Senator John Kerry, prominently mentioned as the next secretary of state or defense, should stay right where he is.
Republicans hope to block the nomination of the top White House choice, UN Ambassador Susan Rice. They are holding a Rice nomination hostage for more information about what the president knew about the Benghazi attacks when he sent Rice onto Sunday talk shows with what turned out to be misleading information.
Comments
I agree with this article, except that it almost sounds as if Senator Kerry's most important function is keeping Scott Brown out of the Senate. In fact, Senator Kerry's work in the Senate is vital for both Massachusetts and the nation. As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he already plays a central role in advancing our interests in the world. For Massachusetts, he's been a tireless advocate on issues ranging from fisheries to gay rights to support for biotech. And most important, he's the strongest voice in the Senate on the issue of climate change, which threatens the entire planet. We need his leadership on this issue. If the Senator would prefer to be Secretary of State, he's obviously qualified, but it would be a shame to see his career come to an end in four years when he can accomplish so much more, for so many more years, in the Senate.
To the contrary. We should get away from the tradition of having 'senators for life'. Change presents an invigorating challenge.
The public, and the parties, get lulled by the routine of just reelecting the familiar long-time elected official; and when eventually the unavoidable comes about, making the transition becoimes all the more difficult.
Stay down Scott Brown.
By the simple fact that Republican have been lobbying for Kerry tells you all you need to know on their strategy. Taking from his Senatorial position is far too risky -- a virtual political suicide -- considering that in a special election Democrats may lose the seat to a Republican. Despite the fact that Kerry may or may not be the best candidate is irrelevant because it would make the party vulnerable in the next election cycle -- something the President cannot afford to allow happen.
John Kerry would make an excellent SOS. If he is asked to do so, he should do what he wants to do. If he accepts the job, it's up to MA dems to run a good candidate for that seat. Personally I do not believe Scott Brown has the best interests of the majority of MA voters in mind. He should just go away.
John Kerry cares about one thing: John Kerry. His only role now, to the president, is to keep his seat securely in Democratic hands. John Kerry did deliver Barack Obama to the presidency, and for that, he should never be forgiven. Politics is all this is about, and politically, the president is best served keeping Kerry in the senate for life.
I disagree, Mr. Kuttner. If John Kerry were Secretary of State, he could spend all of his time in DC. Without the occasional commute between Boston and DC, Kerry would be responsible for fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
The Boston Globe continues with its support of the Massachusetts Democratic Party - we just can't have republicans in the house or the senate - better to have a ethically challenged congressman (Tierney) than a moderate Republican Tisei.
John Walsh (head of the democratic party in MA) could have just as easily written this article.
Sadly we have become a one party state - that refuses to investigate itself - all of the corruption prosecutions are brought by the Federal Government not by the state.
The "fourth estate" is now just part of the Democratic party - sad :(
Enough with the political dance already. Obama won and unless the person he selects as SOS is totally unqualified he gets who he wants. If he wants Rice, he gets Rice, if he wants Kerry he gets Kerry and the Dems. put up somone who can win, but that's up to the people of Mass.
As to Rice and this trumped up problem, McCain is embarassing himself, just stop. It would be nice if both parties would get down to what the election was about. Extend the tax cuts for the middle class raise the rates on upper income folks, reform entitlements and begin work on reforming the tax codes. The election is over. Obama won handily. Quit the whining and lets move on.
except Obama doesn't want to reform entitlement - his proposal was to discuss them later (which means never) - go off the cliff - we need to pay for our spending NOW!
It does not mean "never" there have already been cuts in Medicare. Now I might agree with you vis a vis the liberal Dems. in Congress, but I think Obama is open to changing entitlements and has in fact agreed in the past to changing the age of entitlement or means testing. It's fun to be political and all but there is some reality out there. That reality is not Obama being in the way of entitlement reform, but liberal Dems, just as the Tea Party types are in the way of the tax cuts. The big question will be is, Can Obama move Pelosi and those in her camp. and can Boehner move the crazies in his camp.
Marty Meehan or Niki Tsongas could be good challengers to Brown.
A ham sandwich would win against a republican in Massachusetts.
"tsynchronous" I think you are confusing posturing with actual negotiating. Everyone is publicly posturing at this point for the benefit for each parties group of crazies. I don't think SS will be on the table but Medicare will be.
As to the cliff I don't have a real problem with it. I have in fact been in favor of across the board tax increases since the beginning. I also wouldn't mind seeing defense taking the hit. But I do recognize the economic implications of an across the board tax hike. My favorite would be a two year extension on middle class tax cuts and then letting them expire in 2015. But don't see that happening with an upcoming 2016 election. There's always an upcoming election so unless some courageous fellow wants to say, "hey you folks want it, you gotta pay for it." I don't see the necessary income showing up unless we reform the code overall.
You don't get enough income by taxing the rich - you need to go after the middle class. Actually easiest solution - bring bank Simpson - Bowles - which Obama ignored. US government spending as a % of GNP is at a high we have not experienced since WWII. Spending has to go down.
Margaret Thatcher once said that 'The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money - we are there now.
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Why John Kerry shouldn’t be nominated - becuase he is an idiot?
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Haha.....once again you bring a knife to a gun fight
The situation in the Senate is too fragile. I would prefer to see Senator Kerry remain in the Senate until a suitable Democrat is available to succeed him. I see no such Democrat now, except possibly Barney Frank. I cannot imagine what Senator Kerry would see as the advantage in being Secretary of Defense. It represents an enormous workload and most of the major problems are somewhat intacttable. To be Secretary of State, on the other hand, a position for which Senator Kerry is eminently qualified, requires exhausting travel. The obvious toll it has taken on Hilary Clinton has to give one pause. As the #10 U.S. Senator in seniority, and with his expertise in foreign policy, John Kerry is invaluable where he is.
Great, Kerry was told to remain where he is because of just being a democrat, not because he'd be missed or brings something to the table other than a vote.
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John McCain's actions are outrageous. McCain is interfering with the nominating process by opposing Susan Rice before the President nominates her. He is advancing his own political agenda, which is to help his good friend, Scott Brown. It's time that John McCain put country ahead of party.
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If anyone lied it was the CIA take it up with them. Oh wait they didn't want to make public their findings at that time. But hey who cares whether its classified or unclassified. Apparently not John McCain just give up that classified information because you know it. Of course then John would be carrying on about giving up classified info. A big stew of political nonsense brought to you by the folks who lost.
Imagine Scott Brown is influencing the direction of the entire country. This is something we will never will say about Warren, who they continue to say was put there to be a guaranteed vote for Obama and the democratic agenda.
McCain needs to work out his frustrations on the economy. Where is my pension? This embassy mess is becoming an obsession for our board Republicans who have voted themselves raises and will never lose their benefits.
After reading this, I think the title of the article should be "Why John Kerry should be nominated"