WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins, after meeting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice on Wednesday, said she could not support her for secretary of state without more information.
Other Republicans have threatened to block Rice’s nomination if President Barack Obama picks her to replace Hillary Clinton, which would require Senate confirmation. Votes from moderate Republicans such as Collins would be needed to overcome those procedural obstacles.
“I would need to have additional information before I could support her nomination,” Collins told reporters.
The Maine senator said she would support Democrat Sen. John Kerry for secretary of state.
“I think John Kerry would be an excellent appointment and will be easily confirmed by his colleagues,” she said.
It appears that Susan Rice, having lied for her boss, will be difficult to confirm for Secretary of State.
Lied how?
Condi Rice did a hell of a lot of lying for her boss, and Sen Collins had no problem with that.
keep telling yourself that.
You are lying.
What did she lie about?
I must say that i agree with the Senator’s position. There are too many unanswered questions here not only with Ms. Rice’s position but with the whole Bengazi issue. I would prefer Kerry in the role of Sec. of State versus chairman of the defense department.
If Kerry weren’t a Democratic Senator likely to be replaced by his governor with a Republican, you’d be demanding that his nomination to ANY cabinet position be fillibustered.
…
the Republicans would prefer Kerry too. that would open up his Senate seat to Scott Brown.
that seems to be what this is about.
Too bad Susan Collins never demanded any answers about that NON-EXISTENT arsenal of Weapons of mass Destruction in Iraq that over 4,000 soldiers died to “protect” us from!
Not to mention the death of 100,000 or so Iraqi civilians.
But, then, mass murder for money is really what fuels the Republican political coffers.
I wonder if Susan Collins strong support for John Kerry will be critical. Will see. I happen to think Kerry would be a good choice.
So there will be an empty spot in MA and Brown will run. Yuck. Kerry can stay where he is.
I see your concern. But, how do you know Brown would win? Wouldn’t there be a Democrat running against him? (a Democrat to replace Kerry who would not be running if he is chosen as Sec of State?) I do not have a strong preference between Susan Rice and John Kerry, and if I leaned towards Kerry it would be for his vast foreign policy background and work and nothing to do with Rice’s testimony (and the political game being played by Ayotte, Graham and McCain, as that is what it basically is.) I am not saying Rice is not qualified.
I, like you, don’t care for Scott Brown either.
Name a dem that is well known to run against Brown…… especially in a short amt of time.
I don’t think Brown is a shoe- in by any stretch. Warren won against him quite well.
I understand your concerns however.
It’s disappointing to see an old-style Maine Republican engaging in this kind of charade. Olympia Snowe resigned rather than wallow in the mud with Mitch McConnell, and maybe Susan should too, if she can’t do better than this.
Better check your facts about Olympia’s reason for resigning but it sounds good for the progressive view.
What were Olympia’s reasons for resigning?
A quick search of the medianets reveals these search results. Pick a couple and read them.
https://www.google.com/search?q=why+did+Snowe+resign+from+congress%3F+&oq=why+did+Snowe+resign+from+congress%3F+&sugexp=chrome,mod=12&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=why+did+Olympia+Snowe+resign+from+congress%3F&oq=why+did+Olympia+Snowe+resign+from+congress%3F&gs_l=serp.12…1888.8218.1.11216.3.3.0.0.0.0.201.516.0j2j1.3.0.les%3B..0.0…1c.1.D8jxz-TXsog&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=2a345dc0adc14ebe&bpcl=38897761&biw=1265&bih=633
Thanks, I was actually interested in a response by amiyalouise, aka Naran, who has disappeared. I’m aware of what Olympia said when she left. That was kind of you to supply the links.
Yes you tell us why she made that decision……
That commenter sounds very much like a Fox “news” watcher.
Hmm… ya think? They don’t.
“They don’t” what? Think they sound like they watch Fox news? Your comment is unclear.
Think. On their own.
Like what? Tell us what kind of additional information you would like and ask for it. All I’m seeing are these weird and vague statements from Senate Republicans. Rice lied and she’s toxic and whatever else. How did she lie? She relayed the information she was given and that was known at the time.
These Senators know damn well that you don’t immediately know everything and every detail as soon as it happens. This is politics and it’s disgusting. I’m ashamed that our Senator is stooping to this level.
The Washington Post has a good analysis of this Republican witch hunt:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/mccains-claims-about-susan-rices-comments-on-the-libya-attack/2012/11/15/e6590650-2eb1-11e2-beb2-4b4cf5087636_blog.html
It’s all Republicans seem to be good for these days, witch hunts. And holding Congress and the USA hostage by always saying, “NO.”
Mr. Obama’s time to lead on
entitlements Washington Post today
Hi Naran!
She’s too proud of herself to use an “aka”.
Or I should say too full of herself.
Excuse me UN Ambassador Rice read the classified information which said there were no spontaneous protests and it was a terrorist attack as well as the unclassified report. She still went on five news programs before the election to claim Benghazi was “spontaneous” reaction to a video and El Queda was decimated. Check the facts people if you even care about them.
It is insulting to think the administration thinks we are so soft thinking we would swallow anything. You prove it so.
The state dept is doing an investigation and that is where it belongs. She was given information. How about the CIA in all of this? No one is pointing fingers at them. How about Condi Rice and Powell and their false information given in sworn testimony to Congress? Doesn’t that smell? McCain is still stuck in Nam, Graham is a worthless face, and Ayotte…. her few minutes of fame which will get thrown back in her face. You belief is nothing but hypocrisy and so is everyone else who panders to the thought that S. Rice is lying. How about that fiscal cliff huh? Deflect that is all the repubs are doing now.
Ayotte is the worst example of a newbie brown nose.
You got that right. She is from the John Birch Society playbook.
I think Ayotte will stumble early.
But really, who cares? It’s not like we are talking about an attack on our embassy in London or Tokyo. This was an attack on one our consulates in Libya, a nation with no functioning government that is/was awash in arms. One of the more ignorant comments I’ve seen stated the protestors were armed with AK47s. Really? My guess is that it’s rare to find a man there who isn’t armed.
Our embassy and other diplomatic missions had recently opened after being closed for nearly 18 months. Under Ghadaffi, Americans could not move about the country. The situation before the Benghazi attack (whether planned or spontaneous) was “fluid.”
This isn’t some James Bond film. To expect that our nation’s intelligence services know all that is happening in the world is foolish. Mistakes do happen, but more often there just isn’t enough credible information with which to make good assessments.
It is unfortunate that our ambassador was killed, along with three colleagues, and I am sorry for their loss. But does anyone think any of these men went to Libya thinking it was safe?
Agree with all you said. It is a political game in which no one wins.
That’s not the truth.
and you know this how? because Fox News told you so?
I think pipedown is not watching fox.
Huh?
You’re lying.
Most of the Obama supporters swallow anything and everything from the White House, DNC, or any other extreme left wing establishment.
General Collin Powell was handed a sheet of purported evidence that claimed Sadam Hussein was developing WMD., which he read before the UN. Condoleeza Rice and George Bush both received warnings of an imminent terrorist attack on the USA. Rice and Bush disputed it.
Powell is still stunned that he gave that speech especially since it was proclaimed as a piece of valuable intelligence. The portable or mobile WMD gas facilities turned out to be weather balloon launchers. Powell still cringes when the subject is brought up.
Rice and Bush both defended their stance. Rice saying it was unbelievable to think airplanes would be used as bombs. Bush to this day, along with sidekick Cheney, still believe that Hussein was manufacturing WMD.
Senator Collins was unperturbed, despite the horrible damage and casualties we suffered. She never wanted to ask “more questions” as she is determined to do now. The fact that a US Ambassador to the United Nations, not even connected to the CIA., read a statement about the Benghazi raid, which was prepared by the CIA., seems more of a justifiable target to her than the damning actions taken by Bush and his administrators.
Pure far right politics.
I see you have two thumbs down. Probably from people who cannot debate or prove that they believe you are wrong.
DId I miss the article where Collins condemned the terrorists?
Here’s video of Powell at the UN:
http://youtu.be/s54jr7uKnM0
rightyooooo
El Queda – don’t they sell tacos?
I was going to reply about that with a Que pasa, man!
No se.
Oh puhhlleeeeze. She read from a script. I supposed she could have told the President that she really preferred not to get up so early on a Sunday. People who continue to claim that Ms. Rice had any part in the Sunday talk shows other than to say what was approved by the “intelligence” agencies exhibit their inability to understand how the world works.
What is political is those supporting Rice.
The truth was known within hours and the administration kept repeating the same lie for over a week or more. Even when the public knew the truth Rice stay with the video bull. Even Hillary can’t take it anymore.
Are you with the White House?
I have never voted for Collins, and now I never will. She had her chance to ask questions and couldn’t even take advantage of that unprecedented opportunity. It is time to find a better representative. I swear there are thousands of people in this state who could have spent a half hour with Ms. Rice and gotten their questions answered.
warmonger McCain needs a war. Plain and simple. He still wants us to get involved in Syria.
That’s it Susan. You’ve chosen the lowest of the low roads on this and I really thought you knew better.
Completely disgusting.
I’ll never vote for you again.
Voted for Olmpia yes. Ever voted for Collins nope and never will.
If you knew about her real background you would not have voted for her in the first place. Have you heard of the term – dead wood, well she is as bright as dead wood. One day she is a secretary in training and the next day they ask for volunteers to run for the Senate and a joker raised her arm and that is how she was chosen. don’t believe me, that just proves how well a candidate is clear for a position, for another example Bobble Head Bush – he was the school cheer leader and look what you ended up with with him, same with little Sue Collins!
Hey.. I’m missing George now.
Take steadier aim.
Good one!
Susan’s got to go!
Refreshing Senator Collins…refreshing. I haven’t voted for you previously but will now!!!
More lying.
So you’re ok with Rice lying through her teeth? Are you kidding me!
She isn’t lying.
Yes, she is and if you watched something besides MSNBC you’d know that.
I don’t watch MSNBC.
There is no coverup.
tell me what Susan Rice’s lie was please.
What could change Susan’s mind? Never heard of a nominee nobody else had heard of.
She can’t yet… she will. You have all the info Susan.
“I think John Kerry would be an excellent appointment and will be easily confirmed by his colleagues,” she said.
Snake in the grass Susie. Bipartisan my $$$. She is following the hard line and just wants to get a repub in MA.
Susan Collins. Just another unprincipled, partisan hack.
A perfect example of who we shouldn’t have representing us in the Senate.
Anyone with any sense of decency would not be hounding Ms. Rice about statements made based on available intelligence. Collins has reached for and attained a new low by going along with her party’s mudslingers. This issue is not important and should not be taking up legislator’s time and hence our money.
GWB sent us to war based on his available “intelligence.” Where was she then? Right by his side! This has cost far more in terms of human life than an attack on an embassy. Give it up. It was a non-issue during the election and should remain so.
The Republicans have to find something. They haven’t been doing so well lately.
Do we really want her wasting our time playing this ridiculous Benghazi charade? The election is over. Mitten lost. Let’s move on already and talk about something that matters.
//////
maybe we just haven’t waited for her to finish her statement.
she talks like an illiterate staggering Tim Sample imo.
For all of you that are for Susan Rice, you are disgusting and have no idea how the world works. How can you defend someone that knew this was not due to a video. This was a clear act of terror and those who can’t see that are blind!
What a ridiculous yet damning orchestration of what life is all about under the Bubble.
Originally a republican wedge designed to wreck the president’s campaign, this statement is now a shoe horn, quickly re-crafted to block nomination of Rice for Hillary Clinton’s job. It also offers the devious republicans a chance to get Scott Brown back into the Senate, by building a case against Rice while praising Sen. John Kerry as being the only plausible and acceptable successor to Clinton.
The phony puzzlement and “many more questions” bit is rich. McCain, Lindsey, and now, even our own Susan Collins, is doing her bit in this nasty little bit of political devilry.
Let’s face it. It doesn’t matter that just resigned CIA director Petraeus backed up what Rice read to the world about Benghazi. For some unfathomable reason the US Ambassador to the United Nations is on the griddle, unable to explain why the CIA and other intelligence big wigs gave her a statement they claimed was God’s honest truth. It’s no different than asking a stoker aboard the Titanic, why the ship hit an iceberg.
Susan Rice can keep answering Collins’ questions and the rest of that fragmented republican party’s questions until the cows come home. No use. The poor women is up a far right dead end street. She has been targeted for removal by the republicans, as they attempt to replace Sen. John Kerry with Massachusetts election loser Scott Brown.
You got it Briney!!!!
She supports Kerry because if appointed it will open up his seat in the senate and allow Scott brown to get back in there. If the people of Massachusetts are smart, they won’t let this happen.
If the people of Massachusetts were smart they would never have elected Scott Brown to the Senate in the first place!
Other possible reasons for Senator Collins’ silly remarks:
She’s up for reelection in 2014 but first needs to weather a primary vote. Can she behave in ways that prevent Sarah Palin from going on Fox News and promoting a Paul LePage for Senate challenge? Maine Republican Chairman Webster has been throwing out claims of fictitious criminal blacks roaming rural Maine to commit voter fraud. Senator Collins stating a distrust of a black woman Democrat seems pretty reasonable to many in her party I expect. Also, Indiana Senator Dick Lugar, who was defeated by a Tea Partier primary challenge is still roaming lame duck senate halls telling others like Collins and Graham to watch out for the same treatment I imagine. (Maybe Dick Lugar wants to be Secretary of State himself. He would have been on a President Romney short list.)
Senator Collins’ friend John McCain got himself in pretty deep doo doo with wild claims about Rice while he skipped a fact-finding meeting. So, he needed some political cover. Collins’ statements take the heat off McCain. Personal favor? He needed a Senator north of the Mason-Dixon Line on his side. Collins gave it to him.
How bizarre, whenever Sen.Collins sides with the democrats, she’s an insightful moderate, thoughtful independent, enlightened, outstanding champion of conscience, representing the will of the people.
Wow! Susan Collins has finally acquired some courage….though it still doesn’t make up for voting for TARP.
The main reason for this whole political farce is what came out of Susan Collins mouth when she said she would support John Kerry for the job. If Kerry becomes Secretary of State his Senate seat comes up for grabs and it would give Scott Brown another shot at a Senate seat.Ya gotta hand it to the righties,if there’s a dirty trick to be played they’ll play it. When Susan collins comes up for re-election she needs to go. She should have been gone a long time ago.
Susan had no trouble confirming Condi Rice after she used intelligence reports to excuse her lies for years about Iraq.
Exactly. McCain too. Warmonger.
egggs actly
Susan, Susan, Susan…getting primaried isn’t going to be your problem, getting ELECTED is !
There are so many good candidates for Sec. of State. Many better and more qualified then Rice. For the good of the Democratic party, Rice should take herself out uf the running.
She puts up a good front but we all know that when it comes time to vote, she’ll fall right into line with the rest of the RINO’s. This woman is such a joke. She vowed when she was campaigning for her first term that, if elected, she would serve just one term. Yea, right. Just like the other inhabitants in the cesspool that is Washington, D.C.
Ms. Collins, kissing tea party butt are we?
And the plot thickens ….. she sure likes Kerry though. LOL The GOP is soooo transparent you can see their collective brain operate. the scary thing is there ain’t much gray matter there, in fact It’s more like watching a fizzy dissolve.
Where was Collins when Bush said Iraq had WMD, when Bush said Saddam was behind 9/11, and when Bush said there was no intelligence that AlQaeda was going to attack. Where was Collins when Bush said the outing of CIA agent Plame would be investigated and it wasn’t?
Collins is just a hack, and a flack for McConnell. Her cred is zero. She should just shut up. Please.
You appear to be suffering from a severe case of Bush Derangement Syndrome. You can stop blaming Bush. It’s B.O.’s mess now.
She was with the majority of Democrats. Silent enablers.
Susan Rice was only doing what she was told: Lie, keep lying and when you’re called on those lies, double down. All to protect a treasonous Commander-in-chief. Thank you Susan Collins for doing the right thing.
once again, because apparently it cannot be overstated. susan collins, who is pretending to be outraged by some meaningless honest misstatements by an under-secretary of state on sunday talk shows, had absolutely no problem with Colin Powell going to the UN and swearing up and down that we had proof Iraq had massive stockpiles of WMDs — a deception that led to a trillion-dollar mistake that left thousands of our soldiers in body bags. i am suprised to see susan collins so partisan and hypocritical.
She wasn’t being partisan & hypocritical when she sided with the democracts. Then she was deemed a true indendent lawmaker, there’s the hypocracy of the left.
Thats nothing new for sue she didnt support the workers at loring AFB when they closed that base