Susan Rice withdraws from Sec. of State consideration – but is Chuck Hagel in?

Too bad, so sad, buhbye:

United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice on Thursday withdrew her name from consideration to be appointed secretary of state by President Barack Obama.

“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 the president. “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.”

Rice’s chances were damaged after her Sept. 16 appearances on Sunday morning TV shows defending the administration’s handling of the attacks on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

“The position of Secretary of State should never be politicized,” Rice wrote to Obama. “As someone who grew up in the era of comparative bipartisanship and as a sitting U.S. national security official who has served in two U.S. administrations, I am saddened that we have reached this point.”

Cry us all a river, gal. A lot of us are saddened that you and many key members of this administration refused to be up front with the truth about the motivation behind the Benghazi murders and instead chose to blame an American citizen exercising his First Amendment rights rights. A man who will forever have to look over his shoulder due to threats from Islamofascists, thanks in large part to this administration’s disgusting use of him as a scapegoat .

The American people deserve the real story on this, and so do the families of the victims.

And on the same day Rice withdraws, former Senator Chuck Hagel’s (R-NE) name is now front and center as a possible leading contender for state:

Former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel has emerged as the leading candidate to become President Barack Obama’s next secretary of defense and may be nominated as soon as this month, according to two people familiar with the matter.

agel, who served as an enlisted Army infantryman in Vietnam, has passed the vetting process at the White House Counsel’s office, said one of the people. The former Nebraska senator has told associates that he is awaiting final word from the president, said the other person. Both requested anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

Other contenders are Michele Flournoy, former defense undersecretary for policy, and Ashton Carter, deputy defense secretary, administration officials have said.

Obama invited Hagel, 66, to the White House on Dec. 4 to discuss the position with him, according to an administration official. The president hasn’t made a final decision, said another official. Both asked for anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney today declined to comment on whether Obama is considering Hagel, saying only that the two-term onetime lawmaker was widely respected.

I’m not comfortable with this at all, for these reasons and then some. Your thoughts?

9 Responses to "Susan Rice withdraws from Sec. of State consideration – but is Chuck Hagel in?"

arcman46 says:

December 13, 2012 at 6:16 pm

I’m not comfortable with any Republican working in or with this Administration.
bill glass says:

December 13, 2012 at 6:51 pm

The Israelis will be against Hagel, so he’ll probably get the nod.
Drew the Infidel says:

December 13, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Rice’s nomination was doomed not only by her pervasive lies. Her going to Capitol Hill to have a “come to Jesus” meeting to further try to arrogantly waltz three Senators around was like trying to put out a fire by throwing gasoline on it. You think John McCain, who spent several years in the Hanoi Hilton POW camp, was intimidated by her? Guess again.

Hagel as SecDef will be an exact copy of the lousy state of affairs we now have with Panneta. Whatever was the genesis of this idea was stillborn.
Carlos says:

December 14, 2012 at 1:20 am

“As someone who grew up in the era of comparative bipartisanship and as a sitting U.S. national security official who has served in two U.S. administrations, I am saddened that we have reached this point.”

O-O-O-O-kay. And besides this abomination of an Obamanation, to what else could you attribute the drive from “comparative bipartisanship” to the out-and-out hatred the administration dishes up daily, villifying anyone with the temerity to contest anything they say or do, on or off the record? Sounds like you’re on the team you’re dissing there, Toots.
Bob says:

December 14, 2012 at 9:15 am

White House vetting? What the hell is that? Show a CPUSA card and share some toot with barry?
Kate says:

December 14, 2012 at 10:22 am

Consulting the Mayan calendar…..yes, the world can end now. What a bunch of histrionics. You know this will drag out to the end of Obama’s term to complete the “most transparent” administration in history. George Orwell, where are you now?
Tom TB says:

December 14, 2012 at 12:16 pm

How does one “withdraw from consideration”? Where was she on the list (if she was) anyway?
Drew the Infidel says:

December 14, 2012 at 3:47 pm

As pointed out above, not only will the Israelis be opposed to Hagel but the jihadist element will love it. The islamists interpret and misinterpret unremarkable political theater in very creative ways. Based on his record, Iran will think his appointment is a signal we will not use military action to stop their nuclear ambitions.

Though Hagel will continue the bipartisanship at SecDef there is an interesting history. From 1947 to 2006, twenty men have held that office with only half lasting eighteen months or more. Seven were fired outright or allowed to resign gracefully and one committed suicide after serving (Forrestal).
Carlos says:

December 14, 2012 at 7:51 pm

What’s the matter with Hagel? Why is everybody picking on him like he’s Charlie Brown? Everyone knows that the Dems are superstrong on defense, and Hagel is the leader of those hawks most defensive about defense.

Why, if I didn’t know any better I’d think some of y’all out there think Hagel is little more than an sub-par-intelligence with a string of kelp for a backbone who doesn’t even understand what the DoD is for, let alone how to run it for the protection and betterment of our country.

Honestly, you’d think the guy was a loser or something, the way y’all are talking ’bout him! What better person to fit precisely into the mosaic of destruction Zero has been so patiently building? And after Obhammed received just over 50% of the votes last month, it’s obvious most losers in this country that are dependent on the guvmint for their monthly moneycrack want to see that happen! Just as long as the moneycrack keeps coming, anyway.

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