Obama Taps Nuland, of Benghazi Talking Points Fame, For Asst. Secretary of State

Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokeswoman who played a key role in changing the talking points used after the Benghazi attack, has been nominated for the post of Assistant Secretary of State, Politico reports.

Nuland is a career foreign service officer and would have to be confirmed by the Senate for the new position. That could be problematic, considering her role in altering talking points given to U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice.

In confirmation hearings, Republicans would likely grill her over her actions following the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic facilities in Benghazi, Libya, that left Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.

Initial talking points from the CIA stated that an al Qaida-linked group was likely involved and that the event was pre-planned. Among the back-and-forth between agencies and the White House, Nuland said she had "serious concerns" about the talking points, which eventually were edited.

Nuland has served for 30 years under both Republican and Democratic administrations and has long been expected to be nominated for the post. If confirmed, Nuland would be over European and Eurasian affairs.