John Kerry: Secretary Of State?

The Washington Independent reported before the election that John Kerry is a leading candidate for Barack Obama's Secretary of State:

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the Democratic nominee for president in 2004, has emerged as a leading candidate for secretary of state -- should Sen. Barack Obama win the presidency Nov. 4.

Obama campaign advisers declined to comment on the record for this story. Nor would many Democratic foreign-policy experts who might join an Obama administration. But off the record, Obama aides made clear that Kerry's name is on a very short list of contenders to become the country's top diplomat. Another person talked up by the great mentioner is Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), a Vietnam War veteran whose foreign-policy views align surprisingly well with Obama's.

Asked about the position, Kerry has refused to say much.

"I have no job I'm looking for in the Cabinet at this point in time," Kerry told WCVB-TV just moments after he delivered his victory speech. "If the president talks to me, I'll listen to him and talk to him, but there's very little I would leave the U.S. Senate for."

Asked specifically about secretary of state, a position mentioned because of Kerry's interest in foreign affairs, the senator replied, "Well, I'd talk to the president if he called me and asked me about it. But I never heard anything. It's speculation. We don't have a president yet. Let's get down the road and see where we are."

Comments

[beartrack]

11:50 PM on 11/10/2008

Please not John Kerry for State. Too much of him before. Bill Richardson has a proven track record "on the Job" at the UN. Knows the players , that relationship to the Latin countries couldn't hurt. Hagel or Jim Webb at Defense.

[augiemarch]

03:08 AM on 11/10/2008

This is a tough call, i.e. between Bill Richardson and John Kerry. The Massachusetts Senate seat would be safe in the sense that a Democrat would succeed, but if a special election were required in New Mexico, a governorship might be at some risk. Both men have a substantial claim on the post. Richardson would be popular with Hispanics, and as a fluent Spanish speaker and experienced diplomat, would help us in Latin America, a region neglected by the current administration. John Kerry, a fluent French speaker with French roots and a Portugese wife, would be a clear hit in Europe. Other than a dark-horse shot at AG, there's not a worthy portfolio for Richardson apart from State. I hope that Obama resists the temptation to duck and pick some dark horse. Either one would be an excellent choice, but on balance, I'd favor Kerry.

[LisaJeanM]

06:47 AM on 11/08/2008

Chuck Hagel.

[RJII]

02:25 AM on 11/10/2008

much better than Kerry. I would like Hagel or Richardson to be Sec of State.

[RJII]

02:29 AM on 11/10/2008

Oops, I agree w/ Hagel for Sec of state. I thought this was the Sec of Defense recommendation..

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

11:36 AM on 11/07/2008

No to John Kerry. We've had enough of these Yale fraternity brothers running our foreign policy. And don't tase me, Bro.

[mongus]

12:50 AM on 11/07/2008

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to John Kerry.

He is just the right person for that position.

Come on Barack, John Kerry will be an excellent choice.

[greatblue]

12:19 AM on 11/07/2008

NOT John Kerry, please! Bill Richardson is the best choice.
Kerry can't express a cogent thought in a single sentence. Nice guy, but not capable of earning the respect we need.
He will talk our friends to death and our enemies won't have any idea where we stand.

[labman57]

10:58 PM on 11/06/2008

I would prefer to see Bill Richardson in that post.

[mdmpo]

07:38 PM on 11/06/2008

I don't like Kerry. I'd like Bill Richardson.

[TN]

07:28 PM on 11/06/2008

Hillary could get things done and never makes a mistake when she speaks.

[TN]

07:28 PM on 11/06/2008

I hope Obama doesn't make the mistake of paying people back with jobs.

[TN]

07:26 PM on 11/06/2008

No not Kerry. We need someone who get get deals. Get Trump.

[fluidstillness]

07:14 PM on 11/06/2008

Please - NOT KERRY! I respect him, but would much prefer BIll Richardson - a true statesman and international figure. Kerry is an honest man, but, as we know from his campaigns, a pretty poor speaker, and someone with a lot of past history.

[democratUSA]

05:59 PM on 11/06/2008

NO-NO NO- JOHN KERRY? Good guy but Ineffective and is a has-been. He won't be respected.
We need solid people like Sam Nunn, Chuck Lugar.

[Special K]

12:31 PM on 11/06/2008

Richardson makes about ten times more sense. Kerry came through on his endorsement of Obama early on- I think that heightens speculation in this regard, but Bill mops the floor with John Kerry on his foreign policy credentials and reputation.

If one of President Obama's priorities is to renew America's standing in the world, he need only look to Richardson to take the ball and run with it. He has commanded a respect from many of our nation's adversaries and has achieved remarkable results in his endeavors.

If there's one guy in the world who could sit across from Ahmedinijad and get things accomplished, it's Bill Richardson. Try to envision John Kerry sitting across from him... I didn't think so either.

[LisaJeanM]

06:48 AM on 11/08/2008

Richardson or Hagel. Kerry is not respected, and there's a reason for that.

[englishprof]

12:04 PM on 11/06/2008

No, a thousand times no! It would be hard to imagine a more temporizing, lackluster person to put in this position.