NBC’s Brian Williams is reporting that Susan Rice wrote a letter to the president asking that her name be withdrawn and is saddened by the politicization of her possible nomination as Secretary of State.

President Obama said he would have withdrawn her name sooner, but did not want to back down in the face of all the political attacks. (If I heard that correctly, please let me know if not)

UPDATE: (more at the link)

“If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama, saying she’s saddened by the partisan politics surrounding her prospects.

“That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country…Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time,” she wrote in the letter obtained by NBC News. [...]

“The position of secretary of state should never be politicized,” she wrote, adding, “I’m saddened that we have reached this point, even before you have decided whom to nominate. We cannot afford such an irresponsible distraction from the most pressing issues facing the American people.”

Brian Williams will have an exclusive interview with Rice on tonight’s “Rock Center With Brian Williams” at 10p/9c.