Someone who has watched her closely called her "the photo-op secretary of state who chased illusions and worked hard at it." This person, who asked not to be identified, said "ninety percent of her events don't produce anything." The official was referring to Rice's efforts regarding Iran, North Korea and the Middle East peace process. That may be a particularly harsh view but others asked to sum up Rice's tenure were not overly kind.

A senior foreign policy analyst who has known Rice for many years and who thought she would be really good in this job, is disappointed. "There is no purposefulness to her efforts. There is no follow up," he says. "She is very talented, highly driven, but there is no follow through." Rice and her supporters of course disagree with such assessments.