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

[solidblue]

I agree, anyone but John Kerry. He would not do anything to increase our standing in the world. Bill Richardson has been angling for some job since he endorsed Obama, but I don't think he should get it either. How about some women? I get the Janet Napolitano AG possibility, but is she the only woman qualified for a cabinet post? What about reaching across the aisle for someone like Olympia Snowe is a cabinet post?

[mercuryguy]

How about make Biden the Sec of State? Is that possible?

[beartrack]

Kerry is not the person for State. If fact he should just sit tight where he is. Hillary would be better there. Hagel perhaps. Jim Webb would look good at Defense. --It won't hurt to bring in some of the good moderate Republicans. Obama will show that he will put the best in place. Bush just put in unqualified cronies in and we see how that worked out.

[bullwinkle88]

Kerry would be fine. I'd rather see him as president (his was the only campaign I've ever given money to) because I know he would be outstanding.

But this position suits him too. He's a great statesman and has been a true leader all of his life. I'm happy to see Obama thinks agrees with me.

[dsgeorge]

Prior to his affair coming to light, I was all for John Edward as AG.......n­ow I am thinking Janet Napoletano would be good....bu­t I would like to see her run against John McCain for his senate seat in 4 years. I think President-elect Obama needs to stay away from the Senate dems. We need all of them....ye­s if they have dem govs in the states he chooses from it is a good thing but the experience matters. Kennedy, sadly, does not have history of brain cancer on his side and Duval Patrick does not want to have the replacement of 2 dems on his record - it can come back to haunt him.

[boing007]

No leftovers from the Republican Party. Period. Gates, you name it. Too constrictive and poisoned advice.

[boing007]

How about some Outsiders with Insider smarts?

[boing007]

Education - Barney the Dinosaur, Big Bird.

[boing007]

Gates out the gate. The whole Bush crew in the street.

[boing007]

AG - The Gubernator.

[boing007]

Change We Can Believe In. Remember?

[boing007]

No Hagel, no Lugar. Buzz off. That's Not Change I Can Believe In.

[boing007]

No Republicans. They are too fossilized in their ideas. Ex Cold War Hawks.

We need new people, new ideas, new approaches.

[boing007]

No Senators, no Governors. Leave them where they are.

[boing007]

No Hagel, no Lugar, Gates, Paulson, Bernanke, Cash&Carry. There are qualified Democrats out there who can fill these positions. Find them. We should have a Referendum on the candidates that are selected.