"She may present a slightly softer image, a slightly friendlier image, one that is not knee-jerk defensive" on issues like the mistreatment of terrorism detainees, Brown said. "But there are limits to what she can do so long as the policy is unpopular."
Rice, 51, grew up in the segregated South. She tries to soften the brash image the US often projects abroad by telling audiences the discrimination she faced is proof that America isn't perfect.
She is fiercely loyal to Bush, and tries to downplay her own rising stock and his public slide. Although mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for president in 2008, Rice says she has never wanted to run for elected office.
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