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FILE - This June 7, 2012 file photo shows U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice listening during a news conference at the UN. Rice has withdrawn from consideration for secretary of state. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
President Barack Obama, in a statement, said he accepted Rice’s decision to remove her name from consideration. Obama decried what he called “unfair and misleading attacks” on Rice in recent weeks.
A person familiar with the deliberations said support has been trending away from Rice for the past few days.
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is perceived internally to be the front-runner for the secretary of state position.
Former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is also seen as the front-runner for Obama’s next defense secretary.
The person familiar with the deliberations requested anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations.