Obama challenges Susan Rice's detractors. McCain vows filibuster but doesn't have votes yet

Susan Rice can expect intense Senate grilling at her confirmation hearings if
President Obama nominates her to replace Hillary Clinton at the State Department. Opposition to the rumored nomination of U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state sparked a short but vigorous defense of her from President Obama at his press conference Wednesday. And that sparked a response from Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of her key detractors, who, together with Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Sen. John McCain are talking filibuster against Rice if she is nominated. They admitted they don't have the votes yet to pull it off.

Asked by ABC reporter Jonathan Karl about the opposition to Rice, Obama replied:

Well, first of all, I'm not going to comment on various nominations that I'll put forward to fill out my Cabinet for the second term. Those are things that are still being discussed. But let me say specifically about Susan Rice, she has done exemplary work. She has represented the United States and our interests in the United Nations with skill, and professionalism, and toughness, and grace. As I've said before, she made an appearance at the request of the White House in which she gave her best understanding of the intelligence that had been provided to her.

If Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham, and others want to go after somebody? They should go after me. And I'm happy to have that discussion with them. But for them to go after the U.N. ambassador who had nothing to do with Benghazi? And was simply making a presentation based on intelligence that she had received? And to besmirch her reputation is outrageous. And, you know, we're after an election now. [...]

But when they go after the U.N. ambassador, apparently because they think she's an easy target, then they've got a problem with me. And should I choose, if I think that she would be the best person to serve America in the capacity at the State Department, then I will nominate her. That's not a determination that I've made yet.

Graham's response: 'Mr. President, don't think for one minute I don't hold you ultimately responsible for Benghazi."

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