The president stood up for her saying anyone that has a problem with her has a problem with him. Instead there wont be a confrontation because late today ambassador rice took herself out of contention writing the president that shes honored to be considered for the office saying, quote, i am fully confident that i could serve our country ably and effectively in that role. However, if nominated, i am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disrupt ive and costly. That tradeoff is simply not worth it to our country. She said more to abc news. Today i made the decision that it was best for our country, for the American People that i not continue to be considered by the president for secretary of state because i didnt want to see a confirmation process that was very prolonged, very politicized, very distracting and very disruptive because there are so many things we need to get done as a country, and the first several months of a second term president s agenda is real