Susan Rice: I’m qualified to become Biden’s secretary of State or Defense
August 21, 2020
Former national security adviser Susan Rice argued that she is qualified to hold a variety of Cabinet-level positions in Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s potential administration, including secretary of State and secretary of Defense.
In an interview with American Urban Radio Networks’ April Ryan released on Friday, Rice also contended she had the requisite experience to become secretary of Homeland Security or director of national intelligence, saying: “Do I have the experience to do those jobs? ... Yes.”
Rice noted that she had already led former President Barack Obama’s National Security Council and served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but she said her involvement in a future administration “is not up to me.”
“This is up to the next president of the United States and the Senate, if these are going to be Senate-confirmed positions,” she said. “So, let’s just hold our horses here. Job one … is we’ve got to get Joe Biden and Kamala Harris elected.”
Rice emphasized that Democrats also must take back the Republican-controlled Senate in the November election, “and then Joe Biden needs to decide what team he wants around him in what constellation.”
Rice was reportedly among the top tier of female candidates under consideration to become Biden’s running mate, a role that ultimately went to California Sen. Kamala Harris. Harris formally accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination on Wednesday at the party’s convention.
Rice’s name is now often mentioned as a likely pick for secretary of State should Biden win office. In 2012, she memorably took herself out of the running to succeed Hillary Clinton atop the State Department amid criticism of the Obama administration’s handling of the terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.
Instead, Obama tapped her to become his national security adviser, a position that does not require Senate approval. Her potential confirmation process for a role in a future Biden administration would face obstacles should Republicans maintain control of the Senate after 2020.
Rice enjoys a familiar working relationship with Biden, her former Obama administration colleague, and she is widely respected within the Democratic Party for her vast knowledge of international politics, diplomatic savvy and extensive executive branch experience.
Rice’s career in public service began on former President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council, where she served from 1993-1997 as director for International Organizations and Peacekeeping, as well as special assistant to the president and senior director for African Affairs.
Clinton then appointed Rice as assistant secretary of State for African Affairs, a role she served in from 1997-2001. Rice served under the next Democratic administration as Obama’s U.N. envoy from 2009-2013, and she went on to become his top national security aide from 2013-2017.
Source: https://www.politico.com/
