Obama's new security adviser a Republican target
Source: Agencies |
June 6, 2013, Thursday
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PRESIDENT Barack Obama's top national security adviser is resigning and will be replaced by Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN who has been a lightning rod for Republican criticism over faulty explanations for the attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya.
Tom Donilon has been a key foreign policy adviser to President Barack Obama. But the 58-year-old had been expected to depart sometime this year, with Rice seen as the likely candidate to replace him.
Rice, who first started working for Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, has a close relationship with the president and many of his advisers. She's known for being outspoken on human rights issues and also pushed for a more interventionist strategy in Libya.
Rice came under withering criticism from Republicans as part of the investigations into the deadly attack on a US compound in Benghazi. Relying on talking points from the intelligence community, Rice said in television interviews that the attacks were likely spontaneous, which was later proven incorrect.
Obama considered nominating Rice as his second-term secretary of state, but she withdrew amid the Republican criticism, saying she didn't want her confirmation fight to be a distraction for the White House. The president nominated John Kerry, who easily won confirmation from former Senate colleagues. Rice's selection was greeted by a muted response from some Republicans who had earlier accused her of being part of an administration cover-up in the Benghazi attacks.
Senator John McCain, one of Rice's harshest critics, wrote on Twitter yesterday that he disagreed with her appointment but would "make every effort" to work with her. And Senator Bob Corker, the top Republican on the foreign relations committee, said he had spoken with Rice and looked forward "to working with her on shaping important foreign policy and national security issues."
Rice's new post as national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation. Obama will also name Samantha Power, a human rights expert and former White House adviser, to replace Rice at the United Nations.
Donilon has overseen a foreign policy agenda that put increased emphasis on the US relationship with Asia.
Tom Donilon has been a key foreign policy adviser to President Barack Obama. But the 58-year-old had been expected to depart sometime this year, with Rice seen as the likely candidate to replace him.
Rice, who first started working for Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, has a close relationship with the president and many of his advisers. She's known for being outspoken on human rights issues and also pushed for a more interventionist strategy in Libya.
Rice came under withering criticism from Republicans as part of the investigations into the deadly attack on a US compound in Benghazi. Relying on talking points from the intelligence community, Rice said in television interviews that the attacks were likely spontaneous, which was later proven incorrect.
Obama considered nominating Rice as his second-term secretary of state, but she withdrew amid the Republican criticism, saying she didn't want her confirmation fight to be a distraction for the White House. The president nominated John Kerry, who easily won confirmation from former Senate colleagues. Rice's selection was greeted by a muted response from some Republicans who had earlier accused her of being part of an administration cover-up in the Benghazi attacks.
Senator John McCain, one of Rice's harshest critics, wrote on Twitter yesterday that he disagreed with her appointment but would "make every effort" to work with her. And Senator Bob Corker, the top Republican on the foreign relations committee, said he had spoken with Rice and looked forward "to working with her on shaping important foreign policy and national security issues."
Rice's new post as national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation. Obama will also name Samantha Power, a human rights expert and former White House adviser, to replace Rice at the United Nations.
Donilon has overseen a foreign policy agenda that put increased emphasis on the US relationship with Asia.
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