Probably in English she would have said guts.”
IMO, guts, spineless, etc. are overused and have lost their impact! She chose the one word that totally fits the person, occasion and situation and there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind as to the point she was making.
Folks, putting all this arguing aside, did you read this?
http://blendzpolitik.blogspot.com/2010/07/white-house-ramps-up-damage-control.html
While I am not surprised, it makes my hair stand on end.