POLITICS | November 26, 2012, 10:13 p.m. ET
Susan Rice Set to Meet GOP Critics
WASHINGTON—Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is set to meet Tuesday with three Republican senators who have criticized the explanations she gave for the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya. The move could help mend relations on Capitol Hill and smooth the way for Ms. Rice's widely anticipated nomination as secretary of state.
Ms. Rice, who is considered the front-runner to succeed departing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will meet in the morning with Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, aides to the senators said.
President Barack Obama is expected to announce his choice for the post as early as this week. Apart from Ms. Rice, Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.) is considered a top candidate.
Ms. Rice had requested the Tuesday meeting on Capitol Hill, an aide to one of the senators said.
The three lawmakers had appeared at a news conference on Nov. 14 and vowed to block her confirmation as Mrs. Clinton's successor. Mr. McCain said that Republicans should do "whatever is necessary" to withhold confirmation in the event Mr. Obama nominated her.
Ms. Rice will be accompanied by Michael Morell, acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency, according to an Obama administration official. Mr. Morell will be on hand to help answer questions about Ms. Rice's role in explaining the U.S. consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya, which killed four Americans, the official said.
One GOP senate aide said that the Benghazi episode would be "discussed at length."
. |
