BREAKING NEWS:  Ambassador Susan Rice withdraws her name from consideration for US Secretary of State. John McCain and Lindsey Graham have prevailed in a round about way. In a letter to President Obama, she expressed sadness that the process had become tainted by partisan politics.

“If nominated, 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,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama, saying she’s saddened by the partisan politics surrounding her prospects.

“That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country…Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time,” she wrote in the letter obtained by NBC News.

President Obama issued a statement saying he accepts Susan Rice’s decision to remove her name from consideration for the position.

This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.