Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) led a charge by several Democrats during Rice's confirmation hearing for secretary of state to criticize the Bush administration on the war.

"I personally believe that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell this war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth," Boxer told Rice.

Rice, President Bush's national security adviser for four years, shot back that "I never, ever lost respect for the truth."

"It is not my nature. It is not my character," Rice said, glowering back at her accuser. "I would hope we can have this conversation and discuss what happened ... without impugning my credibility or my integrity."