By Kathy Wray Coleman, Publisher, Editor-n-Chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black Newspaper
WASHINGTON, D.C.-In a letter today to President Barack Obama U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice withdrew her name for consideration for United States secretary of state following criticism by Republican lawmakers of her comments on Islam and her description of the Sept 11 attacks on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya which left four dead, including U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens.
"I am highly honored to be considered by you for appointment of secretary of state and I am fully confident that I could serve our country ably and effectively in that role," wrote Rice in the one page letter to the president. "However, if nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly to you and our most pressing national and international priorities. Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time."
A Democrat, Obama accepted Rice's withdrawal of consideration of candidacy but complimented her for what he called exemplary service as a public servant. He said that he appreciates that she will remain as ambassador and the president was critical of the attack on Rice by congressional Republicans.
"For two decades Susan has proven to be an extraordinarily capable, patriotic and public servant," said Obama in a press release. "While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character and her admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first. The American people can be proud to have a public servant of her caliber and character representing our country."
A Brookings Institute fellow and former assistant secretary of state for African Affairs during President Bill Clinton's second term, had Rice, 48, been nominated by the president to replace current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and subsequently confirmed by Congress, which Republican lawmakers said would likely have been an uphill battle, she would have been the first Black Democrat, third Black and the second Black female to win the post behind Republicans Colin Powell and Condolezza Rice, both confirmed during the presidency of George W. Bush, also a Republican.
Clinton, who has said that she will stay on until a replacement is confirmed, has acknowledged that the attacks on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi were part of a broader terrorism effort by al-Quaida in the Islamic Magreb working in cooperation with other extremist groups .
Rice came under fire after she publicly blamed the massacre on a mob and said that the Internet video "Innocence of Muslims" inflamed the attacks, comments that insulted the prophet Muhammad of Islam, who is believed by Muslims and Bahais to be a messenger and prophet of God, and "the last prophet of God sent by mankind."
Rice was confirmed as ambassador to the United Nations in 2009 and is the first African-American to hold the post.
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