WASHINGTON: Senator John McCain, a vocal opponent of Susan Rice’s possible nomination as Secretary of State, said yesterday that the UN ambassador could change his mind after she explained her statements on the attack on the US mission in Benghazi.
“Sure. She can — I’d give everyone the benefit of explaining their position and the actions that they took,” McCain said on the “Fox News Sunday” programme when asked if Rice could reverse his opposition. “I’d be glad to have the opportunity to discuss these issues with her,” he said.
In what could become the first ugly nomination fight of Democratic President Barack Obama’s second term, Republicans have criticised Rice for appearing on Sunday morning news shows shortly after the September 11 attack in Benghazi that killed four Americans and saying early information suggested it was the result of protests over an anti-Muslim film rather than a premeditated strike.
During the US presidential campaign, supporters of Republican candidate Mitt Romney seized on the issue to attack Obama.
McCain had vowed to oppose any attempt by Obama to put Rice into a position that would require Senate confirmation, as the president prepares to fill anticipated vacancies in his Cabinet.
Rice had said earlier this week she respected McCain and looked forward to having the chance to discuss the Benghazi situation with him. The UN ambassador has objected to contentions that she deliberately misled the public in the wake of the Benghazi attack.
McCain was asked whether Rice could get his vote to be Secretary of State, and responded: “I think she deserves the ability and the opportunity to explain herself and her position, just as she said.”
Another senior Senate Republican, Lindsey Graham, said yesterday that Rice would face “a lot of questions” during any Senate confirmation hearing.
“I don’t believe the video is the reason for this. I don’t believe it was ever the reason for this. That was a political story, not an intel story, and we’re going to hold people accountable,” Graham said on ABC’s “This Week” show.
Many Republicans in the House of Representatives have also blasted Rice over Benghazi.
REUTERS
