rice is the quinessential overachiever who excells in nearly everything she puts her mind to. She is fluent in four languages (she knows Russian, French and Spanish). She's a classically trained pianist. She's a talented ice skater. She has the intelligence of a rocket scientist. She has insight, ambition, leadership and courage. Yes, she's loyal to President Bush, but hey, that's kind of a prerequisite to be in a Presidential Administration, don't you think? But calling her stupid, etc is clearly just that - a complete misnomer. Just because someone happens to hold an opposing viewpoint doesn't make them dishonest, unprincipled or lacking in intelligence. What's more, during the Senate confirmation hearings Rice proved that she can take the best partisan Democratic blows and remain calm under fire - yet defend herself when necessary if the attack becomes overtly personal. Love her or hate her, Rice is a born leader for the 21st century who puts the fear of God into leftist, Kool-aid drinking extremists. Like Oprah Winfry, she defies everything that PC victim-obsessed, patronizing ideologues attempt to spew at minority groups in general in the U.S.A. These extremists hate her because she doesn't need them nor their spiteful brand of political condescension/deception to become extraordinarily successful - as she is over-qualified for most any government position she or anyone else might ever wish to obtain. But wait, she's a Republican, she's black, she's female, how can that be? Hell-o, the year's 2005, not 1852. Only the worst kind of stereotypical thinker might attempt to belittle another's life choices/belief's based upon their own narrow definitions of what certain demographic groups must think or do. Critique her politics in a principled way by all means, but lay off the Uncle Tom race-card shenanigans.

Average token-mouthpiece. Another career stained by being forced to march on the hill and lie for this president. (See - Colin Powel lying to the U.N. about weapons) An obedient, well-trained lapdog who will blindly support her boss instead of looking into the true responsibilities of her job.

This woman has made such huge impacts in both business and politics and is so intelligent I don't see how anyone (republican or other) can say a single negative thing twoards this woman. Not one person assisted her in the career she has made. We should look at this woman and ask, what can i say about this woman? do I have the right to critizize? have I done what she has done? and only after asking these questions can we call ourselves objective and worthy of opinion about this extraordinary woman

Wow...reading some of the reviews some of you written make me afraid to even put my two cents in but for Condi sake I must. Either Condi is the buffoon you put her out to be or one of the greatest public figure there is. Just like a wrestler in the WWF the more they hate you the bigger the star you will become, truly good guys do finish last. We are all waiting for the bad guy to get his due according to us and thats Condi in this case. We here in ameriKKKa hate our on leaders more than the enemy dose. If we focus as much energy into uniting as one and boosting our people up we might just can win this thing. I hear racial slurs and sexiest comments about a person that is far more intelligent than the average person, thats not from luck or a gift. That's from hard work, and years of endurance, focused on success. Do you have this stamina, who you know that does? Condi endured nine hours of grueling pressure and 2 more the next day from 16 people. She did not crack; she had an answer for each one. She did not have cue cards, pre-rehearse answers. Can you do that? If not whom do you know that can? This woman doesnt need this job she can quit like Collin. You all cracked him broke him down with that uncle tom talk from his own people. The US citizens are an ungrateful bunch of spoiled like children. Who is going to step up and take her place? You all are making the terrorist case. Americans are no good and deserve to die, starting with their leaders. You think the terrorist are down talking Bin Laden for mistakes, and his policies. Before you open your mouth and judge think and ask, am I worthy of judging this person, because one day I will be judged for my actions. Be proud for this woman, she worked hard for where she is and she is an American.

I have heard it said that Hillary Clinton is the smartest woman in the world! Hillary has the intellect of a child compared to the distinguished Rice.Update:I tend to be in accord with Android here.

Y r u people acting like this woman is an idiot???!!! Ms. Rice is an extremely inteligent woman and should b respected like u would respect any other woman. C'mon folks!! Step up!!

How does such a so-called intelligent woman who is allegedly an expert in national security not A.) Realize that there were plans long ago to hijack planes and slam them into buildings and B.) Not realize that bin Laden To Attack the United States is NOT an historical document. She may have a lot of book smarts, but the woman doesn't have the common sense God gave a goose. And, she's so in love with Bush that she can't think straight. What Laura must think!

I feel she is to star struck by Bush to see the true picture. She is a brillant woman but needs space away from GW to see the whole picture & maybe Secretary of State will give her the light she needs to truly see & she can improve a very scary & sad situation in many cases.

The absolute worst choice on earth for Secretary of state. Yes Mr. President. I'm sorry Mr. President. Of course you're right, Mr. President.

UPDATE: I thought that the republicans were the bigots and haters of blacks. Slurs like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Tom are all coming from the liberals on this site, on left-wing talk radio and throughout the liberal media. Such racial slurs will continue throughout the Senate confirmation hearings and maybe, just maybe, black people in America will recognize that republicans are not racial bigots, but that the democrat party is, and was throughout the 1960's. Who resisted racial integration? Republicans? Take out a history book and read. Do a web search. There were more democrats than John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. You might look up George Wallace, Robert Byrd, Ernest Hollings, J. William Fulbright (Bill Clinton's mentor and hero) and Al Gore, Sr.! ORIGINAL COMMENT (11/16/04): This looks like a big jump for her, I am not confident she is sufficiently seasoned for a position on the world stage that is quite as influential as this. We will see how far strong intellect will carry someone against a pack of wolves.

One of the Stupid neocons that got us stuck in Iraq. Stupid? I should say insane. These people will never loves us you morons. When you blow up those houses and businesses in fallujah all you did was created more people shooting at the troops. Gee you blew up my house and business, how would you feel. These people in the Bush White House are real morons to get us into another Vietnam. It should have been in peoples memories considering vietnam and it's failed policies were a relatively short time ago.

I think she's probably a nice lady..BUT why is she wearing puppet strings?

On the list of potential GOP candidates in 2008, she was one of only two names on there that really interested me. I don't know whether she would be qualified yet for the Presidency (John Edwards, call your office!), but I'm impressed with her intelligence and the fact that she has a mind of her own.

I think she is ready to step up. She has plenty of experience serving in the Bush (Senior) administration as Senior Director, of Soviet and East European Affairs in the National Security Council, and a Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Now, national security advisor. Secretary of state will be an appropriate advance in her career and Bush knows she is ready for the responsibility.

Smart and smokin' hot! What more could a man ask for?

Sophisticated and intelligent. And knows how to get the job done.

Very bright, very slick, very articulate, very unscrupulous.

Brilliant mind, can hold her own against anyone.

a lying witch.

I am amused by several references to Conoleeza Rice (as well as to Colin Powell) as being on the wrong side. Am I reading things wrong, or is that some kind of code that indicates that all black people are supposed to be Democrats? What an unmitigated crock! Ms. Rice is intelligent, forceful, persuasive, and articulate. It's easy to throw stones at people involved in security affairs these days, but these truly are tough times, loaded with new challenges. I'd like to rate Condi a 4.5, but...

One of Bush's war dogs who trumpets the Wolfowitz etal line. I would love to see her join one of the Armed Forces so she could serve in the front lines in Iraq. That way she could do her part in crushing the bad guys she so eagerly rants about. You go, girl, and straight to the front lines, pleeeze.

How can you not be proud of this woman? Maybe if you are a man you have too much pride in yourself.

I have mixed feelings about Condoleeza Rice. On one hand, I respect her intelligence and education, and I am somewhat sympathetic to her because I think the Bush administration is trying to make her the fall guy for their own bad decisions regarding the prevention of 9-11. Having said all that, I don't think much of her for getting involved with the Republicans. Can you spell sell-out?

She is a very intelligent woman who is on the wrong side of the political spectrum. It seems that her job has been reduced to defending Bush and his questionable decisions full time. There is rumor that if Bush is re-elected (god forbid), she will not return as a member of his administration, which would be one of the smartest decisions she will ever make.

Totally untrustworthy.

Condoleezza Rice as National Security Advisor? Her advice certainly does not seem to be very good. Did you know she wants to become the NFL (National Football League) Commissioner?

She's a very level-headed take-no-nonsense type of woman and that's a good thing to see in politics!