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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Now that Rice has withdrawn her nomination to the post, as NBC News reported exclusively on Thursday, all eyes turn to the onetime Democratic nominee.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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Hey that Menendez dudes Sex offending illegal alien intern isn't doing anything.
Kerry is the perfect pick for Obama. Like Obama, Kerry is a traitor, a coward and an anti-America Marxist. They don't come any more pernicious.
There are many ways to spell stupid @!$%#. You chose SoFLConsultant. Get a life OR an argument you can justify.
SoFL yeah nice there, calling an honoured veteran a traitor. Classy.
Anti America? In what sense, sir? What do you have to back up your statement? Proof?
Or are you just making a ridiculous comment based on the intelligent accuracy of the fecal matter you pulled out of your anal orifice, I.e. your mind???
One...
don't bother.....I have yet to see this supposed "consultant" jusify any of his drivel that spews from his fingertips. He/she is not an intelligent individual.
Hmm. Kerry. Perhaps.
NBC is an anti-America, communist organization that feels their sole duty is to deceive the public about Obama's socialist agenda
We wonder why we can't build consensus in this country when we have nitwits making laughable, blanket statements like this?!
One wonders what you are a "consultant" for......perhaps prepping for the end of the world in a few weeks? Or, is there some other insane proposition you claim to have knowledge about?
SOFL, you do know that the US is a socialist nation dont you? Look up "socialism" in the dictionary and think real hard about the meaning.
Governament is responsible for, police, fire dept. , infrastructure, medicare, food stamps (which are mostly given out to poor republicans in southern states; same people that bitch about others getting them)... and a few other things that ya know make up a modern society.
Those things are socialist. So if you really dont supprt that system then you should leave the US, you should have done it after WW2 since it's been thay way ever since. But then where would you go? Most nations in this world have socialist tendencies.
History does not lie, only the interpretation of it, arrived at though a subjective process where the values and beliefs of the interpreter are the basis for it.
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their president."
We dont have anyone with integrity, honesty or honor in Washington DeCeit. All we have are politicians who serve the agendas of big business and their own personal agenda's and power. It's been that way since JFK. Maybe longer. Kerry should be an exception ? He blends. That's all.
Israel is building more settlements in East Jerusalem in preparation of annexation of Jerusalem and declaring the city as the capital of Israel. This means perpetual war in the middle east. Israel is charting its own course to armageddon.
obama turning the middle east over to the muslim brotherhood means perpetual war in the middle east!!!
Gary...
So are you saying we should be stepping in and preventing these countries from standing up for their own rights? Exactly how many countries are we going to go to war with?
You are on record as saying you are FOR anti-democratic regimes......I find this funny because goobers on the right find themselves boxed in by saying Obama did something wrong by allowing people take control of their own country...but still defend going into Iraq for forcing democracy as we saw it should be. Not surprisingly, the GOP argues out of both sides of their mouth (and their ***).
We stood to have a much better outcome in Iraq, before obama handed it over to Iran!!!
obama's middle east policy has done nothing but go down hill since!!!
Gary...
What planet do you live on? Are you actually saying we should've paid billions to stay in Iraq....and furthermore, are you ALSO saying that we should be doing MORE Iraq style invasions of these other countries?
If so, you are a true idiot.
I believe you established your own idiocy when you put words in my mouth???
The problem is , gary is that obama has projected nothing but weakness since 2008. They have absolutly no respect for little barry in the middle east- they consider obama exactly what he is - a weak incompetant boob. There is no doubt that the unrest in the middle east isnt by coincidence - it happening now - because the US is leaderless
Gary....
Where did I go wrong?
PC/NUT....
What exactly would you say Obama SHOULD have done in the Middle East?
well for starters - a more organized withdrawl from Iraq - there was nothing for us to gain remaining there but obamas political stunt created a power vacume thats been filled by the muslim brotherhood and Iran. Second - obamas blatent contempt of neteyahu has emboldened muslim terrorist in the region. Third - our embassys been sacked and our ambassedor murdered - obama spent weeks lying through his teeth to call it anything but what it was - a muslim terrorist attack.
Like what?!? So you are advocating for MORE spending in Iraq?
Your second two 'points' are simple right wing gobblygook. The Benghazi argument is idiotic....Obama called the attack an "act of terror" in the Rose Garden on 9/12/12 and Susan Rice repeated the declassified talking points from the CIA; unless you're arguing that the Administration should disrupt the investigation?!
Plus, your coupling of muslims and terrorists is offensive. But, it shows the true lack of intelligence, understanding and/or care you idiots on the right have. It is YOU clowns that even justify making these things into a holy war by pitting all Christians versus all Muslims. You embody everything the U.S. should NOT be about.
It is embarrassing to call you a fellow American.
PC...Obama is projecting weakness?? What weakness would that be? When he made the decision to take Osama's head off? Or was it when he wiped he floor with your weak azz candidate for president? You think Obama is weak? Well just prepare yourself for the angry black man in the White House who doesn't have to worry about running for any public office ever again. Be careful what you wish for. I don't think you are going to like the kick azz version of Obama any more than you liked the punk azz version of Obama.
ABSOLUTLY FALSE - NICE TRY what obama said in the rose garden was a vague refrence to 911. obama then and for the following two weeks repeatedly blamed the attack on a video. The only thing Im coupling is muslims to muslim terrorism - when your scream allah akbar as you slaughter - you cant seperate yourself from Islam. TRY AGIAN , "dr"
wiped the floor?? a slim little win after the dirtiest campain ever run with the help of a fawning media willing to lie for him. Now to correct you on bin laden , little urlke had to be prodded for 2 weeks before he finally did what ANYONE would have done. The kickass version of urkle - LOL - just drop the kickin and you got it!
PC/NUT.....
How many times have Christians murdered in 'the name of God'? (I say this as a Christian myself)
There are over 1 billion muslims in the world...to say these radicals who commit these acts of terror represent all of the Muslim faith is downright obscene.
As I said before, the dolts on the right are everything that is wrong about this country....stupidity, bigotry, close-mindedness. It is a dangerous combination.
We keep doing the same stupid thing over and over. Kerry is jewish. You don't send someone who is jewish to represent us in the middle east. It is throwing salt into an open wound. Do you think Israel would trust and accept a muslim U.S. secretary of state. Yeah right.
You need to do some actual fact checking!!!!
Sorry Gary....but based on previous posts....you cannot use the term "fact".
Kerry is a jew???
What exactly does the GOP stand for now? Oh yeah, tax cuts for only the wealthy and witch hunts that solve nothing.
Sad thing is there are still people who actually support these nimrods (I apologize to all other nimrods out there...equating you to the current GOP isn't fair to you). But, keep in mind....these are the same goofballs that still watch FOX "News" even though they were lied to for months about the election.
Think of it....after November 6th, it was PROVEN that EVERY FOX "News" anchor/pundit gave misleading information for weeks and months about the Presidential election...and these same followers turn them right back on the next day. Pure, utter stupidity
"dr" logic (thats funny) demonstrates typical liberal uninformed and ignorant of whats actually going on . If he was really paying attention he,d know that the Republicans have been protecting EVERY tax bracket from being slammed with more obama taxes - ALL brackets - not just the rich. the "dr" falls for all the obama lies
PC/NUT
Good morning!
Good to see you are starting out with the same ole, sam ole from you guys.....
Tell me this.....every person in DC and in the country wants tax cuts for the lower/middle classes to stay in place....there is a bill in Congress passed by the Senate sitting on Boehner's desk....why on God's green earth would you NOT pass what everyone agrees on?!?! It is mind-boggling to me.....
yes "dr" - the same ole same ole - the truth has a habit of being a little redundent. Im sure much is mind boggling to you - let me help . Yes everyone does want taxes to remain the same on middle and lower. Unfortunatly pres. urkle is holding those rates hostage by trying to use them as leverage to slam upper income with obama tax hikes. The Republicans are wise enough to know that this would be a job killer and is the LAST thing you do during a recession. Clear it up any?
PC/NUT...
Good! You agree with me; so then why not pass the bill?! ALL economists say the markets would be helped tremendously by verification of the purchasing class's tax cuts.
These tax cuts have been in place for over 10 years......then, why aren't we swimming in jobs now?! You are trying to argue that we should keep in place taxes that have proven to be ineffective at the cost of $1 trillion over 10 years....in other words, spending $1 trillion on a program we KNOW fails.
That is flat out stupid.
"DR"!!!!! obama could pass this bill ANYTIME he wants to - again - now pay attention - urkle is holding this hostage because hes determined to slam upper brackets (actually urkle would love to slam ALL brackets like he tried to in 2010) with more obama taxes. GET IT??? Where on EARTH are you getting the idea that these rates are ineffective? Federal revenues ALWAY rise when taxes are kept low. Review your history - revenue went up when Kennedy cut taxes , reveue went up when Regean cut taxes, revenue went up when Bush cut taxes. Nothing take money out of the private sector(where the jobs are) the the federal government sucking it up
What bill are you talking about you knothead? I am referring to an actual bill that is written on paper, passed by the Senate, and sitting on Boehner's desk. If Boehner (in the two days he scheduled House members to work this week) wanted to bring that to the floor, he could.....they'd vote on it, Obama would sign it by the weekend.
I truly question if you have suffered from some sort of head trauma.....you simply make things up in your mind (or FOX does) and you repeat them as fact. This statement is blatantly false and you could find out in about 20 seconds if you really wanted to.
Good God trying to cipher through your mania is painful......your sentences don't make sense. First off, your history is dead wrong.....Look at the last 20 years....Bill Clinton has slightly higher tax rates on the wealthy and there were 23 million jobs created.....GWBush cut taxes and just over 2 million jobs were created in the same time frame.
We have two working models to look at......and you dolts want to pick the latter that was about 1/10th as effective. Words cannot describe how stupid that is.
started getting your "news" from something other then the view, "dr" wht Ive informed you on is absolutley 100% fact. Although I rarely see Fox - it would be a good starting point for you - far more credible the obama shills like msnbc
PC/NUTJOB...
None of what I talked about was from MSNBC....unless you think MSNBC somehow controls job numbers from 20 years ago?
The problem is you refuse to look at these numbers because it doesn't fit your narrative. I'd love to have a genuine, rational conversation...but how is that possible when you won't even acknowledge simple numbers that are NOT political? Quick answer is....it isn't.
I make no effort to speak for the GOP, first!!!
I take it we are switching topic now, second!!!
I do depend on Fox news as one of my sources, third!!!
I do absolutely support tax cuts, especially since obama has not put fourth any serious cuts and I can only lmao at his request to be given control over the debt!!!!
John Kerry, Seriously the worst decision ever, this guy is an idiot!
I agree, but he is not a jew!!!
wrong mary - obama was the worst decision EVER - the guy is an idiot
pc you are correct but were were actually talking about kerry!!!
You and Earl are both correct though!!!
Rice is dirty just like obama
The source of the cancer is revealed!
For a guy that "doesn't speak for the GOP", it seems you reading John Boehner's last press conference.
Explain how tax cuts for the wealthy (that have been in place for 10+ years) will suddenly harm the economy?
If you say "yes" it will....you are then saying that the Obama economy HAS been creating jobs, unless by magic these same tax cuts that haven't worked will suddenly kick in? But, if you say the economy has NOT been creating jobs...you're then making the argument that these tax cuts have NOT been effective and need to stop. You can't have it both ways......
Sorry champ, both the CBO and CRS (non-partisan groups that I'm assuming know a heckuva lot more than you or I on these subjects) came out with separate reports stating that tax hikes on the wealthy will have basically no effect on GDP.
dr. idiot your head up comrade obama's azz is perhaps admirable in your eyes
but his and your opposition is much greater than what you can bring yourself to admitt!!!
dr idiot switching topics is one thing, lmao!!!!
Scary Gary,
Just once try and actually argue something.....not make blanket statements that any know-nothing boob could make; actually argue something. That actually means not only making a statement...but following it up with evidence to support your statement.
If you think Obama is a socialist (obviously)...then explain why. You call him "comrade" Obama; OK.....what about Obama is so unusally "socialist"?
I have never said obama was a socialist, I have all ways said he is a marixist!!!
You tell me why he is not!!!!
That isn't the way it works genius....if YOU make the claim, YOU have to prove it. Good Lord, it is like arguing with a 2nd Grader.
can I play? obama is a socialist - he admits to this in dreams of my father, but if you couldnt stomach reading it - just look at the political model he follows . First obama favors massive centralized government, an all powerful government that has its tenticles in everything - take for instance the mother of all beurocracies obama care creates. second BIG tell - obama is in full support of redistribution - a cornerstone of marxism, socialism and communism. GEEZ - are you REALLY a "dr"?
Dr idiot, I previously responded to your stupidity and you typically switched topics, so you are dead to me!!!
PC/NOT, you are much more patient than I am, I simply play here attempting to irritate these idiot as much as possible. I used to attempt to be reasonable.
Time for breakfast, see ya'll later???
kill them with kindness Gary - whats more infuriating then someone patronizing you like a child - try it and just imagine the "dr" stomping around his bedroom till his mom screams for him to knock off the horseplay
LMAO, I understand the concept, just no longer capable.
While I totally agree with PC/NOT, I also believe in dealing with stupidity, with stupidity!!!
I have no intentions of converting anyone.
Got to get ready for work have a good day!!!
PC/NUTCASE....
I love this....evidently Obama is a socialist by.....
Obama utilizes the PRIVATE insurance market and simply sets up exchanges (or states do) so people can actually compare companies. To me, thosesounds like free market principles. A "socialist" would've completely done away with the private insurance market altogether.
The ole' redistribution line. Right now, income inequality is at the highest it has been in decades. Corporations are reporting record profits. Where is this supposed "redistribution"?
PC....you can't just say something, you should be able to back it up. If you are going to talk about redistribution....OK, where is all the blatant evident that this is going on? Or, did the progressive tax system start under Obama?
You sir, are a joke.....a bad, sorry joke.
Rice and obama were trying to cover up the fact that they should have acted sooner. Obama talked rice into telling a lie for him..... now she is caned
Earl...try getting your facts from sources other than FAUX News for Dumb Fux. The graffiti on the men's room wall would even be more factual so you can start there.
Not Kerry please! He is a self-righteous egomaniac. Its a Republic (an) plot to gain his Senator's seat in Massachusetts. Anyone remember Scott Brown?
The left is never happy.
rich69
"He is a self-righteous egomaniac" ? ?
Did you fail to notice the (D) behind his name? This character defect is included, along with many others such as hypocricy, in the Progressive "Job Description"!
If you think they are unhappy now, just wait untill they discover what they REALLY voted in!
Geez...Its true...they will never be happy...ps...I have looked all over this site...FoxNews is right...there is nothing on this site regarding the domestic terrorists or acts that took place in the Michigan Right-to-Work union upheaval....you seen anything? This MSNBCPRAVDA is really cool...huh.
I understand why Obama tried to get Rice. She lied for him and he wanted to reward her. Plus nothing would have made him happier to stick it to the GOP...
But moving to Kerry makes me think they are running out of anyone on the left worth the position. Kerry will not be effective. The foreign leaders will not like his boring monotone, arrogant, snobby attitude...
But I can't blame Kerry either. I would do anything to get a way from the wife of his too...
yet he ran for President.
Yeah and he lost to George Bush too..
Wait a minute. A strong Democrat, who was nominated by his party to run for President, becoming Secretary of State is not OK with the left on this site because three top Republican approve.
Please tell me what you want then. You are never happy. Maybe Republicans should have embraced Obama then he would have lost the election.
Obama should stick to his guns and stay with Rice. I hate the fact that the super moran McCain believes he can pick who he wants. What he really wants is another WAR. That's the only thing he cares about.
Kerry is a poor pick.
Yet the left complains the Presidency was stolen from him. Why not a poor pick for President.
We forget so fast
That's a sucker play by the Republicans. Find someone other than Kerry.
Umm.. he is ok to run for President. The left is so messed up.
Republicans want Kerry as Sec. of State so Scott Brown can get back to the Senate, MA voters would elect Brown, basically diluting the Democrats in the Senate. Remember, MA voters had Romney as Governor, speaks volumes about their analytical skills...
Did I, somehow get the incorrect results from the November election? I was under the impression that the voters of Massassachutes voted Brown OUT, in favor of a fake indian! I find it hard to believe that an electorate willing to replace Brown with a Cigar-Store Indian, would just months later re-elect him! More likely to elect a Department Store Mannequin ! Not that it matters all that much!
What a joke you CONs are. Ms Rice has shown more class the the majority of you will ever show in your whole, miserable lives. She withdrew her name out of love of country. That's something McCain and the rest can't say.
You all think you know so much about Benghazi. You''re just squealing about it because Rush is, which makes you even more ignorant then Limbaugh because you're so weak minded you believe him. You are truly to be pitied.
LOL
Hey, komrad Dennis Price! I know your kind - you see, I am a former refugee from a communist hell and I know all about you. And of course you like that typical product of affirmative action, that nincompoop Susan Rice.
Yeah, but she will never, ever be the SoS...
And no one really knows about what happened in Benghazi because they have lied from day one...
Marcx
The very fact that a no nothing like you hates her makes her qualified for the job. Nothing like having to deal with a bunch of ignorant twits like you who have zero idea what goes on in Government.
Get in touch with us when you actually have your own opinion, not what Faux or Limbaugh told you. What a band of half whits you people are.
I love it when some dufus calls me Komrad. Tell you what, goose step on down the road and find a cross to burn so you can dance around it like it's a May Pole.
AH Dennis, master of the Alinsky rant! Spouts vitriol, rhetoric and innuendo, but absolutely nothing substantive what-so-ever!
The Benghazi incident, while very important, is only the latest bad decision Rice has made. During the Clinton Administration, while working at NSA, she TWICE rejected the Sudanese Foreign Ministers offer to arrest and hand over to us bin Lauden, clearly BEFORE 9/11! Again during the Bush Administration she was insturmental in withholding, intelligence, again in relation to bin Lauden, from the State Department!
Ted
Proof of that please. Not just some BS crap from a tea party chain email. I'm honestly not expecting anything from you though. The bar for any kind of realistic information from the low information, clown car passengers is set very low.
By the way, she who? Ms Rice wasn't in government during the Bush administration. Just another annoying bagger spreading lies and BS.Have you always been this ignorant? I suspect so. Another home school failure.
I think the youngsters posting here don't even know Kerry was close to being President. Or selective memory. Or stupidly. Take your pick.
I can name several who were close to being president, but still would not be effective. McCain is one of them...
So in your warped feeble mind, anyone who ran for president once is highly qualified for anything???
Then let's set up Ross Perot to be our next SoS...
No...just saying he was never really qualified to be President yet the left voted for him.
I agree. Point taken
John Kerry - is there any lower point to which this country will fall? That bloviating gasbag, that functional moron, self-proclaimed war hero who jammed his finger on the machine gun and then gave himself a medal, who mowed down a 10-year old boy running away from him, and finally was excused after 8 weeks of "war" as being unreliable and cowardly. The idiot who voted for war before he voted against it? Never had a job in his spoiled rich life - well, rich since he married an heiress. He will be ready to follow the directions of the desgnated White House komissar (or czar) in charge of foreign policies. He is bound to enjoy the perquisites of his position while doling out our billions to various jihadist governments.
And the scary part is he was almost President. The left are so clueless
I mean really- this is the best this country has to offer the world? How pathetic we have be ome in our eyes and the eyes of the world. But he will fit in with the rest of the communists and socialists in the world just fine.
Has Obama been banging Rice or something? They both seem to have a hard on for each other.
Obama knew she had no chance at getting the nomination. Just trying to stir things up. Anything to make Republicans look bad. Dems do it on their own.
1111
nothing about kerry?