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karynnj

(59,466 posts)
44. For what is it worth, the same WP just a few day's ago, said Kerry was a no go because Reid
Tue Nov 13, 2012, 02:00 AM
Nov 2012

wants him in the Senate. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/11/09/harry-reid-could-keep-john-kerry-from-secretary-of-state/

There are so many reasons why this seems more an effort to argue Rice for SOS.

1) Many articles - including the BG - mentioned that there were 2 "jobs Kerry always wanted" and they did not feel the need to explain that they were President and SOS. (In fact, Kerry himself has spoken of a third job that he loves - that is being Senator and Chair of SFRC.)

2) There are many who might feel that Obama is attacking the military by choosing someone who many on the right believe the smear that he attacked soldiers in 1971, though nothing is further from the truth.

3) If Obama has an ambiguous agenda of changing the military and ending the wars, he could best do this with a SOD who the military embraces wholeheartedly.

This may suggest that, in fact, Reid is NOT speaking against it. This makes sense given the Senate count and the likelihood that a great MA candidate could run against Brown's record - that he refused to speak about in the race with Warren.

Note that this is also written with the hypothesis that Susan Rice will be picked listed as a foregone conclusion. It may well be that Obama (or others on the foreign policy team) prefer Rice. It might even be that they (not Obama) realize that Kerry will be a bigger force on the team and their vested interest is for a weaker member of the team.

I think taking any cabinet position has one down side for Kerry. I think he likes things like town halls, meeting people and the political life. However, even as a young man he was fascinated by diplomacy and has demonstrated that he is very good at it. The NYT magazine last fall had a long article on Kerry that shows his genuine, innate diplomatic skill. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/magazine/john-kerry-our-man-in-kabul.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Kerry has been honest in saying that he did want to be SOS in 2008 when he could have denied it. I think Susan Rice would be a good choice, but I hate that many people pushing her have tried to make the argument by suggesting that the choice of Kerry is a bad one.

Then how would that work? mac56 Nov 2012 #1
I think MA would have a special election NYC Liberal Nov 2012 #3
It means Scott Brown would be back. liberalmuse Nov 2012 #5
Jesus H. I hope not. We have enough shirtless FBI agents to deal with. valerief Nov 2012 #26
This message was self-deleted by its author Tx4obama Nov 2012 #29
I belive there would be a temporary governor's appointment if Kerry were to leave immediately Fearless Nov 2012 #43
Bad move Angry Dragon Nov 2012 #2
Scott Brown would run for the seat. acamp Nov 2012 #6
Brown SUCKS. All Republicans SUCK. nt valerief Nov 2012 #27
Ditto - Why hand the seat to Scott Brown? TomCADem Nov 2012 #42
Oh man! The RW-nutjobs are gonna throw a s***fit over that one. Crowman1979 Nov 2012 #4
I agree, and I think they might try to derail it. MH1 Nov 2012 #12
I agree LeftInTX Nov 2012 #17
That's what I think. amandabeech Nov 2012 #39
The Senate usually fast tracks their own thru confirmation but this could still get messy. Gidney N Cloyd Nov 2012 #32
Hopefully OFA can get someone in his Senate seat. nt Comrade_McKenzie Nov 2012 #7
Hopefully.. Mr_King Nov 2012 #22
Love it, and the freepers will go berserk Kingofalldems Nov 2012 #8
Only if he appoints Scott Brown as ambassador to Afghanistan, say, first. n/t Bossy Monkey Nov 2012 #9
Fugg him.l Panasonic Nov 2012 #10
Dark side of the Moon, maybe. WheelWalker Nov 2012 #14
Fuck the freebers The Old Creak Nov 2012 #11
I hope not rury Nov 2012 #13
+1, not minus one. WheelWalker Nov 2012 #15
I'm quite sure that adieu Nov 2012 #20
You remember what happened.... awoke_in_2003 Nov 2012 #24
Yes. That worked so well when Teddy died pscot Nov 2012 #25
The logical (and best) choice is John Hamre eringer Nov 2012 #16
he certainly has the background to be the sec of defense madrchsod Nov 2012 #23
NOT Sure How This Appointment Works Iggy Nov 2012 #18
Leon Panetta adieu Nov 2012 #19
Wasn't CIA his previous post? Gidney N Cloyd Nov 2012 #31
Yes he was. Paulie Nov 2012 #34
Bad Move Joey Liberal Nov 2012 #21
This is not a fact. These are RUMORS. Not confirmed. Even the source hasn't been confirmed! Tx4obama Nov 2012 #28
AND.... would John Kerry even accept that job? groundloop Nov 2012 #36
No. Secretary of State maybe when Hillary steps down but... El Supremo Nov 2012 #30
Take that, swiftboaters! zonkers Nov 2012 #33
I don't like this move on a number of levels wordpix Nov 2012 #35
Kerry doesn't have much of a military background ? JI7 Nov 2012 #37
I agree that these are just rumors davidpdx Nov 2012 #38
Interesting n/t politicasista Nov 2012 #40
The biggest reason to oppose this: woo me with science Nov 2012 #41
For what is it worth, the same WP just a few day's ago, said Kerry was a no go because Reid karynnj Nov 2012 #44
I think Deval Patrick would appoint a caretaker, then run in the special election BluegrassDem Nov 2012 #45
Kerry would be great...but the Swift Boaters would come roaring back to stop him. Ken Burch Nov 2012 #46
Don't think he's suited to be defense secretary Franker65 Nov 2012 #47
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