"Kerry Is the Right Choice

[Mass]

17. May be, but I am skeptical about the last part.

I would be nice, but it is clearly not seen by their daily actions.

According to the news media, the list is still Rice and Kerry (and nobody else), so they probably needed Kerry as a backup if Rice could not get it.

The problem is, however, that if he needed Kerry, they made such a mess of this that nominated a highly qualified person would be seen as a loss. Kind of ironic given that Kerry was the first name that came to most reporters' name before people started leaking Rice's name.

I also think Kerry wanted it. By now, he could have made clear he was not interested otherwise. He also would not be absent at a time where so many important events are happening in foreign policy (from Israel to Egypt and Afghanistan), mostly in his area of expertise.

I am less bothered by the fact he is not nominated than by the fact the Democratic Party in general and the WH in particular does not seem able to show respect for people who are worthwhile (Kerry, but also Patty Murray, and others in the House). They were able to create a new position for Schumer in the leadership, but not for Murray? Kerry and Murray seem to be the goto people among the Democrats in the Senate for something nobody wants to do, but they get little recognition for it and this recognition is soon forgotten. I guess it goes with the territory, but it is sad.

Now. let's just hope Obama names Rice and starts using his political capital for issues that really matter (a choice between Rice and Kerry is not going to change people's life).