Articles written by ben feller, julie pace,associated press

BEN FELLER, JULIE PACE,Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Susan Rice, the embattled U.N. ambassador, abruptly withdrew from consideration to be the next secretary of state on Thursday after an ugly standoff with Republican senators who declared they would vigorously oppose her nomination. The move elevates Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as the likely choice to be the nation's next top diplomat when Hillary Rodham Clinton departs soon. AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File UN Ambassador Susan Rice is seen leaving a meeting on Capitol Hill on Nov. 28. Rice has withdrawn from c... Full story