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al_liberal

(420 posts)
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:07 PM Nov 2012

Sen Kerry for cabinet anything is folly.

Hear me out on this one. To voluntarily give up a senate seat is madness. He's currently ensconced in MA just as anyone named Kennedy would have been. He's too valuable to us as an almost shoe in for that job to ask him to leave it. A governor appointed interim Senator would be viewed as just that, interim.

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Sen Kerry for cabinet anything is folly. (Original Post) al_liberal Nov 2012 OP
the problem is Kerry isn't a slave dsc Nov 2012 #1
I agree. nt bayareamike Nov 2012 #2
Why are people ProSense Nov 2012 #3
Brown would have to be a quite strong favorite for that seat dsc Nov 2012 #4
Brown is toast! ProSense Nov 2012 #7
Sorry, but you know NOTHING about Massachusetts politics. I do. I don't want a special election bluestate10 Nov 2012 #29
Well, he is a recent loser to Elizabeth Warren Proud Liberal Dem Nov 2012 #8
He lost to Warren in a Presidential year dsc Nov 2012 #14
Kerry's current term is up in 2014. bluestate10 Nov 2012 #28
You are exactly right. Patrick can beat Brown in 2013, maybe. But Patrick will destroy Brown bluestate10 Nov 2012 #30
No one thought that a Republican would win Teddy's seat but Brown did. That's why. n/t Tx4obama Nov 2012 #11
And now he's toast! ProSense Nov 2012 #12
Somehow, you draw that Massachusetts Ds are invincible from that article. Seems like wishful bluestate10 Nov 2012 #31
If Sen. Kerry is the one who prepped Obama for the 1st debate.... fadedrose Nov 2012 #5
Kerry was Obama's debate partner for all three. n/t ProSense Nov 2012 #10
Chris Van Hollen - Maryland fadedrose Nov 2012 #16
Inaccurate. ProSense Nov 2012 #17
Thanks for sticking up for Senator Kerry politicasista Nov 2012 #22
I was a Howard Dean fan in 2004. fadedrose Nov 2012 #24
To each his own politicasista Nov 2012 #33
You're right. It was Biden that Van Hollen coached. fadedrose Nov 2012 #23
Kerry prepped for all 3, but they didn't prep much for first plus Axelrod stopped them when Kerry JI7 Nov 2012 #18
It wasn't Kerry's fault democrattotheend Nov 2012 #20
Obama himself, didn't blame Kerry politicasista Nov 2012 #21
Besides Hutzpa Nov 2012 #6
I agree boxman Nov 2012 #9
Deval. moondust Nov 2012 #13
I think it would be wise not to unseat any Democratic senator right now for a cabinet position cherish44 Nov 2012 #15
+1 nt ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #19
Has President Obama said anything that would indicate that he's MineralMan Nov 2012 #25
He said politicasista Nov 2012 #39
An appointment for Massachusetts Senator is temporary. A Special Election has to be called within bluestate10 Nov 2012 #26
Kerry will then be said to be too old in 2016 karynnj Nov 2012 #32
+1 n/t politicasista Nov 2012 #34
Wanna trade Senators? politicasista Nov 2012 #35
I'm tired of attacks on Kerry as well. NYC Liberal Nov 2012 #37
And also politicasista Nov 2012 #38
I think he would be a great SOS. The legislature can change the seat to a governor appointment. hrmjustin Nov 2012 #27
I absolutely agree! TM99 Nov 2012 #36
+1 n/t politicasista Nov 2012 #40

dsc

(52,117 posts)
1. the problem is Kerry isn't a slave
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:09 PM
Nov 2012

he can quit the Senate. I would prefer to see him not serve for the reason you outline but the fact is he gets to do what he wants, free country and all.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
3. Why are people
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:11 PM
Nov 2012

freaking out over this? Seriously, I think if President Obama appoints Kerry and he accepts, there'll be a good reason for it.

Democrats can and will win his seat.

‘Sen. Kerry is an enormously talented man and a dedicated public servant. I have no doubt he would make an extraordinary secretary of state, but right now he’s making tremendous contributions to our country through his work in the United States Senate,’’ Warren said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/11/11/election-over-talk-mass-turns-next-one/S6E4eXHZgddYlpghbNXI4H/story.html


ProSense

(116,464 posts)
7. Brown is toast!
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:16 PM
Nov 2012

Massachusetts just rejected him. He was an incumbent Senator who lost by 7 points.

Sheesh, fear of Republicans is absurd.

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
29. Sorry, but you know NOTHING about Massachusetts politics. I do. I don't want a special election
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 10:22 PM
Nov 2012

in 2013.

Proud Liberal Dem

(24,338 posts)
8. Well, he is a recent loser to Elizabeth Warren
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:18 PM
Nov 2012

The Republicans in MA would have to decide to renominate him to run again. When is Kerry's term up? Would they be quick to renominate him? Do we have some good standby candidates to run for the seat? Some things to consider before dismissing the idea out of hand.

dsc

(52,117 posts)
14. He lost to Warren in a Presidential year
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:45 PM
Nov 2012

and would run for this seat in a special election the kind he won. He also wouldn't have to contend with the Senate is in the balance thing. I sure wouldn't count him out. It isn't like they have Republicans sitting around ready to run there. If I were a GOP power broker and that seat came up Brown would be the first person I would turn to.

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
28. Kerry's current term is up in 2014.
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 10:19 PM
Nov 2012

By state law, if Kerry vacates, a special election has to be held within 6 months of him vacating. That mean we voters in Massachusetts would have faced the following:
-Special election for Kennedy's seat.
-Defending a Governor that went into his re-election year with a 34% approval rating but won.
-Supporting and electing Elizabeth Warren.

If Kerry vacates, we will face the following:
-Another Special election around the middle of 2013.
-A Senate race in 2014 for a full term for Kerry's old seat.
-An Open Governor's seat if Patrick stays on, or electing Tim Murray for a full term if Patrick leaves early

The risk is that if Kerry's seat opens and we will the special election, good. But if we lose that election, 2014 is going to be a tough slough for democrats in Massachusetts. I am asking the President not to put us in that situation, if he does, no one know what the political outcomes will be.

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
30. You are exactly right. Patrick can beat Brown in 2013, maybe. But Patrick will destroy Brown
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 10:30 PM
Nov 2012

in 2014, if as expected, the economy continues to improve. The unknown is whether Patrick can beat Brown. As little as two years ago, Patrick had a 34% approval rating, I have not checked what is is lately, but it appears to be close to or above 50%. Patrick has a strong statewide organization, the same organization that helped Warren and a north shore Congressman that had family legal problems. But still, many democrats in Massachusetts don't have a stomach for a special election because that would fell that we are constantly in election mode. Democrats could not unseat Scott Walker in Wisconsin because of too many special elections. There is one poster in this thread that is disputing Massachusetts residents and their feelings, but one certainty is that if voters are exposed to too many high profile voting situations too often, they tire and undesired results happen.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
12. And now he's toast!
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:26 PM
Nov 2012

He duped people, some Democrats. That's not likely to happen again...otherwise he wouldn't have lost by 7 points.

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
31. Somehow, you draw that Massachusetts Ds are invincible from that article. Seems like wishful
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 10:38 PM
Nov 2012

thinking to me. Please listen to Massachusetts residents, I have not read a post by a single Mass resident that say a special election is desired.

fadedrose

(10,044 posts)
5. If Sen. Kerry is the one who prepped Obama for the 1st debate....
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:14 PM
Nov 2012

I sure wouldn't want him for Secy of anything....

The Rep who prepped him for the 2nd debate, forgot his name, tall young blond affable guy, he could be Secy of something...was it Chris something?

fadedrose

(10,044 posts)
16. Chris Van Hollen - Maryland
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 12:00 AM
Nov 2012

He was on some tv program where he was introduced as the debate partner of the President in the 2nd debate. He has a ready sincere smile that is rather contagious, as is the President's.

Kerry might have been there, but I saw Van Hollen's influence on Obama's demeanor, if not on his intellect.

Could be wrong, the memory's not what it used to be. Feel free to look it up. I had to go thru an alphabetical list just to recall Van Hollen's name.

Kerry doesn't have the magnetic personality required, nor does he have the gravitas of Mrs. Clinton, or Leon Panetta who had Defense...

He makes a fine Senator. He looks like a Senator should look, and looks as tho he was cast by Hollywood for the part.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
17. Inaccurate.
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 12:25 AM
Nov 2012

Van Hollen prepped with Biden.

Kerry did with Obama for all three debates.

"Kerry doesn't have the magnetic personality required, nor does he have the gravitas of Mrs. Clinton, or Leon Panetta who had Defense..."

That's silly. Kerry ran for President and got 59 million votes, something Hillary never did.

You're comparing Kerry to Panetta?



politicasista

(14,128 posts)
22. Thanks for sticking up for Senator Kerry
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 02:58 PM
Nov 2012

Last edited Tue Nov 13, 2012, 06:00 PM - Edit history (2)

Some are just jealous that the Senator is still relevant. Their loss, Obama and Kerry's gains.

fadedrose

(10,044 posts)
23. You're right. It was Biden that Van Hollen coached.
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 09:45 PM
Nov 2012

But Van Hollen does have a nice personality...

Not comparing Kerry to anybody. He has his fans, and I'm one.

JI7

(89,151 posts)
18. Kerry prepped for all 3, but they didn't prep much for first plus Axelrod stopped them when Kerry
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 12:28 AM
Nov 2012

started making things tougher. but this was more because of their strategy for Obama to appear "presidential" and not too combative .

democrattotheend

(11,605 posts)
20. It wasn't Kerry's fault
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 01:17 AM
Nov 2012

Every account I have read has said that the president just couldn't focus on debate prep before the first debate, that he wasn't receptive to coaching and that he underestimated Romney. Obama himself apparently said it was all on him in calls with donors and supporters after the first debate. I don't think you can put that on Kerry...I am sure Obama doesn't.

politicasista

(14,128 posts)
21. Obama himself, didn't blame Kerry
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 02:55 PM
Nov 2012

It's still unfortunate that some are trying to downplay his surrogate work with Obama/Team Obama.

Some people will just always have their grudges towards the Senator one way or another.

Obama didn't put the 1st debate loss on Kerry like so many of his other "supporters" did. Glad that he and Team Obama didn't listen to the armchair strategists and Twitter warriors and stuck to his/their script.

Keep doing you thang Obama, you too Kerry. Haters gone hate.

Hutzpa

(11,461 posts)
6. Besides
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:14 PM
Nov 2012

he is privy to all foreign and intelligence info as Chairman of the Foreign Relations without the traveling.

We have to find a very solid replacement for him as Chairman and as Senator of MA, he is a tough act to replace no doubt.

I hope they're thinking long and hard about this.

cherish44

(2,566 posts)
15. I think it would be wise not to unseat any Democratic senator right now for a cabinet position
Mon Nov 12, 2012, 11:49 PM
Nov 2012

We need them in Congress right now because the next two years are going to be a dog fight.

MineralMan

(146,116 posts)
25. Has President Obama said anything that would indicate that he's
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 09:51 PM
Nov 2012

thinking about Kerry for a Cabinet position? If not, I'm not sure that's even in the cards. Maybe we're worried about something that won't even happen.

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
26. An appointment for Massachusetts Senator is temporary. A Special Election has to be called within
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 10:01 PM
Nov 2012

a specified time by state law. The Governor did have the power to appoint a person to serve out a term, but that was changed when Mitt Romney was Gov because of the fear that he would appoint a republican to a democratic open seat. The law was changed again after Ted Kennedy died to call for temporary appointment then a special election, that is the law today. Change of the law again by the democratic legislature is not a good idea, that would likely lose the large, vote rich Middlesex county for the party and likely cost us winning the 6 year term when it comes up in 2014.

I can't believe the President is seriously considering taking Kerry out of the Senate and I can't understand why Kerry can't bury his ego for the good of his party. The President should survey Massachusetts democrats about their taste for a special election before opening up Kerry's seat. I am sure the President will see that there is no desire for a special election.

A better situation is for Kerry to hold the seat until 2014 then have Joseph Kennedy III run for the open seat after spending 2 years in the House. Kerry can take international assignments and wait for 2016, when I think we can again win the Presidency, at that time, Kerry can have his SOS job. Joe Kennedy can hold the Senate slot until 2024, when he will be old enough to run for President.

karynnj

(59,466 posts)
32. Kerry will then be said to be too old in 2016
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 11:12 PM
Nov 2012

It is completely uncalled for to speak of Kerry burying his "ego". The fact is that he was listed by many people as the obvious SOS in 2009 - but it was given to Clinton, who had far less foreign policy interest and experience. He has since quietly worked both as a Senator and as a surrogate diplomat for Obama - often with very little attention or praise. I can think of NO ONE at his level who less deserves to have people speaking of his "ego". He has been incredibly loyal to the party, the President and to Massachusetts.

politicasista

(14,128 posts)
35. Wanna trade Senators?
Wed Nov 14, 2012, 01:31 AM
Nov 2012

As much everyone is bashing Kerry over this MA should trade Senators.

You can have two GOP senators in Alexander and Corker, a filthy rich GOP governor (he is really like Romney), a GOP controlled state house/senate, Teabaggers who get elected to Congress (one lied about his mistress' abortion, the others are Anti-Obama bat junk crazy), a heavy red Southern state (TN) where ignorant pols (some DINOs) don't care until every election cycle.

Give us Kerry and Warren, but keep Brown far away up there.

At least you are from a blue state. Must be nice to have a Dem delegation that works hard, but never appreciates its own Senior Senator.

As for the SOS job, the Senator is very qualified, but understand he is also needed in the Senate.

Interesting how no one had a problem with Kerry going back to the Senate doing good work (SFRC Chair, etc). after Obama tapped Hillary, but no matter what he does, he is accused of having an "ego" when he has been nothing but loyal to Obama/Biden and the Democratic party. Funny how Democrats let the media off the hook, when Kerry hasn't said a thing. Go figure.

NYC Liberal

(20,132 posts)
37. I'm tired of attacks on Kerry as well.
Wed Nov 14, 2012, 06:01 AM
Nov 2012

He lost the presidential election 8 years ago, so therefore nothing else he's ever done before or since matters (apparently). His campaign made some mistakes in 2004, but find me one campaign that hasn't. Obama made a few this time around. It's primarily the media that should be blamed. They did nothing but attack him the entire campaign while propping up Bush and giving countless hours of free publicity for the Swift Liars and their bullshit. They breathlessly covered every minor claim the Swift Liars made, while completely ignoring any talk of Bush being AWOL, for which there was way more evidence.

Just what does Kerry have to do to "prove" his loyalty after over 30 years of public service and support of the Democratic Party? I wonder.

(BTW, I am wary of appointing a senator -- any senator -- right now. But that has nothing to do with Kerry specifically.)

politicasista

(14,128 posts)
38. And also
Wed Nov 14, 2012, 02:51 PM
Nov 2012

the GOP memes on Rice are also tiresome.

Interesting that people are so terrified of Porno Brown (there are other Dems there too). Co-sign on being very wary of appointing Senators (or safe Dem governors). Agree with your 2004 assessment. The Senator doesn't need to prove anything (though sometimes it seems otherwise). Kerry can still do good wherever he is serving (or will serve?)

Not to say that our opinions should not be heard, but folks need to chill and let Obama decide. There are so many other issues and people out there right now that need help.

 

TM99

(8,352 posts)
36. I absolutely agree!
Wed Nov 14, 2012, 04:17 AM
Nov 2012

Why would Obama consider this given Kerry's senate seat is beyond me. He is valuable in MA and I know from personal experience what the ramifications of such a placement would mean for the state.

I have lived in Arizona for 22 years, and Jan Brewer is by far the worst governor I have seen. She makes Symington look good, and he was a fucking crook.

When Obama tapped Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security, he deprived the state of a much needed Democratic governor. With the rise of Brewer, we have moved so far to the Tea Party right, that the state and its population are suffering immensely. SB1070 ring any bells here? How about the fact the Arizonans voted via proposition to always fund AHCCCS (state Medicaid) for those who need it, and she and the Tea Party assholes that she ushered in have all but decimated it. Funding for the severely mentally disabled has recently been gutted.

Damage can be done with this type of appointment. If he is left where he is in the senate much more is accomplished. Why risk losing a senate seat now? Think long term as opposed to rewarding a loyal Democrat in the short term.

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