WASHINGTON (AP) - Susan Rice, the embattled U.N. ambassador, abruptly withdrew from consideration to be the next secretary of state on Thursday after an ugly standoff with Republican senators who declared they would vigorously oppose her nomination.
The move elevates Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as the likely choice to be the nation's next top diplomat when Hillary Rodham Clinton departs soon.
President Barack Obama accepted Rice's decision with a shot at Republicans.
"While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character," he said.
Rice had become the public face of the tangled administration description of what happened in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 of this year when four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, were killed in what is now known to have been a terrorist attack.
Rice withdrew her name in a letter to the president, saying she was convinced the confirmation process would be "lengthy, disruptive and costly - to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities."
"That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country," Rice said.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:11:56 GMT
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:07:04 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire on the city's East side. Firefighters were called to a home on Thurston Street between Woodville Road and Starr Avenue just after four this morning. There
Toledo firefighters battled flames at two homes on Toledo's East side Tuesday morning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:23:10 GMT
A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:18:47 GMT
For some people in Northwest Ohio, the image of a massive tornado is something they only see on TV. But Allan Detrich puts himself directly in their path."Seeing the storms out in the plains, they're
A local man remembers being in Oklahoma City in 1999, when a massive tornado ravaged the city. Allan Detrich of Fremont says the area was devastated and Monday's tornado reminds him of what happened some 14 years ago.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:15:43 GMT
Thousands of shipwrecks rest close to home and some local divers are on a mission to discover them. The weather on Lake Erie can be violent at times without much warning. Darkness, fog, wind and waves
Local divers are on a search to discover some of the thousands of shipwrecks on the bottom of Lake Erie.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:44:13 GMT
Toledo Police have shut down southbound I-75 between Anthony Wayne Trail and South due to a serious accident. We're told it is a rollover crash. At least one man was seriously injured when he was ejected
I-75 remains closed between Anthony Wayne Trail and South as of 7:30 p.m. Monday evening after a serious accident.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:37 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:37:02 GMT
Portions of Moore, Oklahoma were ravaged by a mile-wide tornado this Monday afternoon. This follows a near-record quiet start to tornado season. Strong storms may reach northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by Tuesday.
Portions of Moore, Oklahoma were ravaged by a mile-wide tornado this Monday afternoon. This follows a near-record quiet start to tornado season. Strong storms may reach northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by Tuesday.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:14 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:14:35 GMT
Severe weather is sweeping areas of the plains states. At least one person is dead and more storms are on the way today. ISOH/IMPACT is preparing to help those affected by the spring storms in Texas
A large tornado roared through the southern part of Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma Monday afternoon. Damage is extensive. Video showed blocks of flattened homes and vehicles tossed upside down.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:41:39 GMT
The warmer weather bring out all of the bugs. Today begins the Toledo Area Sanitary District's battle with mosquitos. Both rainfall and temperature play a role in how many mosquitos we'll have this
The Toledo Area Sanitary District has started mosquito control. Monday evening marks the first day of light trapping. Biologists trap mosquitos and then study the numbers and types throughout the county. Free backyard sprays begin this week and neighborhood fogging starts in June. Log on to 13abc.com for details.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTVG. All Rights Reserved.
