Senator Kerry has always excelled at Q and A...

[karynnj]

30. That and the fact that how she is viewed doing her job reflects on his own legacy

This is win/win for both Obama and Clinton. Saying that the world is safer because of all she did means HIS administration has made the world safer. I think Obama will give Kerry support if doing so helps Obama - and there is a very good chance of that. It is important for Obama that Kerry succeed because otherwise, it is his foreign policy that fails.

I doubt Obama is intimidated by ANYONE's expertise. As President, he has to have many people who know more about their nitch than he does. (This is even true of Senators.) A good example is that he likely knows little on banks and financing compared to Geitner and Lew. The difference there might be greater than in foreign policy, where Obama has more expertise.

If I remember right, Obama has not always done a lot to give Clinton a high profile - especially in the beginning. I do wish that Obama would have given Kerry at least a few minutes to speak when he announced him, but the timing may have been very tight as it was right before Obama left on vacation. Kerry will get to say anything he would have said today in the Senate.

I would not be surprised if Kerry keeps a low profile as he meets with leaders next month. High profile meetings lead to expectations of immediate results -- and there are no easy solutions.

I also think that he is in the position many of who worked in big organizations recognize - following a designated "star". This was always something to avoid as any initiative, no matter how vague, mentioned by the star becomes a negative if it can't or isn't done and if done, is credited as started by the "star". Especially will the parts of the media wanting Clinton as President it is clear this could happen. However, I think we have all seen times in the Senate when something Kerry was instrumental on is not credited to him - and he seems content that it happened. (like when he took his name off the Katrina help bill to get Republican votes)

However, if he is able to do any of the big things that need doing - climate change (where Clinton had little interest), the Middle East, Iran, or India/Pakistan/Afghanistan, Obama will be considered among our best foreign policy Presidents and Kerry an outstanding SOS. (Even if it is Obama and 2 great SOSs does it matter?) There are other more doable things like getting better relations with Russia that are possible too.

As to saying he will miss HRC, that is personal and does not in any way reflect on the qualities of the successor. Back when they were more normal, I went to lots of work goodbye luncheons where even when the successor were known, they were often not mentioned. He is just saying thank you.