Republicans may have theoretically killed the messenger, but embattled U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice could rise to higher office via a different route. According to a report from the Associated Press, there is a possibility that Rice could become national security adviser at some point, which would not require Senate confirmation.

Rice withdrew her name from consideration for secretary of state following relentless criticisms from GOP lawmakers of her account of the deadly attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Some senators, like Sen. John McCain, threatened to make the confirmation process a battle royale that could have seriously maligned the start of President Obama's second term.

Obama had expressed confidence in her ability to serve ably as secretary of state and even publically chastised his former opponent McCain for what he viewed as unfair attacks on her. But according to AP, White House support had begun to wane. In addition, Rice had begun to feel that Republicans' criticisms were also taking a toll on her current position.

“In recent weeks, new lines of attack have been raised to malign my character and my career. Even before I was nominated for any new position, a steady drip of manufactured charges painted a wholly false picture of me," she wrote in an opinion piece published on The Washington Post's website late Thursday. "This has interfered increasingly with my work on behalf of the United States at the United Nations and with America’s agenda.”

Rice also said that she has a "great job" and wants to focus on that instead of defending herself against "baseless political attacks."

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