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Jason Reed / Reuters
Sen. John Kerry waves at the end of his speech during the final session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on September 6.
Updated at 7:01 a.m. ET: When he ran for president, many in the GOP slammed Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., pilloried for his late opposition to the Vietnam War and his famed flip on the conflict in Iraq. But, as criticism mounted against U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice as the apparent frontrunner to become the next secretary of State, Kerry was publicly embraced by Republican colleagues in the Senate as a comparatively slam-dunk candidate to replace Hillary Clinton.
Now that Rice has withdrawn her nomination to the post, as NBC News reported exclusively on Thursday, all eyes turn to the onetime Democratic nominee. An official close to the process told NBC's Andrea Mitchell late Thursday that Kerry is now almost certain to get the job. "There were two people on the list," the person said. "Two minus one is one."
In her withdrawal letter to the president, Rice said she was convinced her nomination would prove "lengthy, disruptive and costly" as Republicans have raised questions about her role in the public response to the 9/11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The exclusive NBC News interview with Rice aired Thursday on Rock Center with Brian Williams.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News' Brian Williams, Ambassador Susan Rice described the moment she called President Barack Obama and told him to withdraw her name from those he is considering nominating as secretary of state. Rice defends her comments made about the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya and describes what it's been to like to be in the center of a political firestorm.
In a statement, Kerry praised Rice as an "extraordinarily capable and dedicated public servant" and alluded to his own past political battles.
"As someone who has weathered my share of political attacks and understands on a personal level just how difficult politics can be, I've felt for her throughout these last difficult weeks, but I also know that she will continue to serve with great passion and distinction," he said.
EXCLUSIVE: Rice drops out of running for secretary of state
Elected to the Senate in 1984, Kerry rose to national prominence as a foreign policy expert when he returned to the Senate after his failed 2004 presidential bid. The chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee since 2009, he has made high-profile visits to Afghanistan and Pakistan and helped negotiate the new arms treaty with Russia that was signed in 2010.
Respected in the upper chamber and nationally as a shaper of the nation's foreign policy, Republicans have indicated that Kerry would face little opposition to be confirmed to the secretary of State post. "I think John Kerry would be an excellent appointment and would be easily confirmed by his colleagues," said Republican Susan Collins, R-Maine, late last month. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, a close ally of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, declared that Kerry would have "an easy time" being confirmed in the Senate.
Kerry's confirmation would likely not come without some minor re-litigation of past controversies. One of Congress's richest members, he was painted as an out-of-touch patrician by his presidential foes. The onetime Navy lieutenant was criticized by opponents during his campaign for his high-profile protests of the Vietnam War, including his nationally-covered challenge to a congressional panel in 1971 to defend the deaths of men "for a mistake."
Kerry worked closely with the president in the just-finished election, playing Romney in debate preparations and had been seen as a potential choice to head either the State Department or the Department of Defense. Earlier today a top Pentagon official told NBC News that former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel appeared to be the likely choice for secretary of Defense.
NBC's Chuck Todd details the events that led up to Susan Rice removing her name from consideration for the role of U.S. secretary of state.
But the main headache for Democrats if Kerry is appointed will be the triggering of a special election in Massachusetts next year to replace him. Democrats recently celebrated the ousting of Republican Sen. Scott Brown, who won a January 2010 special election to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. Elizabeth Warren bested Brown in the heavily blue state by a margin of 54 percent to Brown's 46 percent.
If Kerry is picked, Brown will be viewed as a formidable Republican candidate to replace him. A wider bench of Democrats, including former Senate candidate Martha Coakley, may vie for the nomination.
But whoever wins the potential replacement race would have a grueling path, as would voters weary of statewide contests. Another special election would be the state's second in three years, and Kerry's successor would be up for re-election again in 2014.
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prog.1 of course....you weren't there so you don't know sh--....you are the basic model for the double standard,hypocritical liberal....how sad.....no one wants to hear your old lines anymore...
My how far we've fallen. It's sad to read posts where people are still defending the Communist in the White House. Realism isn't even a concept in the minds of Democrats anymore. Still blaming the GOP even though the GOP doesn't have any power to do anything.
Here's the latest from our wonderful brilliant president:
The new U.S. military handbook for troops deployed to the Middle East orders soldiers not to make derogatory comments about the Taliban or criticize pedophilia, anything related to Islam and not to advocate Women's Rights. What? I thought Obama loved Women, yeah Women's Votes. He could care less about your right not to be murdered.
Even better: Under White House orders, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) destroyed instructional material that characterizes Muslims as prone to violence or terrorism in a government-wide call to end Islamophobia.
There you go, I've never heard Obama tell anyone to defend Christianity or not to offend Christians or Jews. It gets more hilarious every day when people claim Obama's not a Muslim. He's Muslim through and through and is destroying America from the inside.
Now as far as the Secretary of State. Where did you people come up with the GOP is for Kerry? I know they didn't want Rice, but Kerry is worse. John Kerry the first Secretary of State to have received a dishonorable discharge from the Navy. The first SoS to throw his medals away. The first SoS to stand up and tell lie after lie about American Soldiers fighting in Vietnam. The first SoS to conspire with the N. Vietnamese to end the war. The first SoS to commit treason. The first SoS to fake an injury to get a purple heart and get out of Vietnam.
Did you brainiacts know that Medicaid is now 25% of the Entire budget, $400 Billion each year and rising. Twice as much as the Defense budget. What was the reason for needing Obamacare if we already spend this much on the poor uninsured. We've been had. At least some of us realize whats happening to our Nation and want to stop it but then there's those of you who would follow Obama over the "fiscal cliff". Got it!!
I attempted to find even one factual statement in you your pissy little hateful tirade. I could not.
I realize you can't post such pure bull@!$%# at FOX as they don't allow posts.
Thus, you come over here with your delusions in an attempt to communicate with your fellow idiots. Seriously, at least come armed with facts. You owe that much to yourself.
Republicans tend to start wars that take generations to pay for. They are the gift that keeps on giving - but then so is syphilis.
republicans get us into wars ??? ----- the dems have done a fair job of that themselves ----- WW1 - wilson , WW2 - roosevelt ( even after campaigning saying he wouldn't ) , korea - truman , vietnam - johnson
Kerry's qualifications for any position:
1. Totally without morals
2. Totally without character
3. Totally without scruples.
4. Has an IQ about 3 points above broccoli
5. Does not have the intelligence to run a small kiddie ride properly.
Just the qualifications Obama is looking for!!! Next!
John Kerry looks and has the personality of Frankenstein's monster-he's like a @!$%#ing robot!
No, he is not Romney..... AND he served in Nam instead of peddling a bicycle across France. Next.
Cactuscat is too generous for Kerry's IQ...such a damn liar like the Clintons and the Obamas.
I hear that Henry Kissinger is available!
Awesome candidate, but he doesn't work well or waste time with self-righteous demonic superstar Presidents.
The RepukliCONs want Kerry so they can try to take his seat in the Senate. Do NOT give it to them, do not appoint ANYONE from the Senate. And putting someone as dumb as Ayotte in there is too dangerous to the country.
Instead appoint Arne Duncan to the position.
Ourdoc.... I can find only 1 mistake in your post. You misspelled RepublKKKans.
rewriting history are we ??? ---- the KKK was initiated by southern democrats, not republicans.
Hey, Obama... Let Kerry keep his senate seat. Nominate Bill Clinton.
Bill Clinton is still trying to figure out what the interpretation of "is " is. Let's just give Bill a few more years to interpret the English language. Besides, Bill's idea of balancing a budget was to fleece surplus entitlement funds to offset his overspending. We don't need more of that.
Now we have dumb, dumb and dumber
No, Romney, Santorum and Gingrich were cast aside to the dungheap of history.
I don't see it as 'Casting Aside'... I see it as more of a flushing of Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich.
The US is going to select someone threw is war medals away during a protest rally while it was filmed? Isn't he the same who exaggerated his heroism during the Vietnam war? We not need a person like him to go any further than a BS politician.
Don't you love it when a republican badmouths someone who went to Vietnam and then votes for a draft dodger like Romney?
Hey, Obama... Let Susan Rice keep her job as ambassador to the UN. Let Kerry keep his senate seat to prevent any possibility of a republican taking it. Nominate Bill Clinton and watch republican heads explode with anger. But it won't matter. There is nothing republicans could do to stop his nomination.
Oh brother does it get any better??? We are in a world of crap...
WHO CARES WHO IT IS.... Nothing ever gets accomplished. We dish out billions in aid to Africa and the middle east and we get nothing for it. We simply line the pockets of their current dictator and his entourage. They partied in the street watching the planes attacking the US on 9/11 and say we got what we deserved.
However, the first time they get into trouble the US is the first one everyone expects to fix their problems by sendng them our weapons, money and in some case soldiers to bale them out. In the end, another dictator gets thrown out and they get another one just as bad to replace him. Then they all return to blaming the western world for all their problems and celebrate every time their homegrown terrorist kill and barbarically behead westerners.
Reminds me of the punks and wanna be gangsters in the inner cities. They despise the cops and don't want them in their neighborhoods. However, who do you think they call the first time they get into trouble they can't handle? YUP, The police and they complain they don't get there fast enough.
Africa and the middle east are going to have to settle their own problems with no involvement from any outside govt. Once they know they understand they are on there own maybe they will try to settle things peacefully if they know that if they don't it's their responsibility to wage their own civil wars just like in the US did a couple hundred years ago.
GREAT! He goes from nominating a traitor to a coward! What the hell is wrong with Obama?!?!
Right... Only a coward would go to Vietnam. And only a hero like Romney would be a draft dodger.
Traitor and a coward? I'd love to see you say that to their faces.
Someone mentioned Hanoi Jane earlier. Or better yet Ted Turner. Now that would be fun.
He is only informed of the constitution and laws of his motherland, Indonesia, where imprisonment for blasphemy against Islam and imprisonment for political dissent are routine and expected. His constitutional law classes were a little off topic I'd gather
lilian, you can go to sleep knowing that Obama will never run for President again. There, feel better?
No he will just suspend the evil White Anglo constitution that oppresses the minority so that his people might be free
WTF? Let me guess, Lillian... You support the Tea Party. Right?
Oh OICY: I'd support anyone who'd vow to the UN General Assembly (especially a US President who did) to restore 14th Century Islam like Omniscient Obama. Remember his vow "The future must not belong to those who defame the prophet (sic) of Islam." 9/25/12 President Obama address to the UN Gen Assembly (full text at Whitehouse.org)
And don't forget the concept of 'defame' for Islam is and usually is construed to be thoughts, words and conduct. So, OICY are you wearing a burkha for Obama yet?
No, I'm wearing a Led Zeppelin t-shirt. Like a real American.
RepubliKKKan heads explode very easily. Watch FOX for an hour any day of of the week and you will see how true that is.... OR just read the posts here. lol
Reality is not the strong suit of these cretins, as their reaction to the election prove.
No matter who Obama nominates, they will piss and moan as usual. It is their mantra to do so.
Bottom line... @!$%# em... they lost. They now get to wallow in their own hated as the reast of us move forward.
"The future must not belong to those who defame the prophey (sic) of Islam." President Obama's comments to the UN General Assembly on 9/25/12 [Talk about head jobs] Or vowing to Karzai to track down and hold accountable and then doing so, those US troops who dared to follow US military regulations and actually burn a copy of a 'holy' Koran all while being required to burn Bibles to prevent Bibles from falling into the hands of Muslims who consider Bibles offensive to Islam (In opposition to 1. Establishment Clause, 2. Equal Protection (differing standards premised upon group identity Islam versus evil Chrisitianity) and oh the 3. Ex Post Facto law of making it illegal to burn a copy of a Koran where military regulations require all trash including religious texts of Bibles ect. to be burned as trash.
And every bowing, kowtowing rectal stretch of the omnisicient one. But that end is not the head exploding is it?
Speaking of exploding heads, wonder if Carl Rove has calmed down yet?
Obama should really hit the republicans where it hurts... Nominate Dennis Kucinich to head the EPA.
Now watch the republicans continue their obstruction by attempting to stop Kerry's nomination.
Obama shouldn't risk democrat control of that Senate Seat. Obama should nominate Bill Clinton and really get these republicans angry.
Bill Clinton has a permanent position in the Obama Administration in the Lincoln bedroom
Rush Limbaugh sure did a number on your brain. Is that what he was talking about today?
As long as the obstruction remains in the bowels, then the deep bending at the waist makes some sense
Has Rush Limbaugh been giving his listeners pointers on how to take it up the Wazoo again?
We have many many public pics of President Obama grabbing his ankles for foreign dignitaries and grinning widely.
What a s**t hole of a news place msn has become! I can only comment on crap I don't want to? When I do want to comment on a story they post, I cant, I have to go onto twiiter or fb which I don't use! msn has let me know how crappy and self centered they are!!!!! msn is gone from my favorites.
Isn't MSN running any stories on Lady Gaga for you?
Hey Bugsy.... go post your feelings on FOX.
OOPS!!! You can't do that, can you? lol
Ever wonder WHY they won't let people discuss issues? Of course you didn't. You are too damn stuid to accept the truth.
McCain has been in the Senate long enough to know that Rice had absolutely nothing to do with Benghazi, she was only the person presenting the information given to her by the CIA. She had NO responsibility for Benghazi. She was, and is, the US Ambassador to the United Nations. She is a career diplomat, a Rhodes Scholar and a Stanford alum. For McCain to insult her intelligence and her integrity is to admit his own poor character. He should be ashamed of himself. This was a despicable character assassination by a man who has demonstrated his own lack of character. McCain, I am embarrassed to admit that I once admired you. You are not the hero I believed you to be. You are only another bottom feeding political hack.
You need to remember that FOX News has these republicans convinced that Rice organized the protest and personally led the attack on the embassy. It wouldn't shock me to find out that Sean Hannity has been telling his audience that Rice even killed these four people herself.
McCain barely graduated from the Naval Academy and has the nerve to question Rice's intelligence? In fact, if McCain's father were not an Admiral, I doubt it would have made it at all.
I'm shocked they didn't kick McCain out when he blew up one of our carriers while sitting in his plane. At least make him pay for it.
It makes no sense that The President of The United States would direct a person who had no knowledge nor responsibilty on an issue as grave and important to the public as the grotesque murders of four US Embassy personnel including the Ambassador on the anniversary of 9-11, to discuss, clarify and explain that event.
Try another idiotic excuse.
So you admit that Susan Rice was not involved in the fiasco at the US Embassy in Libya? Then why did you republicans attack her?
OICY: I propose that Susan Rice was an active participant after the fact in the murders of the embassy personnel by providng a cover story to the public, knowingly and willfully. Try that for a common murder in the states and see how far, 'I was just following orders' would get in your defense.
I hope that Obama finds someone else other than Kerry. The Republicans want Kerry's seat and they would most likely get it if Kerry becomes Secretary of State. Kerry probably could do the job very well but my feelings are screw the Republicans.
I have lost what little respect I had for that old man John McCain, he has turned into another scheming political hack.
If Romney was too rich to be President, then John Kerry is too rich to be S O S. And he didn't even earn his money.
No one ever said Romney was too rich to be president. We said he was too much a slimeball with no core beliefs to be president.
"The future must not belong to those who defame the prophet (sic) of Islam." President Obama comments on 9/25/12 to the UN Gen. Assembly (Full text at Whitehouse.org)
And don't forget poor 12 yr old 4'2" 120 lbs Treyvon who looked just like the son he always wanted (when he was beating evil whitey)
Lillian... You are a real piece of work. I can see exactly why you are a republican. You fit in real well with the rest of their hard core crazies!
bunch of simple minds. this exactly what the government wants to keep us devided. no organization no problem. how stupid are we?
Look on the bright side... Maybe someday republicans will enter the 14th century and only be 700 years behind the times.
tom... I'm not sure how stupid you are since I don't know you, BUT your comment leads me to believe you are not a brain surgeon.
Read some of his past posts and you will know exactly how stupid he is. He's mad at unions because he can't buy Twinkies any more and the price of a loaf of bread is now $200 because the Twinkies plant closed.
oneofthespooks:
Your picture suggests you've had a frontal lobotomy. Maybe you should re-evaluate your own IQ. I believe they only allow people with an IQ over 80 to post here, but its Wednesday evening, its Advent, and there are always exceptions to the rules on special evenings. Feel fortunate!
You don't need an IQ over 80 to post here. We let you post here, don't we? How much more proof do you need?
dr821... that's all you got? You don't like my avatar? no real argument or debate?
Cool... FuhQ and your brain dead lot. lol
Insane....Did I hurt your feelings. I'm so sorry! It looks like you have your little buddy OINKY to protect. Just keep a check on those anger management issues. Maybe you two should get a room!
OINKY! Thanks for letting me post here. I forgot who I was talking to. Just be careful who you pal up with though. You may end up catching rather than pitching.
I would really like to meet you face to face, dr821.
As if President Obama can or would promote a Caucasian to a political office in the United States. The last election, every political pundit proudly proclaimed, signalled the end of any Caucasian participation in the federal elections. No Caucasian may properly represent the Democrat party in any capacity. And why are any Caucasians still on the nationwide news shows? It is ridiculous to still see white faces after President Obama was elected to a second term
I have seen some truly stupid comments here. Yours rates with the best of them.
" No Caucasian may properly represent the Democrat party in any capacity."
Did you hear this bull@!$%# on Rush Limbaugh or was it FOX News that filled your head full of this sh*t?
what is your point?
Teabillies are really funny.
What's poor lilian going to do when Obama nominates former Senator Chuck Hagel to head the Defense Department - he's not only a Republican, he's a white Republican (aren't they all?).
Complain that Rev Wright or the Black Panthers need the job, they have priority in hiring under Affirmative Action requirements
lillian... please proceed. lol
Romey did and he buried himself. It's what RepubliKKKans do... open mouth and insert foot.
Fold up the white sheet and put it in your linen closet. Turn the garden hose on that burning cross. Commit yourself to the nearest psychiatric facility immediately. You are suffering from an advanced case of terminal bigotry and ignorance.
Obama appointed Republican John Huntsman as Ambassador to China, one of the toughest foreign service assignments there is. The Republicans would be hard pressed to oppose his nomination as Secretary of State!
They could try. Huntsman believes in Science. That should disqualify him with the GOP.
Huntsman had too many brains to EVER win the RepubliKKKan nomination. Thus, he was the first out. lol
After all she susan Rice did withdraw her own name which becomes a hay day for the media circles for the next days to come. the media is going to speculate, assume, and merely guess why! President Obama is smart enough to not appoint John Kerry.
Obama should make sure Kerry keeps his Senate Seat. Obama should nominate Bill Clinton.