she said-

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday the road for the U.S. in Iraq has been "harder, longer, and more difficult than I personally imagined" and warned that despite some recent progress, success in Iraq is "not a sure thing."

I get the idea she was talking metaphorically as to the road “in getting here” as to her use of “has been”...so frankly I think you may have inadvertently mischaracterized her intent....I don't get continues to be at all...or "a big mess it continues to be"....and yes she added the safety valve “things could still go sideways”….

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"The captain has turned off the `No Dubbing' sign. You are free to speak any language you choose."