United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice has sent a letter to President Obama, asking him to remove her name from consideration for Secretary of State.  In the letter to the President, Ambassador Rice wrote, “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 added, “that trade-off is simply not worth it to our country.  The position of Secretary of State should never be politicised.”  President Obama reluctantly accepted her withdrawal and in a statement, said the following,  “I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks.”  Right from the start, Ms Rice was a controversial choice.  Her assessment of the attack in Benghazi was incorrect and highly criticized by Republicans.  What she said in several television interviews days after the September 11 attack, was that the attack was a result of an anti-Islamic film which was clearly not the case.  What made this issue so contentious was the sheer naiveté of her comments.  Considering the proximity to the 9-11 anniversary, it was simply logical to assume that the attack was carried out to celebrate the anniversary of that day.  In addition, with the anti-Islamic film causing protests  and letters from Chris Stevens months earlier, it should have been obvious.  Despite the partisanism, under the circumstances, she probably wasn’t the best choice to replace Hillary Clinton.  South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsay Graham who has been an outspoken critic of Rice said he “respected her decision” and “President Obama has many talented people to choose from to serve as our next secretary of state.” Names mentioned to replaced Rice, are Senator John Kerry and former Republican Senator, Chuck Hagel.  Confirmation, requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate and clearly that wasn’t going to happen.