A growing number of Republican senators are expressing skepticism about the possibility President Barack Obama could pick Susan Rice to replace Hilary Clinton as secretary of state for his second term.
Rice, currently the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is considered a leading contender to replace Clinton in the Obama administration. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is one of several members of his party in the Senate who have signaled opposition to the prospect of Rice being nominated for the role over remarks she made about the recent attack in Libya that resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
During an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday, McCain said, "Susan Rice should have known better, and if she didn't know better, she's not qualified," adding, "I will do everything in my power to block her from being the United States secretary of state."
He continued, "She has proven that she either doesn't understand or she is not willing to accept evidence on its face. There is no doubt five days later what this attack was and for."
In September, Rice connected the Benghazi attack to a controversial anti-Muslim video, rather than regarding the fatal incident as a premeditated act of terrorism.
"How could we, knowing that our intelligence officials in Libya in real time while the event was taking place were letting our folks know back here that this was a terrorist attack -- it's beyond me that we would be out publicly talking about the event in that way," Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said on Tuesday, according to Foreign Policy. "It's beyond belief."
Foreign Policy reports:
Rice has explained that her comments were based on the intelligence community assessment at the time, but Corker said that is contradicted by the acknowledgment of senior officials that there was real-time reporting during the attack that clearly identified it as a terrorist attack, with no protest beforehand.
"I'm concerned about the fact that she went on Sunday shows and said it was the product of a spontaneous uprising as opposed to a terrorist attack," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said on the matter, the Associated Press reports. "Why did they wait so long to publicly ... change their position on it? I think she'd have to answer questions about that, no doubt about it."
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said during an appearance on CBS over the weekend, "I think Susan Rice would have an incredibly difficult time to get through the Senate," explaining, "I would not vote for her unless there's a tremendous opening up the information explaining herself in a way she has not yet done." He added, "I'm not going to promote somebody who I think has misled the country or is either incompetent."
On Wednesday the South Carolina senator said that he is "dead set against" the idea of Rice being the next secretary of state. He explained, "She is so disconnected from reality that I don't trust her."
NewsOK reports that Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said "a poor record of leadership, management and judgment lead [him] to oppose Susan Rice as a possible nominee for the State Department."
Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) told The Hill that "obviously, there's concern" about the possibility of Rice being tapped to serve as secretary of state. He explained, "And so before I jump, I want to do more examination."
The Los Angeles Times reports:
Administration officials said that Rice, a pillar of Obama's foreign policy team since the 2008 election campaign, was a leading candidate for the post, and that they would not be deterred by Republican warnings. Officials and some others familiar with the process predicted that the GOP would eventually end its resistance to Rice because it would become clear that her disputed comments after the attack were prepared by other U.S. officials for her appearances on Sept. 16 talk shows.
According to the Times, outgoing GOP Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona characterized Rice as "tainted" by her involvement in the White House's response to the Sept. 11 Libya attack. He suggested Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) -- the other leading candidate to replace Clinton -- would be a better choice.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who expressed opposition to a potential Rice nomination to Foreign Policy, predicted that Kerry would survive the Senate confirmation process should he be picked to replace Clinton, according to The Hill.
Also on HuffPost:
Robert Byrd (D-W.V.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1959 to June 28, 2010 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 51 years, 5 months, 26 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.V., appears at a Senate hearing on May 9, 2007 in Washington. He died on June 28, 2010 at the age of 92. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)
Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1963 to present <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) speaks at a May 18, 2011 hearing in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Dec. 14, 1954 to April 4, 1956 and Nov 7, 1956 to Jan 3, 2003 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 47 years, 5 months, 8 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Senator Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., pictured on May 22, 1997. He died on June 26, 2003 at the age of 100. (STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP/Getty Images)
Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Nov. 7, 1962 to Aug. 25, 2009 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 46 years, 9 months, 19 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) speaks during a Jan. 21, 2007 taping of NBC's "Meet the Press." He died on Aug. 25, 2009 at the age of 77. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Carl Hayden (D-Ariz.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> March 4, 1927 to Jan. 3, 1969 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 41 years, 9 months, 30 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> President Lyndon Johnson presents a pen to Sen. Carl Hayden, D-Ariz., on September 30, 1968 in Washington. Hayden died on Jan. 25, 1972 at the age of 94. (AP Photo)
John Stennis (D-Miss.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Nov. 5, 1947 to Jan. 2, 1989 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 41 years, 1 month, 29 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> John Stennis, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, speaks on the July 6, 1969 edition of ABC's "Issues and Answers." Stennis died on April 23, 1995 at the age of 93. (AP Photo)
Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Dec. 24, 1968 to Jan. 2, 2009 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 40 years, 10 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> In this Tuesday, April 7, 2009 file photo, former Sen. Ted Stevens arrives at federal court in Washington. Stevens died in a plane crash on Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 at the age of 86. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)
Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Nov. 9, 1966 to Jan. 2, 2005 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 38 years, 1 month, 25 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., appears at a Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 7, 1983. He ran for the 1984 Democratic presidential nomination, but lost out to Vice President Walter Mondale. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Richard Russell (D-Ga.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 12, 1933 to Jan. 21, 1971 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 38 years, 19 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Richard Russell (D-Ga.), shown from his Senate office desk in Washington on July 14, 1942. Russell died on Jan. 21, 1971 at age 73. (AP Photo/Eugene Abbott)
Russell Long (D-La.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Dec. 31, 1948 to Jan. 2, 1987 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 38 years, 3 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Russell Long, shown at his desk in Baton Rouge, La., on Feb. 21, 1948. Long died on May 9, 2003 at age 84. (AP Photo)
Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1975 to present <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., stands in front of the U.S. Capitol building on Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Francis Warren (R-Wyo.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Nov. 18, 1890 to March 3, 1893 and March 4, 1895 to Nov. 24, 1929 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 37 years, 4 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
James Eastland (D-Miss.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> June 30, 1941 to Sept. 28, 1941 and Jan. 3, 1943 to Dec. 27, 1978 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 36 years, 2 months, 24 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. James O. Eastland of Mississippi, is shown in Washington on March 25, 1971. Eastland died on Feb. 19, 1986 at age 81. (AP Photo / Charles Tasnadi)
Warren Magnuson (D-Wash.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Dec. 14, 1944 to Jan. 2, 1981 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 36 years, 20 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Then-Rep. Warren Magnuson (D-Wash.) smiles in his Washington office on Oct. 19, 1943. Magnuson died on May 20, 1989 at the age of 84. (AP Photo)
Joe Biden (D-Del.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1973 to Jan. 15, 2009 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 36 years, 13 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Democratic vice presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) speaks at a rally in support of then-Democratic presidential nomineee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) on October 12, 2008 in Scranton, Pa. (Photo by Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)
Pete Domenici (R-N.M.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1973 to Jan. 2, 2009 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 36 years <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> U.S. Republican Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) listens during the announcement of the America Competes Act on March 5, 2007 in Washington. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1961 to Jan. 2, 1997 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 36 years <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, D-R.I., announces on Sept. 5, 1995 that he would not seek a seventh term in office. Pell died on Jan. 1, 2009 at age 90. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Kenneth McKellar (D-Tenn.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> March 4, 1917 to Jan. 2, 1953 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 35 years, 10 months <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Kenneth McKellar (D-Tenn) left, and James M. Landis, OCD director meet on Feb. 27, 1942. McKellar died on Oct. 25, 1957 at age 88. (AP Photo)
Milton Young (R-N.D.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> March 12, 1945 to Jan. 2, 1981 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 35 years, 9 months, 22 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, left, chats to Senator John L. McClellan (D-Ark.), center, and Senator Milton Young (R-N.D.), at the White House in Washington, March 24, 1975. Young died on May 31, 1983 at the age of 85. (AP Photo)
Ellison Smith (D-S.C.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> March 4, 1909 to Nov. 17, 1944 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 35 years, 8 months, 13 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Ellison Smith (left) meets with Secretary of Agriculture, Henry Wallace (right) on Jan. 18, 1934 in Washington. Smith died on Nov. 17, 1944 at age 80. (AP Photo)
Allen Ellender (D-La.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1937 to July 27, 1972 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 35 years, 6 months, 24 days <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Allen Ellender, D-La., bids goodbye to Mrs. Ladybird Johnson after a gumbo luncheon at the Capitol on August 21, 1964. Ellender died on July 27, 1972 at age 81. (AP Photo)
William Boyd Allison (R-Iowa)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> March 4, 1873 to Aug. 4, 1908 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 35 years, 5 months <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a>
Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan 3. 1977 to present <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) heads to a weekly policy meeting at the Capitol on March 20, 2012 in Washington. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
Richard Lugar (R-Ind.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan 3. 1977 to present <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> Sen. Richard Lugar attends a courtesy call to the Malacanang Palace in Manila on October 29, 2012. (NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images)
John McClellan (D-Ark.)
<strong>Dates of service:</strong> Jan. 3, 1943 to Nov. 28, 1977 <strong>Years of service:</strong> 34 years, 11 months <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm">United States Senate</a> A portrait of John McClellan, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1935-38 and served in the Senate from 1943 until his death in 1977. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
No comments:
Post a Comment