Susan Rice “… at this time”

The “tell” from Susan Rice’s letter to President Obama withdrawing from consideration as the likely Secretary of State were the words “… at this time.”

I’m almost certain that President Obama will appoint her, but not until the senate is in recess, allowing for a “recess appointment.” While the senate must still confirm her, it can take up to a year or so to do it. A year is a long, long time in Washington and they will be moving on to new battles, having long forgotten this brouhaha. Politics as usual. Theater.

It’s possible that retiring Senator Lieberman, or another prominent senator will do the president a favor, accept the nomination to replace Hillary Clinton, and then step aside at the right moment in exchange for the president doing him a favor. We’ll see.