Ah, so Kerry WAS Obama's first choice for Secretary of State

[beachmom]

Per the article Mass posted downthread:

http://bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/02/01/john-kerry-now-known-secretary-reflects-his-political-journey/Q73YnFOiYAW4qrBl9cAIyO/story.html

Kerry said President Obama offered him the job of secretary of state a week before United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew her name from contention, an earlier timeline than has been previously reported.

“He called me, actually a week before Susan got out of the thing,” Kerry said. “He called me and said, ‘You’re my choice. I want you to do this.’ He asked me to keep it quiet. I did. I sat on it.”

TPM highlighted this part of the article with Josh Marshall commenting:

02.01.2013 — 09:37 AM

Oh That Ain’t Nuthin …

Kerry says Obama offered him the job at State a week before Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/kerry-says-obama-offered-him-state-dept-job?ref=fpblg

I guess the media didn't have the whole story after all.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. Do they ever? n/t

[blm]

2. Just as I said. It is SO easy to see when corpmedia is being used to spread

a preferred narrative.

[patrice]

3. Did you see all of the practically monosyllabic posts from newbies here that couple of weeks?

They really! appeared to be coming from people who knew next to nothing about Rice.

[blm]

4. yep - very orchestrated

.

[demwing]

51. Really?

A post about how stupid newbies are?

All respect to you for hitting nearly 50k posts, but everyone starts as a newbie. Even you.

[patrice]

63. There are newbies & then there are "newbies" I should have made that clear. Don't

worry if you don't get the distinction, when making this kind of reference in the future I will use a different label, so as not to offend your sensibilities.

Thanks for your concern.

[demwing]

64. You are so welcome

I am just glad I could help.

[Blaukraut]

5. I'm glad he's come out and said something now

The way the entire farce played out was to everyone's detriment. Susan Rice left dangling, John Kerry made to look like the fallback decision...it was a mess. FWIW, anyone with half a brain and some knowledge on Rice's and Kerry's background would have figured long ago that John Kerry's views more closely aligned with where President Obama wants to take his foreign policy approach.

[beachmom]

6. Josh Marshall has an interesting tidbit (via TPM Prime):

I was at a private meeting with the president during the time that the Rice thing was playing out. And while he didn't shed any light on the issue other than to say that he was offended by the attack on her, it was never clear to me that she was really the first choice. So the idea that he wanted Rice but saw too much opposition and opted for Kerry, just never sure that was true

Josh was critical of Kerry saying what he did, saying it came down to ego and a dig to Rice. I disagree but appreciated his candor. I feel like we may have been snowed by the media. The truly objective media types like Josh really could not verify what was accepted as fact by a lot of the DC punditry, that Rice was Obama's first choice.

[politicasista]

7. What did he do to Rice?

What did he do to Obama? Why is the writer taking it out on SOS Kerry? Axe to grind?

[Mass]

8. Just a comment. No big deal. Probably no axe to grind. Nothing to do with Rice or Obama.

[politicasista]

10. Probably not, just curious n/t

[wisteria]

9. What exactly did Kerry say that Josh Marshall was critial over?

I missed that one.

[JI7]

12. i think they are referring to Kerry saying how Obama offered him the job

before Rice took her name out of consideration.

[beachmom]

19. His remark which he apparently later clarified.

About when he was offered the SoS job.

Now he's clarified and the whole thing is over. In the end, if Rice stays on as U.N. Ambassador, or goes on to being National Security Adviser, the two will be working together ... so, oh well. I think his remark was the truth, and now he's walking it back at the behest of the WH. Whoops.

[JI7]

11. Kerry was always his first choice, Rice didn't even come up until media and republicans

started pushing the story.

i think Susan Rice's people knew Kerry was likely to be picked so they started on the media campaign. that's how those media stories started and that's where republicans picked it up and started using it for their own benefit. what they did was still ugly and there is no excuse for it though.

but this is why the KErry as Defense Sec story started also. it was a way to say to Obama that he could still have Kerry in the cabinet and still make Rice sec of state.

Kerry's name was always the name that came up. Rice's name would come up along with others who were not likely to be picked .

i wonder if Rice didn't make a mistake in not trying to have better relations with Hillary Clinton. they are closer in their views on issues . but it speaks well of Kerry that Hillary would still prefer him even if they are not as close on issues and even politically he endorsed Obama right after Hillary's big NH win and took attention away from that. many Hillary supporters have not forgiven him for that though Kerry and Hillary and even Bill seem to get along well.

[Inuca]

13. Saw this a bit earlier

and LOVED it. Makes me feel so much better about the whole thing. And i 100% agree with the comment upthread that the whole thing was a MESS.

[politicasista]

14. delete n/t

[ProSense]

15. No one cares.

Obama nonimated Kerry. He accepted. He was confirmed.

On February 1, 2013, John Forbes Kerry was sworn in as the 68th Secretary of State of the United States, becoming the first sitting Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman to become Secretary in over a century.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/203657.htm

I mean, some people might think a tweet fest about this is highly important, but get real.

[politicasista]

16. delete n/t

Last edited Sun Feb 3, 2013, 12:21 AM - Edit history (1)

[ProSense]

17. OK

As Biden likes to say, BFD.

This handwringing is on par with navel gazing or picking one's nose.

[politicasista]

18. Ok n/t

[beachmom]

20. No, I think it was true, but the WH has probably asked him to walk it back.

No problem. He needs to work with Rice, and well, it's his first day. Let's cut him some slack.

[politicasista]

21. I am not mad at him and I am cutting him some slack n/t

[ProSense]

23. Is it your understanding

"Maybe he may want to check in with O and the WH before he goes on record with this."

...that every member of the Cabinet consult the President before opening his/her mouth?

Who is "O"?

[politicasista]

25. delete

Last edited Fri Feb 1, 2013, 08:22 PM - Edit history (1)

sorry

[ProSense]

26. No it isn't, but again

"It's a sensitive thing for those that backed Rice, only to withdrawal because of the The Club, and for him to say that Obama called him before she withdrew, then comeback and say it was a overly casual thing to say and admit that Obama (O) called him after she withdrew."

...you're getting the details wrong to fit your narrative.

Here's is the comment:

Secretary of State John Kerry says comment to Boston Globe was 'overly casual'; says Obama didn't formerly offer him job until after Susan Rice withdrew

http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGI_dugwM/2013/02/01/secretary-of-state-john-kerry-says-comment-to-boston-globe-was-overly

So he walked it back a bit. Still, what difference does it make? He can speak his mind on the issue.

"The WH (or the inner circle) doesn't play when it comes to this and it looks bad for him that he had to walk back his comments."

What are you talking about?

[politicasista]

30. delete not important n/t

Last edited Sat Feb 2, 2013, 04:09 AM - Edit history (1)

[ProSense]

33. What?

"Jarrett, Axelrod, etc probably told him to walk it back."

LOL!

[politicasista]

35. delete n/t

Last edited Fri Feb 1, 2013, 08:23 PM - Edit history (1)

[Mass]

37. Axelrod does not work at the White House anymore

I am sure he has Obama's ear, but the fact is he does not work there anymore. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Axelrod

[politicasista]

39. Thought he still worked there

will go back and edit. thanks.

[wisteria]

44. I think politisista may think SOS Kerry is somehow belittling Rice.

I believe she supported Rice, for a number of reasons, and is still hurt at her backing out. Some people on some blog sites have tried to paint Kerry as the villian in all of this, ignoring that he possessed the temperment, had the extensve experience and knowledge for the job. Politisista sees statements like the first one attributed to Kerry as proof that these comments on those blog sites were correct. In my opinion, politisista likes Kerry, but is being pulled in two directions.

[politicasista]

46. Never thought that

Last edited Fri Feb 1, 2013, 11:22 PM - Edit history (1)

SOS Kerry was always cool. Never got swept in the wave like so many who were afraid of Brown or losing Kerry's senate seat, and was never in every thread lobbying for Rice.

Went back and listened to Obama's final first term interview on Tom Joyner when he was asked about his SOS candidates, he mentioned the word "substance" and it fit Kerry. Never thought there was any issues with Kerry/Rice. They make a fine team also.

[wisteria]

47. Ok, I stand corrected.n/t

[politicasista]

50. It's all good

small edit.

[karynnj]

55. Interesting that a reporter says "formerly" rather than "formally"

Given that Kerry has always been among the most honest of politicians, I think both sentences are true. What does "formally" offer mean vs merely "offer"? It means Kerry did get a heads up from the Obama administration earlier.

If Rice had been the likely choice at the point the Republicans started to attack, the strongest way that Obama could have supported her would have been to nominate her - he didn't. Instead, he started his defense saying he had not made his choice, but that would not affect it.

[beachmom]

27. Well, this is a John Kerry Supporter Forum, not a Susan Rice Supporter Forum.

Nobody cares about this. My expansive Twitter feed sure doesn't. Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill.

[politicasista]

31. Not making this about Rice

but understand if people feel that way.

[Mass]

29. So, you are part of the inner circle now?

And you have actually no idea why Rice withdrew. It may be that Obama just gave her the opportunity to withdraw her nomination because he chose Kerry as the best choice.

May be it would be good for you and your circle of friends to move on. Kerry is SoS. Rice is UN ambassador. It was Obama's decision. How is it possible to be an Obama supporter and make so much noise about this decision he made.

[politicasista]

34. delete

Last edited Sun Feb 3, 2013, 12:25 AM - Edit history (8)

too divisive

[Mass]

36. The problem is that you assume things.

Do you think it is possible that somebody (may be Glenn Johnson, David Wade, Kerry himself) saw the article and realized it look bad and made the clarification? I do not know that for a fact, but it is possible, just as possible as the WH calling Kerry.

For the rest, I agree with others. Nobody cares. Nobody in my Twitter list and RSS list actually cares about that, and frankly, people on the LBN thread you posted were just mildly interested.

[politicasista]

38. Yep. That is possible

And nobody cares.

And I am sorry if people feel I hate Kerry for voicing about something. Already said congrats and that he will be great. And you are right. I am wrong. This is no issue.

Peace.

[ProSense]

24. Here's the thing:

"No, I think it was true, but the WH has probably asked him to walk it back.

No problem. He needs to work with Rice, and well, it's his first day. Let's cut him some slack"

...Kerry likely is walking this back a bit to prevent the kind of reaction it garnered from some people.

Susan Rice has worked for Senator Kerry. She is a friend. The attempts to create animosity between the two is absurd, but that's exactly what the media tried to do.

[beachmom]

28. Exactly. This is the Globe we're talking about. They probably asked

a bunch of things, and took that comment, threw it in the article, then others took it and made a big deal out of it. It wasn't that big a deal, well, except that I didn't like the way the media portrayed it being all but Rice's job, when that clearly wasn't the case.

[ProSense]

32. Exactly.

It wasn't a big deal, but it was nice to get the confirmation.

[politicasista]

40. Ok. sorry. Peace. n/t

[wisteria]

43. I honestly was sick of hearing this.And, the media seemed to keep on repeating it,

for what purpose I don't know, other then to slap down Kerry. I assume that he was unoffically offered the post, waiting for Rice to exit with grace, them the offical anouncement came.

[wisteria]

41. I always felt he was the first choice. And, the end game is he will do the better job.

But, after awhile I would get tired of everyone reporting that I was nominated after Rice withdrew-especially if I knew it wasn't true. Frankly, I could never understand why the President would think so little of this post to appoint someone who had less experience and had the wrong temperment for the post simply because she was a friend or was of a certain race. I suspect that you have felt all along that Rice should have been given this position-and that is fine, it is your opinion and you are entitled to it. But, you do need to understand that Kerry's stepping back problably had more to do with having to possible work along side of her and not to start a flurry of criticism from various minority groups. Racism is still a problem in our country, and it angers me, but I get just as angry when some people and some groups see racism where it doesn't exist and expect that such things as experience, knowledge and temperment should be overlooked to appoint members of a certain race or sex, because they think this will rectify the wrongs committed in the past.

[politicasista]

45. Sorry for venting about all this

I agree with your post. Sorry for coming here and venting about something where there is much ado about nothing. I have said before that Kerry will do excellent as SOS. I have never been mad at him. If it was taken that way, it wasn't the intent.

A small final, OT word. Agree that everything isn't about race or gender (i.e.the fuss over the First Lady's designer choice for her Inaugural ball dress, if it ain't broke don't try to fix it, she looked nice period). The Basic Black segment last week talking about President Obama not mentioning "black" in his Inaugural address was informative, but sounds like Smiley and West. Not to say that he shouldn't address the issues, but he is the POTUS of America, and the cabinet diversity thing meme was just hogwash.

I loved that SOS Kerry acknowledging this lady, and others in his farewell Senate address.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/10/31/jeanette-boone-smith-longtime-community-and-political-activist/gXMqJEjJgwN9vi1b9c2doK/story.html


For what it's worth, did delete most of the replies. I been wrong on a lot of things, so thanks for clearing that up. Peace.

[wisteria]

48. That is fine you agree with my post, but remember you are entitled to your opinions too. n/t

[politicasista]

49. Thanks n/t

[Mass]

22. Apparently, Kerry walked back the comment.

http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGI_dugwM/2013/02/01/secretary-of-state-john-kerry-says-comment-to-boston-globe-was-overly

[wisteria]

42. Which means, they were waiting for her to withdraw in good time.

It seems to me that he was offered the post unofficially, which gave Rice time to exciit with no harm done.

[defacto7]

52. It was a stupid media GOP/stunt to begin with.

He never did offer her the position... it was always the fact that she was not on top of the list. As I remember it, Obama just defended her when she was attacked and she seemed to me to be overreacting to begin with. Who knows, maybe it was a setup from the start to see what the GOP reaction or tactics were going to be. If so, it was a good move.

[wisteria]

53. You make some good points. n/t

[politicasista]

54. +1

Last edited Sat Feb 2, 2013, 04:16 AM - Edit history (1)

though overreacting is a strong word.

[karynnj]

56. I wouldn't use the word over reacting - it has to be incredibly tough to be

the focus of a RW echo chamber attack. However, she was not attacked anywhere near as intensively as the Clintons of John Kerry (in 2006, 2004, when he investigated Contra drug and gun smuggling and BCCI, and as a young man in 1972 when he ran for Congress. Then, unlike Rice he was 28 years old, a highly decorated Vet still dealing with all he saw in Vietnam AND it was the President and his people attacking him and putting him on an enemies list. That Kerry ever returned to run for public office showed how strong his desire for a life of public service was and is)

[wisteria]

68. Very true. n/t

[JI7]

60. this doesn't really matter at all

if people think he is a jerk/dick for what he said, who cares ? it's understandable why people might htink that.

what matters is how he will do in his job as SOS . what matters is all the things going on in the world if he will do a good job in helping Obama to improve things.

and it wouldn't be a good idea to take on the job or be in politics if you are going to worry about every little thing ,e specially when they don't matter at all and have nothing tod o with your job .

[Mass]

61. Same comment as earlier.

How do you know that (not Hayes's comment. Who cares and frankly, if Kerry was not able to take comments like that, he would not deserve being SoS, but why he walked the comment back)?

BTW, 44 retweets for 180,000 followers. Really? That is what bothers you? Come on, I know I will be dissed for saying that, but what is your agenda here? Making sure that Kerry's supporters here cannot enjoy the fact that he is going able to have this job?

For the rest, frankly, who cares except you?

[ProSense]

62. Do you really...

"BTW, 44 retweets for 180,000 followers. Really? That is what bothers you? Come on, I know I will be dissed for saying that, but what is your agenda here? Making sure that Kerry's supporters here cannot enjoy the fact that he is going able to have this job? "

...have to ask? From the comment you responded to:

"It shouldn't be a big deal. However, liberal pundits (one who called it a "dick" move), and other Dems, Liberals, and progressives that supported him as SOS nominee who are still bitter at him over 04 and other thing and now are unhappy with him for it."

I mean, why not mention the swift liars...and the kitchen sink?

I'm thrilled Kerry cleared the air, and all the handwringers can go to hell. Why should he tip-toe around the truth? They seem distraught that the media spin was destroyed. It's like deep down they were hoping to have the meme for years to come. Screw 'em.

[wisteria]

69. That is a good point that his comment shattered the media spin.

I am also glad he cleared the air. Why should he continue to allow people to believe that he was second to Rice. Frankly, I think it places doubts in peoples' minds about just how well he will be able to do his job and have the President's ear.

[wisteria]

70. I disagree, I think it was a good idea that he cleared the air.

I was tired of hearing the media spin that he was second choice and picked after Rice withdrew. She was never chosen by the President in the first place, and it was the media that blew the entire situation out of proportion. I think some of the negative comments against Kerry are coming from people in the media who would have prefered Rice and were pushing for her. And, Kerry will always remain for some, the stiff guy that was media created so that Bush could win in 2004. Rice is no shrinking violet, she has a demeaning, agressive style that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. And, im my opinion she would have alienated the US from many other countries rather then trying to find common ground. She will survive a little truth telling.

Clearing the air means he starts his job with the strong support of the President rather than the Rice supporting media people who want to make everyone believe that he was second best. His comments will clear up any confusion and will get him off to a strong start.

[politicasista]

71. Ok.

It was much ado about nothing.

Sorry if people think/thought I have an agenda, when haven't said anything that violates the DUK group.

Thanks for clearing that up. Nothing more to add. Peace.