During the run-up to the 2008 elections, I was sure Obama would overreach (I was right) and be seen for what he is -- an arrogant hardline race-baiting Socialist with no plan or ability to govern democratically in a free republic -- and consequently thrown out summarily as the Second Coming of Jimmy Carter (I was wrong). I don't think Obama is ready to throw Rice under the bus at the moment mainly because he wants to force his will on Congress (placing her as SecState) and rub the Republicans' face in it. He knows Harry Reid controls the Senate with an even more comfortable margin and the House has no say in the matter.