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Politics

Rice, the popular face within an unpopular administration

By ANITA KUMAR
Published March 10, 2007

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has always occupied a unique place in the Bush administration. Even while being grilled by Congress in January over the troop surge in Iraq, Rice's popularity outside the nation's capital remained nearly double that of her boss.

Since that contentious hearing, the administration has enjoyed several diplomatic achievements that mark a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy away from its go-it-alone hard-line approach.

Last month, Rice helped broker a deal in which North Korea will receive food and fuel in return for shutting down its nuclear facilities. She began hosting informal talks between Palestinians and Israelis.

Last week, she announced that the United States had agreed to join Iran and Syria in talks on Iraq. The first round of talks begins today in Baghdad.

Observers of U.S. foreign policy and Bush's administration cite a litany of reasons for the drastic change including, most important, a failure of the unilateral approach the administration had long advocated. But Rice's growing influence in a changing administration cannot be overlooked.

Now, despite her role advocating for an unpopular war, the woman long admired for who she is - a polished, successful product of the segregated South - is starting to be recognized for what she is doing.

"She has always been more of pragmatist but wasn't able to make her mark before," said Charles Kupchan, an international relations professor at Georgetown University.

Elements of celebrity

Rice, 52, repeatedly makes the lists of the world's most powerful people and the best-dressed. Supporters dubbed "Condistas" devote Web sites to her. Fans can buy T-shirts, bumper stickers, even the Condi Rice classic thong for $13.99.

Now, several groups are trying to draft Rice to run for president, though she has said repeatedly that she has no desire.

"She has the elements that combine to create celebrity," said Stephen Hess, a George Washington University professor who specializes in public affairs and politics.

Hess and others say Rice posses many qualities that make her popular: Articulate, attractive, even a winning smile.

Karlyn Bowman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who studies public opinion, attributes Rice's popularity to who she is, where she came from, what she has become.

Rice, a middle-class child from Birmingham, Ala., rose to prominence as a Russian scholar, Stanford University provost and classic pianist who has played alongside celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

"She didn't get where she is because ... someone handed it to her," said Richard Holt, leader of the group Think Condi.

Pragmatist within

Bush had a nickname for Rice when he first ran for president: Guru.

The two met when Rice was working for Bush's father and the future president was still governor of Texas. They bonded over football and workout routines and Bush came to appreciate her ability to explain foreign policy in simple, nonjudgmental ways.

The result is a unusual relationship, closer than any others seen in recent history in an administration. Rice, who even vacations with the Bushes, spends more time with the president than any other aide, except perhaps his chief of staff.

"She brought to the office something no one else had - complete trust of the president," said Robert Lieber, a Georgetown University professor who has studied the role of the secretary of state.

When Rice was named national security adviser in Bush's first term, some worried she wasn't knowledgeable about the Middle East and other places.

She was not considered the architect of any of Bush's foreign policies in that role but more of a manager, sometimes criticized for poorly conveying information and not working to find consensus.

Rice took a backseat to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell and then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who had well-publicized disagreements on Iraq and other issues. Though she had a role in the faulty intelligence leading to the Iraq war, the blame was placed on others.

Rice has always been seen as one of the most loyal soldiers in Bush's army. Members of Congress repeatedly griped about how she never strayed from being his mouthpiece.

This unilateral approach surprised some. Douglas Foyle, a foreign relations professor at Wesleyan University, said Rice wasn't known that way at Stanford.

"She was known as a person who didn't see things in black and white, and would work more on being diplomatic, someone who sees more nuances," said Foyle, a Stanford graduate who took a class from her.

Room to maneuver

Rice became secretary of state in 2005, but it was last year's election that helped her usher in some of the changes that led to the shift in foreign policy.

The Democrats' sweep of both the House and Senate was a wakeup call to the president that Americans wanted a change.

Bush forced out Rumsfeld and others who supported him and fellow hard-liner Vice President Dick Cheney. For defense secretary, Bush brought in Robert Gates, who shares Rice's more realistic approach.

Those changes, combined with Bush's desire for good news during an unpopular war and achievements to shore up his legacy, have left room for Rice and others to step in.

Some credit Rice with persuading Bush to change his foreign policy tactics. Even those not willing to give her that credit say Bush would not make changes unless Rice was on board.

Virginia Rep. Frank Wolf, the senior Republican on the subcommittee that oversees the State Department, credits both Bush and Rice for the changes.

"I think the administration is right," he said. "It's good that they changed their minds."

Gratitude and grace

At a Senate hearing Feb. 27, Rice received something rare - a few kind words. Even senators critical of her in the past managed to crack a smile when she announced the talks with Syria and Iran.

Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican who recently visited Syria despite the administration's objections, praised Rice.

"I compliment the administration, the president and you, Madam Secretary, for the progress," he said.

Rice, seated at a long table facing more than 20 senators, was gracious in response.

"I want just to thank you and others," she said. "We've listened. And I want you to know that."

Times researcher Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report. Anita Kumar can be reached at akumar@sptimes.com or 202 463-0576.

Fast Facts:

Condoleezza Rice

Born: Nov. 14, 1954, Birmingham, Ala.

Education: Bachelor's, political science, University of Denver, 1974; master of arts, University of Notre Dame, 1975; doctorate, Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver, 1981.

Experience: Secretary of State, 2005-present; national security adviser, 2001-05; Hoover Senior Fellow and professor of political science, Stanford University, 1981-99; provost, Stanford University, 1993-99.

Family: Single.

Source: Associated Press

[Last modified March 10, 2007, 05:47:44]