Susan Rice drops out of consideration for Secretary of State saying that partisan politics are to blame

Susan Rice has officially dropped out of contention for the next secretary of state, saying that the continued partisan debate prompted her stop fighting for the post.

'If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and inteational priorities,' she said in a statement obtained by NBC News.

A number of Republican senators- notably John McCain from Arizona- opposed her likely nomination because of her role in the administration's handling of the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi.

'That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country...Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time,' she wrote in the letter.

Rice had never officially been nominated to the position, which needs to be filled after Hillary Clinton steps down in January.

Rice's role as the United Nations ambassador made her the presumed candidate for the job, and President Obama's close relationship with her all but sealed the certainty for her nomination.

'Today, I spoke to Ambassador Susan Rice, and accepted her decision to remove her name from consideration for Secretary of State,' President Obama said in a statement released Thursday afteoon. 

'While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first.

Supporting his choice: During his first press conference after the election, President Obama stood up for Susan Rice saying that should he nominate her for State, she should be confirmed because of her credentials

'I am grateful that Susan will continue to serve as our Ambassador at the United Nations and a key member of my cabinet and national security team, carrying her work forward on all of these and other issues.'

The news that she has recused herself from the position means that it is all but certain that Senator John Kerry, the former Democratic presidential nominee and current Massachusetts senator who heads the Foreign Relations committee, will be tapped for the role.

Rice came under fire because she touted information about the attack in Libya that ended up being false during an appearance on a Sunday talk show. A number of key Republicans, including McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham, have made repeated claims that they feel she was responsible in a form of a cover up over the attack which left four Americans dead, and they were going to do all in their power to stop any potential nomination.

The political back-and-forth started just days after the election, and the President addressed the issue during the first press conference of his second term.

'If Senator McCain and Senator Graham, and others want to go after somebody? They should go after me. And I’m happy to have that discussion with them,' he said.

'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.'