Bright people often lack common sense
And sometimes smart people will stand behind people they trust if they have the same religion in common. I'm not not knocking Ms. Rice. I know she's a brilliant woman. But she's a "yes" woman with a notion that her keepers are right.
I suppose this is nothing new either. But I don't trust her judgement anymore, but she's bound to be a good player on the international scene and for that I am grateful.