Washington (CNN) -- At one time, Susan Rice seemed to be on a trajectory that would take her to the secretary of state's office in President Barack Obama's second term. 

But that trajectory changed Thursday when the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations withdrew her name from consideration to succeed current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

In a letter to the president, Rice explained her decision to pull herself out of the running. 

"I am highly honored to be considered by you for appointment as Secretary of State," the letter read. "However, 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. 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." 

A former administration official with knowledge of Rice's decision said this was Rice's decision; the White House did not ask her to stand down. 

Obama said that while he regretted Rice's decision to withdraw he would continue to rely on her advice. 

Rice's path began decades ago with the help of family friend Madeleine Albright, the woman who became the first female secretary of state. 

Benghazi talking points omitted link to al Qaeda 

Albright, while serving under President Bill Clinton, recommended that he tap Rice for a high-level State Department post on African affairs in the late 1990s. 

Albright had previously served with Rice's mother, Lois Rice, on a school board in Washington and watched Rice grow up with her own daughters.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Who served as Secretary of State before Hillary Clinton?
2. Who was a woman headed to be Secretary of State prior to Hillary Clinton?
3. What woman was appointed as Secretary of State before Hillary Clinton?
Q2:
1. Who withdrew from consideration for Secretary of State?
2. Which person pulled herself out of the running to become Secretary of State?
3. What woman dropped herself from consideration to be appointed Secretary of State?
Q3:
1. What President was considering Susan Rice's appointment?
2. What president was considering appointing Susan Rice as Secretary of State?
3. What President was planning on appointing Susan Rice to the position of Secretary of State?
Q4:
1. Did Barack Obama order Susan Rice to stand down?
2. Did the White House ask Susan Rice to stand down?
3. Did Susan Rice drop out at the request of the White House?
Q5:
1. Who did the family of Susan Rice consider to be a close friend?
2. Who was a family friend of Susan Rice?
3. Who is the woman that acted as friend to the family of Susan Rice?
Q6:
1. Who served as the first woman Secretary of State?
2. Who was the first woman to be appointed Secretary of State in the US?
3. Who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State?
Q7:
1. Who was President during Madeleine Albright's tenure?
2. What President did Madeleine Albright serve as Secretary of State?
3. Who was President when Madeleine Albright served as Secretary of State?
Q8:
1. Who is the mother of Susan Rice?
2. What is the name of Susan Rice's mother?
3. How is Susan Rice's mother called?
Q9:
1. Did Lois Rice know Madeleine Albright?
2. Did Lois Rice and Madeleine Albright know each other?
3. Did Susan Rice's mother know Madeleine Albright?
Q10:
1. Where did Susan Rice's mother know Madeleine Albright from?
2. How did Lois Rice know Madeleine Albright?
3. How did Lois Rice and Madeleine Albright know each other?
Q11:
1. Who would Susan Rice have relieved of her duties, had she been appointed?
2. Who would Susan Rice have succeeded had she taken the position of Secretary of State?
3. Who would have finished her tenure as Secretary of State if Susan Rice had accepted the position?
