Free Republic

EXCERPTS: Rice’s influence flows from her close relationship with Obama. Their ties go back to 2006, when she signed onto his first presidential campaign as a foreign policy advisor. “There is a reason why Obama has an intense loyalty to Susan,” a former NSC staffer said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House politics. “In 2006, she could have easily gone to the Hillary camp. She took a significant career risk by signing on with his campaign. He views her like a sister.”