U.S. President Barack Obama has
challenged lawmakers openly critical of his ambassador to the United Nations
and likely next secretary of state, Susan Rice, to “go after me” instead.
 |
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U.S. President Barack Obama
has challenged lawmakers
openly critical of his
ambassador to the United Nations
and likely next secretary of
state, Susan Rice, to “go after
me” instead. Photo by: The
White House
|
Rice has been the target of criticism
from lawmakers, particularly Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, over her initial remarks about the attack on
the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Rice and several administration
officials have responded to these criticisms, explaining that statements were
based on intelligence available at the time.
Obama took the same line in defending
Rice at a news conference Wednesday (Nov. 14).
“She made an appearance at the request
of the White House in which she gave her best understanding of the intelligence
that had been provided to her. If Senator McCain and Senator Graham and others
want to go after somebody, they should go after me,” Obama told a reporter who asked for comments about the
senators’ threat to block Rice’s confirmation if indeed nominated to replace
Hillary Clinton.
The president added: “I’m happy to
have that discussion with them. But for them to go after the U.N. ambassador,
who had nothing to do with Benghazi, and was simply making a presentation based
on intelligence that she had received, and to besmirch her reputation is
outrageous.”
At the same conference, Obama stressed
that nominations for positions in his cabinet for the next four years are still
in “discussions.” Washington insiders have suggested that Rice will get the
secretary of state nomination, considering her ties with Obama. Further, the
other possible contender for the nomination — Sen. John Kerry — is now
being linked to the Defense secretary position.
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