"John Kerry, the Most Progressive Pick ..."

[wisteria]

"Kerry’s race and gender may, counter-intuitively, prove to be a symbolic advantage, allowing him to be the iconoclast in sheep’s clothing. As The Washington Post’s David Ignatius put it, Kerry is “surprisingly willing to challenge conventional wisdom …This unlikely contrarian streak would be an advantage, especially because it’s so well disguised"

http://prospect.org/article/john-kerry-most-progressive-pick-state-department

I just thought this was a well written piece, that contrasted the differences between, Rice, Clinton and Kerry.

I will add that "old" is a subjective state, and simply because the Senator may have a few years on Ms. Rice, doesn't mean he won't bring a fresh approach, and new ideas to the state department, and foreign policy.

[beachmom]

1. Fantastic article.

It also goes along with the Atlantic piece about Obama's former colleagues in the Senate becoming his national security inner circle. Biden, Hagel and Kerry are realists, not interventionists. I still remember reading about the Afghanistan debate, and it was Biden who did not want to surge in Afghanistan, but was outnumbered by others including Clinton. (Thank goodness Petraeus is out of the picture -- he was the one playing tricks in the press to box the POTUS into surging). I think IF Kerry and Hagel are confirmed, we won't see new adventures, will get out of Afghanistan, and see diplomatic progress in the Middle East. And maybe show some leadership on climate change? Maybe?

I love that it's a bunch of old white guys from the Senate who behind their smiles and long years in Washington are actually pretty radical choices. It will mean the return to true "conservative" foreign policy. I mean the old meaning of the word. Where you stop and ask questions before shooting.

Just a footnote though, that I don't know if this will impact drone policy, which although controversial, seems to be supported by the three men as a lesser evil to entire armies invading countries. So don't expect the Greenwald crowd to be happy with this team.

[wisteria]

2. I feel the same way you do. n/t

[karynnj]

4. Great points - and I like that with Kerry and Hagel - you will really get

two independent opinions by men with both military and political experience. More important two men who have always been "thoughtful" and willing to look honestly at what is happening and to argue for things that aren't the standard solution of the moment.

[karynnj]

3. This is the best article I have seen!

Even the "old" part is not a criticism. ( consider the opposite in the 2008 race, where it was said that Hillary had to be more pro war to counter the gender assumptions. )

The best thing is that the article is one of the few that gets Kerry's record on Iraq and speaks of the Contras. That is what the article is echoing back to with the "old" comment.

"Yet if we want to normalize a foreign policy that combines military strength with collaboration relationships around the world to ensure citizens’ rights to security and voice in their respective governments, our best bet may be the older white guy. He’s gone up against his peers’ machismo for forty years and has nothing left to prove."

In fact, is facing his peers' masismo, he has had nothing to prove since returning as a highly decorated veteran.

[wisteria]

5. +1 n/t

[MBS]

6. spot-on article

Thanks.

[Inuca]

8. Interesting & thanks

Also just wanted to say HI, took a break from online politics for a while.