Condi Rice's OTHER husband is prompt, too

On the plane trip from Washington, Ms. Rice challenged accusations that the government had responded slowly because many of the victims were black.

"How can that be the case?" Ms. Rice said, according to The Associated Press. "Americans don't want to see Americans suffer."

She added, "Nobody, especially the president, would have left people unattended on the basis of race."

Later, at Pilgrim Rest A.M.E. Zion Church in Whistler, Ala., the Rev. Malone Smith Jr. invited Ms. Rice to say a few words.

"The Lord Jesus Christ is going to come on time," she said, "if we just wait."