WASHINGTON, D.C.  Dec. 14 (DPI) – A day after Susan Rice withdrew herself from consideration as Hilary Clinton’s successor at the US State Department, an op-ed Rice penned in today’s Washington Post confirmed she was the wrong person for the job.

In a commentary headlined “Why I Made the Right Call” Ms. Rice doesn’t hide a self-righteous petulance, as she blamed partisanship for her decision not to pursue the top job at the State Department.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/susan-rice-my-withdrawal-from-secretary-of-state-consideration-was-right-call/2012/12/13/ad69b3fc-4578-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_singlePage.html?tid=obinsite

But even the New York Times, which until today had been cautiously supportive of her likely nomination, pointed out that her brusque and direct manner was far from diplomatic.  The Times, citing confidential sources, reported that Rice unloaded on Chinese officials this week after the latest North Korean missile launch, using the undiplomatic word “ridiculous” in response. And Chinese officials shot back, telling her to “watch her language.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/us/susan-rices-bluntness-endeared-her-to-president.html?hpw

Rice’s failed nomination saw pundits and columnists draw their knives over race and gender. Ruth Marcus of The Post says Rice’s verbal smackdowns play work for men but not for women.