By Tracy Connor, NBC News
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.
“Today, I made the decision that it was the best thing for our country, for the American people that I not continue to be considered by the president for nomination of secretary of state,” Rice told NBC’s Brian Williams.
“I didn’t want to see a confirmation process that was very prolonged, very politicized, very distracting and very disruptive because there are so many things we need to get done as a country and the first several months of a second term president’s agenda is really the opportunity to get the crucial things done.”
Rice noted that President Obama’s second-term agenda included “comprehensive immigration reform, balanced deficit reduction, job creation.”
She added, “And to the extent that my nomination could have delayed or distracted or deflected or maybe even some of these priorities impossible to achieve, I didn’t want that and I much prefer to keep doing what I’m doing which is a job I love at the United Nations.”
The full interview with Rice will air on tonight’s “Rock Center With Brian Williams” at 10p/9c. Excerpts will also be broadcast on Nightly News at 6:30 pm ET.
Obama said in a statement that he accepted her decision and regretted “the unfair and misleading attacks” on Rice, who was considered a front-runner to replace Hillary Clinton as the nation’s top foreign policy official.
Criticism over remarks
Rice has been under intense fire from Republicans for initially characterizing the Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, as a spur-of-the-moment response to a crude anti-Muslim film.
“What happened in Benghazi was in fact initially a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired hours before in Cairo, almost a copycat of the demonstrations against our facility in Cairo, which were prompted, of course, by the video,” Rice said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” five days after the attack.
“Opportunistic extremist elements came to the consulate as this was unfolding. They came with heavy weapons, which unfortunately are readily available in post-revolutionary Libya, and it escalated into a much more violent episode.”
As more details emerged suggesting it was a premeditated terrorist action, GOP critics accused Rice of misleading the public at the height of the presidential campaign.
She countered that she went with the best information available about the attack, in which Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed.
“I relied solely and squarely on the information provided to me by the intelligence community. I made clear that the information was preliminary and that our investigations would give us the definitive answers,” she said on Nov. 21 at the United Nations.
By then, Obama had already expressed strong support for Rice, warning Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to stop slamming her and vowing to block her confirmation.
“They should go after me,” he said at his first press conference after his re-election.
Despite a series of closed-door meeting with Capitol Hill lawmakers to drum up support, Rice continued to face questions from senators key to her confirmation.
After a Nov. 28 sitdown with Rice, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she couldn’t yet endorse the veteran diplomat and raised a new point of concern: her role in protecting American embassies in Kenya and Nairobi that were bombed by terrorists in 1998.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) suggested Rice was seen as too much of an Obama loyalist and the GOP preferred “someone of independence.”
Attack on critics
In her resignation letter to Obama, Rice took aim at her GOP critics.
“The position of secretary of state should never be politicized,” she wrote.
“As someone who grew up in an era of comparative bipartisanship and as a sitting U.S. national security official who has served in two U.S. Administrations, I’m saddened that we have reached this point, even before you have decided whom to nominate. We cannot afford such an irresponsible distraction from the most pressing issues facing the American people.”
Obama praised Rice as “an extraordinarily capable, patriotic, and passionate public servant.”
“While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first.”
McCain and Graham, among Rice’s loudest critics, said they would continue to press the administration on Benghazi.
“I respect Ambassador Rice’s decision,” Graham said in a statement. “President Obama has many talented people to choose from to serve as our next secretary of state.”
The withdrawal leaves Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) as a possible candidate for the job, and Republicans have said he would have a smoother run.
"I think John Kerry would be an excellent appointment and would be easily confirmed by his colleagues," Collins said last month.
Rice, 48, has been the United States’ permanent representative to the United Nations since 2009, after serving as a senior advisor to the Obama campaign, working at the Brookings Institution and holding other diplomatic and national security positions dating back to 1993.
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Well, having a known liar in that post wouldn't have been a good idea anyway. Best that she revealed her ethical and moral flaws beforehand.
It WAS NOT McLoser that did it, it wash the liberal left env. whacko's because she owns stock in Trans Canada, and she does not want to sell it.!!!! AT least she believes in Capitalism, unlike her commie boss.
Make your opinion count--swear you will never collect Medicare, Social Security, or unemployment insurance if you loose your job!
During the last debate with Gov. Romney, the issue of this being a terrorist attack was confirmed by President Obama by a speech made in the White House with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by his side. Gov. Romney was speechless at that time since the President's words did state "terrorists on Sept.11" most thought it was in 2001 however the President was insistent with the moderator Candy Crowley he was referring to 2012. Why did Susan Rice then go on 5 networks to say otherwise. This issue was a turning point during the debates for the President. Susan lied,end of story.
WOW!
She has bigger balls than her boss!
Terry, her boss wrote that letter
I wonder if Hillary is still stuck under the bus Obama threw her under?
Good!
Choose another liar Obama
Bye, bye, Susan.
NO. I want her made ambassador to Libya.
Ms Rice has done the right thing by withdrawing. She knew full well that what she was saying on the talk shows was not the full truth, and she did her best to mislead although not actually telling an untruth. She played politics while representing a position that one should never play politics with. Otherwise she is a very capable lady who can contribute in many other ways.
Yes, as ambassador to Libya.
Excellently wrote Thistle, its a rare thing to find someone who can see the good and bad , not just one or the other. You should share your mind more often
Republicans SUCK!
Obviously a skill you know much about!
Smartest thing she has done since taking office.
If she could have held up to the Senate confirmation, you know Obama would have nominated her just to spite the GOP. Clearly they knew she would not pass.
That is exactly why she withdrew, she would have had to answer too many tough questions, including who gave her the talking points and lies, she told to the American people!
Appoint Condi, she has the experience and she's not a rich leftist.
Let's see. She told the story 5 days aftervthe attack, yet the intelligence community knew hours after the incident that it was an attack, not a riot. Obama then went on a few days later and also lied about the terrorist attack, saying that it was another reaction to a video, which few had ever heard about prior to the attack. This was definitely a white house political coverup to minimize any negative impact on the election.
The Obama administration is full of lies and corruption, from the history and training of the Chicago extreme leftist groups.
Obama needs to be held accountable.
Says someone who supported a candidate with the most lie-filled campaign ever!
ya know, telling the story AFTER the fact is an insult to any information gathering agency. And even told AFTER the fact , it was still wrong or a lie.
She resigned to make things easier for Obama and it probably was not her idea.
you cant be more right Thestick, the Benghazi attack will taint Obama's image as long as Susan Rice is around. The only way to bury the past here is to remove Susan Rice from the media chopping block.
It’s been brought to the attention by a certain news anchor that the whole reason for the Republicans bashing of Rice was to get John Kerry appointed so that he leaves a vacant seat in the senate, which the Republicans so desperately want! It’s all about political control, not what’s good for the country.
How are the Republicans gonna get Kerry's seat?
With money and lies?
You better check how Mass. Senate vacancies are re-filled.
liar. Anyone who doesn't think so is drowning in kiil-aid. they knew about the al Queda involvement within hours, sent her out to say something different prior to the election, she said ok. she lied. Period.
they will have to find another mass murdering lesbian
I am sad that she decided to do this. This will just embolden these mentally constipated jackasses to continue to harrass anyone that they don't like. She did nothing wrong and those ignorant individuals who say that she did only underscore the fact that they did not bother to read any of the facts put forth. She gave a statement based on the facts that were available at that time. I say it's time we get rid of McCAIN, GRAHAM and several others who have done more damage with their irresponsible statements that Ms. Rice could ever have done.
I'mnotconcernedwhereheis~Bush
"She SAID, from the info she had at THAT MOMENT. MORON"
Obozo, Hillary and the rest of the administration (which included Rice) knew almost immediately that the attack had nothing to do with the video, but was a coordinated terrorist attack. So why go out days later and claim it was all because of the video. She knew it wasn't. she lied. MORON
You have bad info--so stop insisting on more lies.
Sad and I agree with her that the GOP has politicized this too much long before she even could be nominated. This sends the wrong message to the rest of the world and those who wish us harm. Shes a very educated person with extensive diplomatic experience and to be crucified for an interview she was asked to review bullet points given to her covering something that she was not involved with at any level shows how despirit the GOP is to do as much damage to Obama as they can. Yes the american public does need to know what happened but I dont remember these actions with Condelesa did the same thing as SOS under Bush when she stated weapons of mass destruction which never materialized or the multiple embassy attacks and deaths that occurred under her watch. big double standard here. I agree that the GOP is pushing for Kerry because this leaves then a senate seat open in Mass that their senator who just lost relection to Warren could possible take. And only way that happens is they come out of the gate early and attack the Obama highest potential nomination for SOS
Rice did pretty much the same thing that Colin Powell did when he delivered his address supporting the invasion of Iraq. They both followed the party line, and both could have resisted because they had enough clout to pull it off. Instead, they both gave in and became, in essence, exactly what we do not need around the POTUS- yes "men". Be loyal, but speak out when you believe a mistake is being made. We, the people, took the hit in both cases. Powell could have been President.
well, the bullying worked. It is time to clean house. Vote these people out.
The American people deserve to know the truth about Benghazi. Sign the petition at the link below and urge others to do so. Remove the *
http*s://petitions*.whitehouse.gov/*petition/truth-about-bengahzi/*CvqvNtN2?utm_source=wh*.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
that filthy lying bitch has no business being in any kind of office much less secretary of state, bitch should be up on treason charges along with her filthy muslim commie messiah obama and his entire fked up socialist regime
Hate much?
Move to another country, loser