My strongest theory is that Morell was at the meeting by Obama's orders, not Rice's "request".....and that he (Morell) was there to make sure that his testimony if he's later under oath in a full-blown investigation meshes with that of (wannabee) Madame Secretary Rice.
These slimy evil-doers leave no rocks unturned. He was there for a purpose, and it wasn't to hold the Madame's hand.
Leni