Report: Obama Picks Kerry for Next SOS...

[YvonneCa]

...here:

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/12/15/report-obama-picks-kerry-for-next-secretary-of-state/

Assuming it's true..Congratulations, Mr. Secretary!

[Mass]

1. The source is tenuous. It is probably true, but it is all I hate in journalism.

A reporter (Sneed) having a scoop from sources. For the record, this is the same reporter who said Clinton was favoring Kerry.

[karynnj]

4. If true, the timing makes sense

If true, I suspect the true timeline was that Obama made his decision and gave Rice the chance to withdraw her name. This took some pressure off Obama though there were still many who blamed him for not supporting her more. It also gave Rice a chance to come off well in her statement. (I believe all those who suggest that no one as ambitious as Rice would quit rather than withstand a contentious nomination and that she was quietly pushed to do so.)

[Mass]

6. Who knows? Does it matter?

I am in a bad mood today, sorry, but I see reporters rushing to have something to say in the NewTown tragedy without any regard to consequences and whether it is true or not. I see the same thing here, though the consequences are a lot less important.

F*ck the 24 hours news cycle. I do not always agree with Jon Stewart, but on that, I agree. We have become a voyeuristic culture.

[karynnj]

10. i agree with you on the atrocious coverage

That they even wrote that the brother of the murderer was guilty in their eagerness to have a scoop is disgusting. Especially as the REAL story was the deaths of these young children and school staff.

With the SOS stuff, even this is not properly sourced. They should wait until President Obama officially announces this. Others sources are reporting the HRC fainted and is recovering at home from a concussion. It is not clear this is any better sourced.

[wisteria]

12. I like your time line of events. n/t

[chillfactor]

2. I believe Kerry is an excellent choice....

but I am now very worried about his Senate seat...which was my objection to his nomimation in the first place....

[Mass]

3. The fact people are worried is a good thing as long as it does not freeze people.

It is the certainty that the seat was out of reach for the GOP that led us to lose it in 2010.

So, let's find a candidate who knows how to campaign, and let's hope the same outside forces that were there for Warren will be there.

(Edit: and note to the State Party, proofread your ads. Nothing worse than having an ad with Massachusetts misspelled.

[YvonneCa]

5. Your words: "It is the certainty that the seat was out of reach for the GOP ...

...that led us to lose it in 2010." That mistake won't happen again.

[Blaukraut]

7. People have been floating Ed Markey

He has a 3 million war chest and I think a really good chance of winning a special election against Brown. He also has statewide recognition, which most of our other reps don't have.

[Mass]

8. I would gladly support him

This way, the Senate would not lose an environmentalist. Markey is as good, if not better than Kerry on these issues.

I was lucky to have him as my rep until this summer (moved in 2nd district). I would gladly have him as my senator.

[MBS]

9. without question, it's the best choice for the country

He's without question the most qualified, by temperament, skills, and experience for the job. He will be a first-rate Secretary of State (assuming this report is true).

I hope also that it's the best choice for him. I want him to be in the place where he will have the most scope to influence the country and the world, and I hope that State will provide that for him (but I confess that I'm worried about that issue) .

[YvonneCa]

11. I agree with every word...

...MBS.

[wisteria]

13. ++++++++1

[ginnyinWI]

16. Oh I am sure it is the best choice for him.

He's said many-a-time that the Senate is broken. You can't get anything meaningful done because so many Senators are scared to do anything. This will give him the chance to really do something in his favorite area--that of foreign relations. And he's on a first name basis with so many world leaders already.

[Noisy Democrat]

19. I dearly hope that it's the best for him -- if he takes it

I don't get it, personally. I can't imagine what he'll do with himself in 4 years, when it's over.

[JI7]

15. i guess Hillary isnt afraid of Scott Brown beating her in 2016 when he runs for PResident

after he wins kerry's senate seat. hahhahahahhha

[wisteria]

17. LOL n/t

[Noisy Democrat]

18. I'm feeling very sad about many aspects of this

If this is what Senator Kerry wants, then of course I want him to be happy, and he's earned the position. But I don't get it. He's already in a powerful, prominent position, and as Chair of SFRC, he isn't a mouthpiece for Obama -- he can set his own agenda. And in the Senate, his career can go on a lot longer than just 4 more years. Maybe I don't understand all the advantages of being Secretary of State, but to me it looks as if he's throwing away many years of his career *and* giving up a great deal of independence in exchange for -- I'm not 100% sure what.

Perhaps people who are enthusiastic about seeing him become SoS can enlighten me. But personally, I've been feeling very sad ever since the news broke.

[beachmom]

20. The Senate is dysfunctional.

Kerry's big push to get a climate bill through the Senate failed, and now the House is GOP. He has been great as Chairman of the SFRC but it's limited what he can do since it's a Democratic Administration.

Clearly, Kerry has always had other jobs in mind besides being Senator. He never was like Ted Kennedy in being content staying in that exclusive club.

As SoS he won't just be out there doing diplomacy. He'll also be part of making big policy decisions. Like how do we get out of Afghanistan. Being in Congress is about oversight in terms of foreign policy. Being in the Executive branch in the cabinet is actually carrying out policy.

[JI7]

21. i feel a certain sadness also but more because he has been in the Senate

so long that i would miss him being there.

but concerning what you say about his years of career, remember that he is not very young anymore. i might agree more if he was in his 50s or maybe even early 60s. but he would be 73 when at the end of Obama's presidency. there is also a chance depending on what kind of job he does and where Hillary is that he could maybe serve under her .

[karynnj]

24. I honestly do not think HRC is running

She has said no - and though everyone lies about that, I remember how exhausted and frazzled she was after the primaries in 2008. She then took off for a month and a half. This time she will be 8 years older - at an age where time takes a toll. I think that 4 years out all predictions are on name recognition and no ones is higher than hers.

Assuming she does, I don't think there is anything other than SOS and President that Kerry preferred over Senator. I think he genuinely loved being Senator as a way to help people and move issues. I don't think at 73, he would want a second term as Senator. However, for ANY President, Democrat or Republican, I could see special envoy as a possibility.

[Blaukraut]

22. The way the Senate is these days, JK can do more as SoS

Especially in matters close to his heart. I'm not worried about the quality of his replacement in the Senate, either. As long as it isn't Scott Brown, lol. But MA has nothing BUT good candidates for the job. Ed Markey, Capuano, Patrick, just to name a few. All of them top caliber. Even if Patrick appoints Vicki Kennedy as a seat holder and she accepts, she isn't going to run for a full term, and we could do worse in that time frame.

Finally, John Kerry is 69 years old and I would expect that even if he ran for one more term, it would be his last. Look at it this way: He gets to do something substantial and meaningful, and even have some tangible accomplishments in the next four years, and then he can retire in style and enjoy some more good years with Momma T.

[karynnj]

23. My guess:

- He thinks he can have a behind the scenes influence by being in the inner circle when Presidential fp decisions are made.

- He is exceptional as a diplomat and, though Obama has used him, it could be only when the Senate calendar worked or it was important enough to miss votes. Now, he could be involved in many diplomatic missions.

- Kerry just turned 69 and this would last until he is 73 - assuming everything works out. I suspect that there are any number of things he could and would likely do after SOS. One is to write a book on his foreign policy vision. His vision really is not a clone of every other Democrat - as many are, but something he has thought a life time on. In addition, he has one major influence that no one in power shares - his father. Assuming that he leaves a well regarded SOS, he could influence US policy for decades - maybe getting part of the "turn" he spoke of in 1971. (Not to mention, Vanessa Kerry just showed what could be done outside of government, but well connected.http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/09/18/161381770/a-peace-corps-for-doctors-built-by-a-senators-daughter?ft=1&f=1128 Too bad she is not interested in government - maybe we could get a President Kerry. )

I don't think it is the title and the prestige - though like anyone, they are nice. (For someone who knows that in a fair election, he would have been President - maybe less so.) I don't think it is frustration with the Senate - though God knows there is reason for that. I would also assume from this that Teresa is doing well and is ok with him making this committment.