http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1896584,00.html?iid=tsmodule<snip>
And just because members of Bush's inner circle might remain united in their faith that their policies were sound doesn't mean that they agree about who is best positioned to argue their case in public now. In fact, some former Bush Administration officials are relieved Rice spoke up because she does a better job, in their view, of representing the former President's thinking than Cheney. "Condi's view is more nuanced, and it's a more accurate reflection of President Bush's thinking — Cheney's take is his own," says one former Bush official familiar with the internal White House discussions on the CIA's interrogation policies. Even if it weren't more accurate, there is little denying that the always quite popular Rice is a better spokesperson than Cheney.
Rice's friends say she in no way relishes playing a bigger role in the inevitable review of Bush era policies. They add she has no intention of trading rhetorical punches with Cheney, and unlike the former veep, she's unlikely to go on TV to defend Bush's policies. But Rice, who is also a fellow at the Hoover Institution, does have other speaking engagements coming up. And it's a safe bet that as the review of Bush interrogation policies heats up, she will be taking on another role in service of her old boss.