NBC News has the exclusive:
Embattled U.N. envoy Susan Rice is dropping out of the running to be the next secretary of state after months of criticism over her Benghazi comments, she told NBC News on Thursday.
“If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama, saying she’s saddened by the partisan politics surrounding her prospects.
“That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country…Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time,” she wrote in the letter obtained by NBC News.
John McCain’s decision to join the Foreign Relations Committee may have been the final push. Even if Rice was able to get through the Senate, the confirmation hearings would have been highly contentious and Benghazi-focused, which the White House has good reason to want to avoid.
And now the ballooning speculation that Chuck Hagel is at the top of the list for secretary of defense makes more sense. If Rice was nominated to lead State, Kerry would probably have been the top contender for Defense. Now Kerry is the most likely choice for secretary of state.
I still think Hagel would have problems getting confirmed because of his anti-Israel history and opposition to foreign intervention. The fact that he’s a former senator works in his favor, but conservative hawks and AIPAC would certainly object. While Hagel still considers himself a Republican, there is sure to be some bad blood between him and the party after his vocal support of Obama and recent endorsement of a Democratic Senate candidate.
Either way, Scott Brown may want to start prepping for another Senate bid, because it sounds like there’s going to be a vacant seat in Massachusetts soon.
I cannot think of a worse choice for Sec. of Defense than Chuck Hagel. Except maybe Kerry. The idea being floated that Hagel would be a slam-dunk pick or somehow a nod to bi-partisanship is ludicrous.
I think Kerry going to the Obama administration is a good thing because I think that Scott Brown can again be senator. Also, I am tired of Susan Rice she lied on the Benghazi thing, this things needs to be settle once and for all.
She would be questioned under oath, Benghazi would be the first questions. This administration is keeping the lid on this as long as they can.
exactly
I have a different take — MA Governor Deval Patrick is a personal friend of Obama, and he has to run for re-election in 2014 if he wants to go for a 3rd term — which I believe he is allowed to do. If Scott Brown is back in the Senate, then he won't be on the ground in MA where he could well build up a campaign that could defeat Patrick, right now he really is the only credible Republican with a chance to win back the "Corner Office." n nJohn Kerry would have had a tough confirmation battle for Sec of State because of his anti Vietnam stuff, but now that the battle has been fought on Rice, it might be a whole lot harder to defeat the 2nd choice without appearing to be partisan and such. Even if Kerry was to be nominated for Sec of Defense, veterans would be p*****, but after you already have fired your heavy guns at Rice, can you then reload and fire at Kerry without appearing to be a loose cannon?
For four years Susan Rice as NUTJOB fu2721cked USA and turned America to a laughingstock of the UN for Israel to please AIPAC whores of the House and the Senate. Guess what she got from Israel instead. A kick in her buttock. That’s what Ho Nu2721gga gets when busted. John McCain was vigilant to exploit Benghazi Rhetoric to stop Susan Rice upgrade. The deranged Israelifirster Alana Goodman was so dumb to learn that Susan Rice upgrade to State Secretary is better for Israel than John Kerry. Israel’s worst nightmare is the anti-Israel Hulk Chuck Hagel who nominated for Defense Secretary Post. It will be amusing to revisit this clever conversation later as Israel childish advance begin to lose everything.
please remove the comment from that clotwad.
Cry Auschwitz Dachau Birkenau n
whatever does that have to do with your mother not being decent enough to teach you not to call people " Ho Nu2721gga". n nwas she in the business?
Go back to Nigeria Zionazi Bleached Nu2721gga or I call the goood ol’ “DD” David Duke the Grand Wizard of Knights of KU-KLUX-KLAN to skew your USDA-Subsidized-Kibbutz-FATASS on Kerosene Flame; lynch you from your Hasidic Magein David Reeky Rectum on Fiery Cross. The goood ol! “DD” will Barbeque you for free. It’s “DD” Obsession to Relief USA from All-Time-Liability State of Israel and the CHOSEN ONES who murdered JESUS. Better watch-out Menajahtwa Muthafukahuh! Taliban got your IP+GPS coordinates now. They’re too glad to turn you to Toothpicks & Chopsticks and put your picture in Yad Vashem
yup, that;s right . I killed Jesus…..and if that little sitzpinkler comes back, I'm gonna kill him again. n nyou're not at all crazy and there's no reason that you're filthy bigoted comments shouldn't appear here. n nand please, have your mom treated for that tertiary-stage syphilitic condition that she's transmitted both to yourself and other livestock
Well Kerry the Spineless Functionary who's no more than a mouthpiece for Obama seems the logical choice.