Kerry Is the No Drama Option for Secretary of State

The three big-name candidates mentioned for Obama's potential Secretary of State are New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Indiana Senator Richard Lugar.

(You can probably ignore the right-wing efforts to put peter-principle hacks like Rand Beers and Richard Holbrooke on the short list: Obama's going to need someone with a pre-existing high profile because the appointment is also about sending a message to the rest of the world, and he needs a Secretary that the other 700 members of the campaign's foreign policy team will not attempt to subvert or roll. Obama needs a Bigfoot in that position. And while Senator Hillary Clinton of New York is also mentioned in the media short lists, I'll just say this: As the vice presidential hunt went, so goes the search for a Secretary of State. Not. Going. To. Happen.)

From a cabinet diversity standpoint Richardson, as a Mexican-American, and Lugar, as part of that endangered minority known as Republicans, each would embody a symbol that Obama will want to send in his overall cabinet roster. Still, there are other high profile Hispanic-Americans (Federico Pena?) and Republicans (Colin Powell?) that may fill other key administration posts.

Here's Kerry's big advantage over both Richardson and Lugar, in two words: Joe Biden.

Biden will be involved in the Secretary of State choice -- he probably will even have veto power -- because he's going to be Obama's wing man on foreign policy. He'll want someone he can work with easily and daily. Given the "I'm more experienced" warfare in the Democratic primary debates for president between Richardson and Biden -- they didn't seem to appreciate each other much -- the New Mexico governor is probably in a weak position for this post (and since foreign policy isn't Richardson's only area of policy dominance, there may be other major roles for him should he want to join the administration).

Biden and Lugar have been the ranking members for their parties on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They have a very good working relationship. Each has served as the ranking minority member under the other as chairman, and they've worked particularly closely together on global warming and Pakistan policy. Lugar has also worked closely with Obama on nuclear nonproliferation policy. But I'm not sure that Lugar would accept a situation with Biden as the shadow secretary looking over his shoulder, and nor do I think that appointing Lugar would fulfill the "America's Back" message of Obama's ascendancy.

Lugar has a relatively paltry record on human rights -- his appointment would signal a buzzkill to important parts of Obama's coalition, including the best members of his foreign policy team (Samantha and Zbignew, among them, who carry the human rights flag high), and a subplot drama would begin churning almost immediately upon his appointment that could derail much of the work ahead -- compared to Kerry or Richardson.

By default, Kerry is the front runner and I opine that by every yardstick he ought to be: From the teamwork perspective, a Secretary of State Kerry in tandem with a Vice President Biden have a long-built synergy that would allow them to boldly remake America's role around the world. Both of them, although they're not widely seen as such, are visionaries on foreign policy. If I had to bet which of the three -- Kerry, Richardson or Lugar -- has the biggest list of new ideas for what he would take to the position, I'd put all my chips down on Kerry and the probability that he's already put it in memo form. If Biden agrees with those ideas -- and chances are good that he does -- we may see Kerry quickly named to the position as one of the first major appointments of the administration.

Press hackery and speculation aside: It won't be because Kerry went out on a limb and endorsed Obama before everybody else got on the bandwagon (but that doesn't hurt, not at all; and probably even more compelling for Obama is that Kerry is the guy who gave him the 2004 keynote speech slot that rocketed him into contention), but because Kerry would be the most qualified and enthusiastic workaholic for the position; one that knows in minute detail where the damage has been done -- and where the bodies are buried -- over so many years by disastrous US policy across the world and who has a plan to fix it.

If Obama and Biden are seeking a pro-active and self-motivated Secretary of State in harmony with their own visions, one that will command immediate respect, almost no second-guessing, and have a unifying effect on the rest of the foreign policy wonk world seeking to join the administration, Kerry is looking better and better for the position every day.

In sum: Kerry provides Obama and Biden the fastest route to making real change without provoking unwanted turbulence.

He's the no drama option.

Update: Another factor, because there is a kind of musical chairs going on in the US Senate with committee chairmanships provoked by Biden's ascension. The next three Democrats in line for the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee are, in order of seniority, Chris Dodd, John Kerry and Russ Feingold. It's highly possible that Dodd won't want to let go of his Banking chairmanship, and thus a Kerry appointment could also result in the Senator from Wisconsin becoming the new leader of that key committee. From a progressive standpoint, all three of those guys would be pretty good chairmen, but Feingold perhaps the most interesting.

(Crossposted from The Field.)

Comments

[ChicagoSuz]

My vote goes to Sen. Kerry, as well. Brilliant, comfortable in international settings, speaks numerous languages, low-key, war-hero who won't recommend taking us into unnecessary wars. By all rights, he should've been President last time. He deserves to be Secretary of State.

[Lombard42]

Oh, and before everyone jumps on me for saying "intimidate", I realize diplomacy is the first line of defense, but let's not forget that speaking softly is only half of the formula. You still need a big stick.

[Lombard42]

I strongly disagree with Sen. Kerry being the best option.

The selection and election of Barack Obama has given us a unique opportunity to rectify some of the bad press we've received from the rest of the world ... certainly over the past 8 years and potentially since slavery.

Now is not the time to put another pasty white guy up as our global "face".

Sen. Clinton, Gen. Powell or Gov. Richardson are all better options if we wish to capitalize on the goodwill our selection of Sen. Obama has engendered.

It may be sad or regrettable that Sen. Kerry should be disqualified for being a white male, but it doesn't make it untrue.

And on another point, would Sen. Kerry really intimidate ANYONE on the planet? I'm not sure he could get me to stop blowing leaves in his lawn.

[demianb]

Kerry for Secretary of Ketchup.

[Collette777]

Maybe I'm missing something, I like Richardson, but he seems better suited for something more practical. Kerry seems better equipped to engage, with the international community and our nation, in the complex, patient dialogue necessary for successful diplomacy. Kerry is the best combination, he has a calm demeanor, a strong spine and an elegant use of language. I believe he would stand up to anyone - any country - if necessary. Would love to see Biden, Kerry and Powel working together...

[gisellestwocents]

Negative discussion of Dem leaders is counterproductive to an effective agenda, IMO. Are these R trolls perchance? Hopefully.

Of course Kerry would be wonderful as SOS position. But how much talent does the incoming administration really want to drain from the Senate immediately?

I like Richardson or Kerry and I'm confident that TPTB will work it out .

[SiberianRat]

Yep, I agree.

[HuffaBee]

I would prefer Richardson. I think it would help cement Obama's Hipanic support. R is very savvy from having been at the UN. Also helped with courageous endorsement at a critical time ("He can't win, Bill! He can't win!"). I find Kerry skerry: way too gaffe-prone. He and Biden could turn State into Monty Python.

[Collette777]

John Kerry is the Perfect choice! Just go back and listen to his speech when he announced his candidacy. Talk about a class act. John Kerry is the profound diplomat... Who else has the depth to explore the complexity of global issues while understanding and acknowledging cultural nuance? Did I say Perfect??? The very reasons that John Kerry did not win the election against Bush (maybe he really did win if you consider the voter fraud in Ohio) are the reasons he will be an outstanding Secretary of State. Kerry wanted to have intellectual and emotional and complicated discussions with Americans and four years ago many were not ready to say goodbye to monosyllabic (black/white)conversations. John Kerry will explore all shades of gray. In order to solve complex cultural issues people need to feel that their grievances have been heard and thoroughly understood. Their greivances need to be acknowledged - even if they can't be reconciled exactly as they'd wish - people cannot move forward to a peaceful agreement unless they feel validated. This practice even in a family takes patience as well as intellectual depth. On the world stage there in nobody our country could offer who is better at patient, lengthy, complex, philisophical discussion leading toward peaceful resolution as the goal every time than Senator John Kerry. PErfect, Perfect, Perfect... Did I mention Perfect???

[mlrlmsw]

I second Chuck Hagel. I liked him as a bold, bipartisan VP choice. He's a true "maverick," and had courage to speak out against his own party on the war.

[mlrlmsw]

Won't Obama be reluctant to take too many democratic senators into the administration? Or, would they be back-filled with democrats anyway? I can't remember the process, but there's Biden and possibly Kerry - that would be two democratic senators out of the 58 or so that they have now. I hope this isn't an ignorant question! Should have paid more attention in junior high school government class :)

[berryessence]

SORRY DUDE KERRY IS NOT IT

Lugar
Powell
Richardson
Holbrooke

My best choice is Powell.... He can rewrite a wrong....and DO IT RIGHT!

Lugar.....Excellent foresight and Republican

Richardson.... due diligence to detail

Holbrooke....great eloquence in speaking

GOOD LUCK!!

[super]

veto Powell. Absolutely wrong signal to the world.

[SiberianRat]

I agree. Whether duped or not, he's a co-architect of the Iraq nightmare.

[psipolitics]

Maybe Kerry can make it as Sec of State, if his ego can be curbed a bit. Richardson is a great administrator as he proved at DOE under Clinton. So make him head of Homeland Security, which is really in need of a hands-on leader.

[vtsummers]

I have to agree with those who have concerns about consequences here in Massachusetts. With Kennedy not likely to live out the rest of his term (in health), Kerry a potential cabinet member, and Gov. Patrick a potential candidate for Attorney General....what's left of the democratic party here in our fair state?

Those recently elected to their positions do actually owe something to those who put them there, no?

[Dalicious]

Kerry is also the "no intelligence" option, the "no style" option, the "no class" option, and the "no ideas" option. Getting him out of the Senate would be good for Massachusetts, though.

[ElodieStClair]

This is typical left wing bloggery. God bless left wing bloggers. God bless 'em. But, when it comes to this sort of thing, 99% of the time the conversation is relegated exclusively to a discussion of celebrity politicians as opposed to there being a discussion of who is actually best qualified.

This isn't about celebrity, kids. This is about competence.

The fact of the matter is that both Richard Holbrooke and Richard Danzig are unquestionably more qualified than anyone being mentioned here. The idea that this has been narrowed down to Kerry, Richardson, and Lugar is just flat silly. Not only are Holbrooke and Danzig more experienced statesmen than the three you mention, they bring with them an earned diplomatic gravitas that none of the three others can touch. (The same could be said of Wes Clark also although the Obama and Clark camps still haven't seemed to mesh well.)

If you had a list of Holbrooke, Danzig, Richardson, Lugar, Clark, Craig, and Kerry, Kerry would be maybe 5th or 6th on that list.

[secondedition]

The ability to be the right arm of the President ,so to speak ,and having the ability to work together and mesh have a lot to do with this positon also. Danzig and Holbrooke are very out spoken with forceful ,no excuse ideas of their own. Would they be open to listen and represent the President's point of view or would they be more apt to want to present their own views?
As for Senator Kerry, you know very little about the man, that is evident in your comments. Go back and read his many opinions, op-eds and speeches from the beginning of his senate term to present. This is a man who knows and understands foreign policy inside and out.

[bobilore]

Thank you! Someone has finally mentioned Wes Clark for Secretary of State. I too am so tired of
the constant talk of these celebrity politicians for THE most important cabinet post. NO NO NO
NOT John Kerry! Not Richardson. Not Hillary. Definitley not Lugar. Diversity is fine but should never come ahead of supremely qualified for the job. Even still, on the diversity note, Wes Clark is a Southerner from a red state AND he a military man. It's not always about ethnicity or gender.

Wesley Clark is by far the strongest candidate for State and I'm sure the 'camps' can mesh well
given the opportunity. I do like Holbrooke and Danzig and hope they find their way into service
to our foreign policy team.