could she actually have something to hide?

Rice so far has refused to provide testimony under oath to the commission that could possibly resolve the contradictions. Wednesday night, she told reporters, "I would like nothing better in a sense than to be able to go up and do this, but I have a responsibility to maintain what is a long-standing constitutional separation between the executive and the legislative branch."
-- Walter Pincus and Dana Milbank, San Francisco Chronicle

Oh, please, Condi.

You are familiar with the "Checks and Balances" concept? You know, that silly old Constitutional construction?

The "... separation between the executive and legislative branch" is defined precisely for situations such as this. Perhaps you don't understand the nature of the "separation."

The idea is basically this: the Executive branch "executes" the daily requirements of the Nation. The Legislative branch writes, debates the need for and approves new laws; amendment or repeal of old laws; the amendment of the Constitution of the United States; creation of National parks; and the investigation of malfeasance or misbehaviour with all three branches. The Judicial branch is charged with verifying the Constitutional validity of the various laws, statutes, etc. passed by the Congress and signed by the President.

That's an extremely basic version. A lot was left out. However, the Congress is clearly charged with investigating alleged malfeasance or misbehaviour in the other branches of our tripartate system, as well as investigating similar behaviour within its own ranks.

Ms. Rice's statements sound to me like the desperate cries of a defeated individual.