Kerry sent congratulations to Hillary Clinton

[karynnj]

Nice statement.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-clinton-kerry-idUSKCN0YU1U8

[karynnj]

2. I wouldn't say he is not a history making figure -- the Iran deal and the Paris Climate Accord are

very historic and they would not have happened without him. Not to mention, he already had a claim on history as a 27 year old man. The fact that 35 years later his eloquent words spoken out of his passion against the Vietnam War were repeated by many including Republicans shows that they did impact people's view of war.

It is true that unlike Obama and the Clintons, he will never be President. However, I think that history will be kinder to him than the people you hear. In fact, in terms of legacy, his Iran nuclear deal probably averted a war with Iran and the US/China pact on climate change and the various other agreements that led to the Paris accord will hopefully be seen as the point where the world really moved to fight climate change.

If you watched the signing of the Paris Accord at the UN in NYC, you would have heard that Kerry received a lot of very warm applause by his fellow ministers -- and I assume it was not ALL because he signed holding his very adorable little granddaughter.

BOTH of these accomplishments were given little chance of success when Kerry took over as Secretary of State. Yet, other than the ACA, these two accomplishments are Obama's three most significant accomplishments. He deserves credit for giving Kerry the space and the permission to push for them.

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gXB0SAUMtjkfDuw5K88BsQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9ODAwO2lsPXBsYW5l/

[karynnj]

4. Very few people in history come close to Obama

Last edited Thu Jun 9, 2016, 07:23 AM - Edit history (1)

Assuming that HRC becomes President, her legacy will depend on what she is able to accomplish. She will be note worthy just by being being the first woman President, but long term, that matters only if she is a successful President - which for the world's sake I hope she is.

Biden is likable, but I remember the few months when he was rumored to be considering running for President. He was absolutely trashed in many threads - mostly by supporters of Clinton. Kerry actually has gotten a large amount of praise as SoS. In fact, many posts have argued that he is the most successful SOS in 50 years. (Pretty significant as it has become very very rare that even the Clinton people dispute that.) While Biden has been considered a good VP, there are not a huge number of major things that he is given the main credit for.

I think Gore and Kerry have a huge amount of respect for the work each has done on climate change. Gore did a tremendous job educating people in America and elsewhere. Kerry's careful work over several climate change conferences and in bilateral meetings was essential to the Paris Climate Accord that was designed to insure the US would be able to join it - in spite of the Republicans -- and to include the Chinese and other third world countries.

Nobel Peace Prizes are tricky and depend on what else happened at the same time. However, whether Kerry gets a NPP for his work on the Iran nuclear deal OR his work on climate change, both of those are important milestones.

[MBS]

6. Gracious and appropriate.

To answer some of the comments downthread, I'll also add that JK is already recognized, in the US, and globally, as an outstanding Secretary of State - a creative and indefatigable diplomat. (Just look at him at any international event: all those diplomats so obviously treat him with honor and affection) Never mind the usual @#$ of the far right and the endless rehash of his IWR vote: history will treat him as a man of character who has done much good for our country, and the world.and the environment. And he so deserves that recognition.

[karynnj]

7. Wonderfully said and he looks so comfortable and happy

Even in the formal pictures.

[MBS]

8. " " " n/t