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

[aztekclub]

honestly... Clinton put a republican in his cabinet as a sign of bi-partisanship and they STILL spent 8 years trying to rip him to shreds

[Sock]

State - Richardson
A.G - Napolitano
Homeland Security- Holbrooke
Defense- Hagel
Energy - Kennedy
Treasury- Some poor sap

[Kache]

State - Joe Wilson
A.G - Patrick Fitzgerald
Homeland Security- Arnold Schwarzenegger
Defense- Bob Gates
Energy - T. Boone Pickins
Treasury - David Petraeus

This is fun, let's do it again tomorrow.

[lauriemann]

I hope Obama does talk to Schwarzenegger. I heard him talk on The Commonwealth Club about green energy policies and was very impressed by his grasp of the subject. Schwarzenegger is a wonderful marketer, which could be exactly what green energy policies need. I'm not sure I'd want to see him as Secretary of Energy, but as an advisor. Ditto T. Boone Pickens (who certainly has good ideas but may not be appropriate in the Cabinet).

[Scoppertop]

Treasury -- Ron Paul
...or Dennis Kucinich

[boing007]

Nader - Transportation.

[peacegurl48]

Hagel, Richardson, Clark?

[koufax]

heard from a very good source that Nelson A. Diaz is strongly being considered for Sec. of HUD. He was Clinton's General Counsel for HUD and would be a terrific choice.

[Pegi]

here are my picks like anyone cares, LOL,

Richardson - State
Kerry - Defense
Hagel - Homeland Security
Hillary - Health and Human Services
i haven't decided who would be good for Education but I am working on it!! LOL
I am sure whoever President Obama picks will be a perfect fit for the job.

[Sock]

Edumacashun - Sarah Palin of course!

[hogoza]

you are wrong on all the 3.

[AZterritory]

Richardson--Homeland Security---knowledgeable on border issues, respected and a citizen of the world in all the right ways. Intelligent, but then again, anyone President Obama picks would be.

[kissmygrits]

Kerry for Defense? I love Kerry but what are you smokin'? Hagel for defense makes some sense. Powell has been floated for education. He's done a ton of work in this area.

[aztekclub]

Bill Richardson should have this post... no one would be better for the jobthan him!

[tess01]

NO NO NO! Come on. I'm sure John Kerry is an intelligent man, and he seems decent enough. But this job requires someone who projects sincerity and strength of will, practicality, listening skill, some degree of warmth in interpersonal relations, and someone who is comfortable in his or her own skin. I'm sorry but Sen. Kerry doesn't cut it. I'd love another Albright type of SofS. I wish Bill Clinton would/could take the job. Richardson works in my view.

[aubrey8]

Hagel would be better than Kerry or Richardson, Clinton wouldn't take it but that kind of tough minded intelligent individual would be good.

[Leon72]

No Clinton should be let anywhere near an Obama administration. Make Hillary a Supreme Court appointee and your debt will have been paid for the Clintons' late bandwagon jumping

[SuzyQ08]

What about Hagel?

[aubrey8]

might be a good pick. Better than Kerry and Richardson is way to soft.

[GeorgeP922]

I love how many republicans are in this room!!!

Yes Obama, give some cabinet spots to republicans, and then watch them repay the favor!

We will have so many filibusters the next 4 years, good ole GOP willing to put anything above their agenda, citizens, economy, science, etc etc.

[KyleTheChemist]

Well... not so fast. If Obama places Republican Senators on his cabinet, those senators will have to be replaced. If strategically chosen, their replacements may very well be Democratic. If that happens, the Dems cross the 60 vote threshold while appearing extremely bipartisan for the cross-the-aisle appointments.

[Higbyguy]

Kyle, you are brilliant! Bipartisanship in the cabinet and legislative unity in the Senate. It's a perfect set-up.

[DuVal Dem]

My choice is Richardson. He has the experience in the Clinton admin. with the U.N., He was an adrent supporter late in the primaries, and on talk shows. Bill Richardson for Sec. of State.

[exclintonsupporter]

I so agree with you...I like Kerry...but Richardson would be a much better choice in my opinion...

[Sammy1]

Agreed, Richardson for State...
Kerry for Attorney General...
He'd be a kick-ass AG

[arethusa]

Someone outside the Clinton administration might be better. We may need some fresh faces, not to mention strong democratic senators (we are losing two already). Chuck Hagel is interesting. Richardson--solid. Kerry a fine Senator.

[Higbyguy]

Not so fast -- we rather like having Richardson as our governor here in this bluest of blue states, New Mexico.

[utleftie]

Hell NO to Kerry!!!

[Kate4Change]

Chuck Hagel all the way!!!!!

[GeorgeP922]

The Democrats just won a LANDSLIDE, its called a mandate.

Tell Tom Delay to keep crying in his bedroom!

[aubrey8]

Remember how Bush boasted about his "mandate" in 04 when squeaked out Ohio but won the popular vote by 2 million. Remember how he said that he had a whole bunch of "political capital" to spend because of his "mandate" ?

I remember and I remember how all the Limbaughs and Hannity's were saying the same thing.

Obama won by over 7 million and over 80 electoral votes. That's a mandate.

[IkeChicago]

Without John Kerry, Obama won't be Obama, he was the one that brought Obama to the eyes of the nation. Kerry introduced Obama to his doner list and endorsed him very, very early.

[Sock]

These jobs aren't given out as thank you gifts anymore. That's Bush style hiring.

[meede]

Well we can thank Kerry for that. Much obliged!! But H.e.l.l. no to the SofS. The Favor days are over.

[aubrey8]

Obama will be fine. I was a Kerry donor and didn't give Obama a dime until after he won the primaries.

[LemonMeringue]

Kerry
Hagel
Kucinich
Nader
Kennedy

Just a few names I want to see in his administration.

They don't all have to be Clintonites!

[Kate4Change]

Hillary Clinton is great too.