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In reply to the discussion: Poll: Scott Brown Crushes Ed Markey In Hypothetical Special Election Matchup [View all]karynnj
(59,503 posts)There is no way that Kerry - like ANY US SOS - will not do all he can to avoid a war. Now let's correct your misinformation. Condi Rice was not SOS in March 2003, Colin Powell was and NO ONE suggests that he was 100% responsible. The only person who could (and did) take the country to war was GWB. As others have pointed out to you, MacNamara was NOT SOS, he was SOD. In addition, he could not have escalated the war without the president's approval. I am happy that in Kerry and Hagel, you have two people who will do all they can to avoid a war. (I note that you do not assign 100% responsibility for either the escalation in Afghanistan or Libya to HRC - I guess in her case you realize that though she had input in both cases, Obama made the decisions.)
I am sick of your insane argument that Kerry got this by either undermining Susan Rice or lobbying with the media. The fact is that the media lobbied for Susan Rice - even as they in 2008 and 2012 mentioned that JK was an obvious possibility. I concur with whomever in the JK group said that JK was most qualified in 2008 - more than HRC.) As to not wanting to be Senator, that is idiotic. He has said that often that he found being a Senator rewarding and he loved the job as Chair of SFRC and was one of the best they ever had.
I assume you did not watch the hearing. One repeated comment of Kerry's was his goal to work closely with Congress. I have watched hearings since 2005 when I found you could. One of the complaints has been that the administration has not been as available as Republicans AND Democrats wanted. In addition to the spurious Benghazi arguments, one thing that is also true is that Rice in her 4 years as UN ambassador did not build strong ties to Congress.
There are very few people with Kerry's PROVEN diplomatic skills - that were highly praised by Holbrooke's top aides and Ambassador Eikenberry, a career diplomat, who described him as the best diplomat he has ever seen. Then add in foreign policy knowledge that the entire country saw in hi first debate with Bush. Add in that he CAN work well with Congress. Can you list even ONE person better on those accounts? Or, maybe, Hillary Clinton just has to stay.
Not to mention, Markey is certainly not unqualified. He has been an outstanding PROGRESSIVE, liberal Congressman, who has led on the environment. It is pathetic that you put him down - then suggest that Democrats should elect Scott Brown. (!)