Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew her name from the U.S. secretary of state race Thursday. Rice withdrew due to Republican criticism of her record and to avoid a lengthy, costly and disruptive Senate confirmation battle, Reuters reported. 

“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,” she wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama. 

Rice also said she could have done the job “ably and effectively.”

Obama issued a statement saying he accepted Rice’s decision and is grateful she will continue her work as U.S. ambassador, Reuters reported. In the same statement, Obama critized the “unfair and misleading attacks” on her by Senate Republicans and others over the Benghazi attacks, USA Today reported. 

From Reuters: 

Rice has faced questions about comments she made days after the September 11 assault on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, when the Obama administration said the attack was a result of a spontaneous demonstration over a film made in the United States that was insulting to the Prophet Mohammad.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to step down from her position.

 

Read more of Neon Tommy’s coverage on Susan Rice here.

Reach Executive Producer Agnus Dei Farrant here.