The comments drew "a very favorable response" from both the president and his top adviser, Innis said. The White House meeting came just days after CORE condemned as "racist" attacks by Democratic senators on Dr. Rice.

Earlier in the day, the CORE chairman said he was "outraged" that Senate Democrats were delaying the would-be secretary of state's confirmation.

"Dr. Rice, in every respect, is fully qualified for this central position,” Roy Innis said. "Her qualifications far surpass the irrelevant reasoning of those who are trying to fracture her character, experience and devotion."

The civil rights leader called on Democratic Party rising star Sen. Barack Obama to rein his colleagues in.

"It is a shame that Senator Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus have been silent on this issue," Innis lamented. "We urge them to step up to the plate and defend Dr. Rice’s honor by cajoling their Democratic colleagues in the Senate to do the right thing."

Editor's note: