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I suppose many can't get past the outward appearance of being a black female. That trips many up.
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You may be right, but I do not think it is racism it is more a case of conservatism (note that small "C"). When I talk of conservatism, I mean reluctance to make radical changes. This conservatism can be seen on both left and right, Democrat and Republican. A large part of the electorate prefers steadiness to change. For all of our history (for better and worse) presidents have been white males. For many people, having someone who is not white and not male is just too much of a leap into the unknown. I do not believe that any (or at least many) of these people have any racial ill will; they just prefer what they see as the tried and tested.

Condi's problem is that her academic background is not necessarily a good preparation for a political fight. The more reserved, contemplative attitudes that work in academia do not work in the rough and tumble world of political campaigns. Diplomacy can be useful after you have won; it tends to be less useful during the campaign.

Assuming Condi were running (she probably will not), and assuming she were conservative (she probably is) I would have no problem supporting her. Many here seem enthusiastic primarily because she is a black female, and offers some assumed tactical advantage. I am not sure if that attitude is any worse than been against her because of her race and sex.

I think a black president (male of female) could be a tipping point in healing the undercurrent of racial bitterness that still can bubble away in many of our political and social disputes. However, I do not think it should be an explicit goal in choosing a candidate.

I think that our first black president will likely be a conservative, male, Republican (not Keyes, not Powell). Our first female president will be white, liberal and Democrat (not necessarily Hillary). However, if I turn out to be wrong, and our first black and our first female president are the same person, I doubt I, or many here, would have a problem with president Rice.