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

[Scoppertop]

NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO! Bill Clinton would be better LOL

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

I have a friend who is a flight attendant on the shuttle between Boston and DC. Although he is a dem, he HA TES it when Kerry gets on the plane.

Kerry will take his jacket off; sit down; and then hold the jacket out and jiggle it until someone comes to put it away for him. Pom pous a ss, I believe were his exact words.....

[nellie]

This surprises me. I wouldn't have thought of Kerry for this position, but all day commentators have been calling the idea "brilliant."

[rachel2012]

oh, noooooo

[Chardin]

I 'endorse' your 'veto'.
I think we can do better than another member of the American 'aristocracy'
In addition his wife is a loose cannon.
I think Kerry would be far more effective where he is.
He is a bit of a blow hard.
I think our President will choose someone superior.
I enjoy saying "Our President' now.

[mindact]

Bill richardson it is... He's got the best experience for the job. he works tirelessly, has executive experience and was the top diplomat to the UN. Plus, we need a Hispanic for the No3 spot:)

[wandering girl]

I second this whole-heartedly. Bill also has the respect of world leaders, as well as the hefty credentials.

[temashana]

G-d forbid!

[Zyzzygowski]

Slow your role.

"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."? HUH?

Why would anyone who witnessed and heard how Sen Obama would announce his VP running mate would allow themselves to accept this? Wouldn't it be far more logical that any announcement concerning Pres Elect Obama's appointments happen the same way that the VP was revealed?

Leaking and speaking out of turn does not sound like the Obama campaign. Why would they start now?

Not, denying it, just saying, beware the parlor talk.

[annecoulter]

Wait a minute.

At this rate, there won't be any senior Democrats in Congress!

[leeskyblue]

Chuck Hagel maybe, Kerry no. Good Lord, Kerry couldn't handle Karl Rove, and we're going to send him to negotiate with the Iranians? With the North Koreans? With Hamas, Chavez, the Taliban, the Russians, the Chinese? With our beloved rogue Sarah Palin if she decides to lead an Alaska secessionist movement? I pray they make that "short list" just a little shorter.

[Elderlady]

I don't think the Obama administration is going to pluck people from the United States Senate, that they are going to need to get their agenda passed.

This would include John Kerry.

Chuck Hagel resigned.

[sillyseason]

Kerry's seat in the Senate would be filled by the Democratic Governor of Mass. with a Democrat - There would be no loss of Democratic Senators.

[soot]

Bill Richardson, Colin Powell, John Kerry and Chuck Hagel would all be great choices.

[sillyseason]

Agreed!!!

[ashcom]

Bill Richardson is my choice.
Colin Powell --defense? or UN

[LisaJeanM]

Minus Kerry.

[Veneita]

I hope it is not John Kerry, although he is a likeable guy. I hope that it is Bill Richardson. Obama needs to understand the politics of paying dues. We've had a white woman Secretary of State, an African American man and an African American woman. Richardson has the credentials. He could have backed Hillary Clinton and went for Obama. I will be greatly disappointed (and I'm African American) if he doesn't give this man the post.

[MrButtons]

Those are good points. I think Richardson would be better. But John Kerry was the one who personally selected Obama to give the Keynote Address in 2004. John Kerry supported Obama from day one. Richardson was on the fence for a while.

[Apis]

HHHMMMMM!?!?

http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/03-11-2008/106655-russia_latin_america-0

[Apis]

I agree Bill Richardson would be a great choice for the position, although not because of paying dues. I do wholeheartedly agree that we should break molds of traditional selections now that we have broken through that proverbial glass ceiling. Richardson would help bridge some big "gulfs" with Latin America in addition to other nations around the globe. Latin America has been steadily moving away from their relationship with the U.S. and getting cozy with Russia and China. Expanding relationships may not be such a bad thing, but we certainly want to be at the table to prevent Russian nuclear weapons in our hemisphere.

[txgal44]

Get over it. Who are you to suggest who Obama chooses! Geez. Bill Richardson backed Obama so now he has to give up his first born? That's the same lame stuff Bill had to deal with from the Clintons. Loyalty or else. Go somewhere with that! Obama will put the most qualified in the position. We have to trust him. Let him do his job. Please.

[ella52]

He's my Senator and I respect him because of his service to our country and for the programs he supports, he is a smart guy. That being said, I afraid he will bore allies and foes to death. God he is hard to listen to and I believe it is the reason he lost in 2004, no one could stand the thought of him trying to communicate complex problems to the electorate. (Worse sometimes he gets a little whine-y sounding).
I think that there are many other, better choices out there.

[NWBrunette]

Indeed, he's the sleeper candidate, literally.

[Kache]

Vice President Elect Biden will surely have great input on choice for Sec State. His colleague Senator Lugar comes to mind. Also, Obama and Lugar worked well together. And Lugar is as well known and respected in diplomatic circles as Biden is.

[aOsO]

What are you saying? Hagel is also a Senator.

[aOsO]

Z2221344 .