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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Now that Rice has withdrawn her nomination to the post, as NBC News reported exclusively on Thursday, all eyes turn to the onetime Democratic nominee.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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Let's see what fact-free "beliefs" our Republican friends are going to come up with to disparage this one. It must be nice to believe stuff. I'm just glad I don't know how that works....
Please ......Even Kerry himself looks in the mirror and says "you're such a tool"
If Kerry were to become Secretary of State, the Republicans are daft to think that the people of Massachusetts would forget that they just sent Scott Brown packing by a sizable margin. I would hope that Brown has enough self-esteem to not put himself through that again. Scott Brown didn't win his seat in 2010 as much as Coakley lost it.
YUP the Peoples Republic of Massassachutes elected a fake Indian. What, one wonders would be a good companion in the Senate for a Cigar Store Indian? Maybe a Department Store Manneguin ! ?
If the dems are looking for big time liars Kerry is as good as Rice unless the swift boat guys get on his butt again.
I remember the dumb stuff that came out of his mouth back when he thought he could actually be a president, he was a load then and he's a load now. Do you think somebody that dumb got smarter?
Chuck Hagel is a great choice for Sec. of Defense. He's a sane Republican who actually put on a uniform and fought in a war. It will be a nice return for him before he accepts Hilary's invitation to be her running mate in 2016. Count on it. They were close in the Senate before he(like many other) sane Republicans retired rather than be included in the clown group currently making their decisions.
John McCain is a thorn is the side of this country. He has no room to criticize anyone - he is disgusting - I am sick of looking at him and listening to the old fart!!
He has no credibility because:
- He selecting a dimwit from Alaska for a running mate - (shows he's stupid)
- He didn't complain about Colin Powell's misinformation about weapons of mass destruction that lead us to the costliest war in history. Why go after Rice for saying what she was told to say..no one did this to Powell...and the results of the misinformation was much more costlier in blood and treasure!!
He turned Benghazi into a political ploy to get another Republican seat in the senate - and if that conceited self serving Brown - "THE LOSER" gets in after the people of Massachusetts said no, then why the hell even hold elections?
- He ruined this woman's reputation and career for one mistake that was not her fault.
Are we to accept the fact that John McCain, the person who gave us Sarah Palin as a Vice President, attacked and destroyed the nomination of Susan Rice? Our President had better not appoint McCain to any posts within the boundaries of the United States or he will ruin his 4 year term.
Because of arrogant asses like Harleygayvet....the dems will start losing control.....the American people do not like poor losers...but they really hate poor winners...and your bunch will get their due soon...you've overestimated your popularity....people who voted gave Obama the win...don't forget....there are a helluva lot of voters who didn't vote that will vote AGAINST dems next time....especially after they see his ideas for this country unfold...
"next time" mcbeef! "next time"really!?!? The fat lady began her song on November 6, she will be long finished with it well before 2014 rolls around! Whatever could possibly be done to restore our Country by that point , would resemble a dune buggy that was made from a Cadillac!
This latest and, arguably, greatest experiment in Self-Governance in a Free Society is complete! Saddly it, like those before it, has finally failed! hopefully some future generation in another country can learn from our mistakes and Finally do it righr! I will never live to see it, nor i fear, will my children or grandchildren!
Now the Grand Obstructionist Party will start to attack Kerry.
why would they do that if they want him out of the senate ???
We might remember ronpal, that the term "Progressive Logic" is one of the Worlds Ultimate Oxymorons for very good cause!
We say we are a nation under God,but under God means God comes first,and
belief in God can't be forced on people,not even by wars,belief in God is a free
will choice.Yet, Obama accepts the rebel's war in Syria who are also fighting a
religious war in God's name,even to spread their belief in God,and their so
called democracy.Even a democracy under God means God comes first,so even a
belief in democracy can't be forced on people by wars,belief in anything is
really a free will choice.The Bible says God is love,this is the same Bible they
swear on taking public office,and love just as belief in God can't be forced on
people,it's a free will choice,no one can force anyone to love anyone,not even
by wars,it's a choice,just as belief in God.And you can't have a separation of
Church and State to fght wars,separation of Church and State is not putting God
first,as belief in God requires,and that is also a choice made out of love for
God.Nothing is equal to God,so God always comes first.
Your ramble has nothing to do with the topic nor reality.
Hillary Clinton supported Kerry for the job and thought that Rice was not "friendly enough" according to a report in the Chicago Sun Times. To what extent Obama took advantage of Rice, we may never know. The story she was given was not true and they sent her out with it.
chip read post 367.3 ty
Republicans contiue to blame the loss of the election on everything but themselves but if they can't win aganist a weak president with a high unemployment poor economy when will they be able to win?
good question, ..... of course, there are other political races in a variety of states, which, while not as prestigious as the presidency, still contain a limited amount of political power. ----- i suppose it depends on whether a person is seeking national, state, or local recognition.
They won't! This show is over! All that remains is who in the World Community will clean up the remnants!
To bad none of them know WTF there doing, if the American public had of been smart they would have Voted Everyone out of office and hired new blood, instead of believing the obvious lies and crap that paid for there votes.
best post of the day except my own.
He shouldn't even be a citizen, or in this country. He went to Vietnam, then said all the OTHER veterans are war criminals, but not him... in order to ingratiate himself with activists and get elected.
He would sell his mother into slavery and eat his own children in a stew if that's what it took for him to have money and power.
He's the worst, or best, example of the kind of mercenary trash in our government. And he shows how our system became so corrupt, because it's not a sacred calling, it's a career for the very worst power hungry, greedy, corrupt scoundrels.
Make him defense secretary?! He's a traitor to his own brothers and he hates them and they hate him. That's like making Adolf Hitler ambassador to Israel.
actually, if you read kerry's exact quote from his official statement, he admits to doing his own share of atrocities. ------ however, along with that remark, he implied that all soldiers were guilty of that ---- and that's the part of his statement for which i can never forgive him.
I think he added that in later statements to "lend credibility" to his claims. He originally claimed everyone else was a war criminal but himself.
i'll have to go back and read his statements again. ----- it's been awhile, and you could be right.
I believe he made statements all over the place for some time. Then he was called to testify before congress because of his claims. I think this became his IN to politics. He told the anti war activists and the congressmen and senators who were playing to the activists what they wanted to hear...
Well, score another one for the old white Republican senators....got rid of the black, intelligent woman just like they tried to get rid of the black, intelligent man....they succeeded with one and lost with the other...so let me get this right...Kerry is the same guy that ran for President and the Republicans practically called him a traitor and yet, now because he is white and a man...he is ok...the Republicans continue down the same path. I am not saying that Kerry will do a bad job. I just find it disgraceful that this woman was sold out for such pettiness.
Playing the old "Race Card" how sad. I guess Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice were really old white men. Also Hillary Clinton supported Kerry for the job and thought that Rice was not "friendly enough" according to a report in the Chicago Sun Times.
Kerry is who Obama wanted all along
Will Republicans again "swift boat" John Kerry if he is the nominee?
Bob, there are other qualified candidates besides Kerry. Now that Republicans have stirred up rancor and hostility toward Rice, hoping Obama will pick John Kerry, look for Obama to come out with a Christmas surprise. Obama will not pick Kerry just to make Republicans happy. Obama is too smart to be played like a fiddle by the GOP.
mikevietvet, I do remember that on tv (plenty old enough)...
The medals he threw were medals of other vets that could not make the demonstration.
His position on the war shifted, and rightly so...
i gotta back up and read what you posted to rex,i believe you said he threw HIS ribbons away,the point is no matter what, he made us(me and my real blood brother look like our time for our country did not matter) never liked him since the time in washington and more than likely never will.
chip ----- if you read kerry's book, you would know he also threw away his own, as well as those from other vets.
ronpaul...
Really? He just showed a journalist his medals not too long ago.
it sure would be nice to get new people in DC. Tired of the same old do nothing idiots! I think most will die in politics. Beats working for aliving I guess. Kerry? PLEASE!
There are other qualified candidates besides John Kerry
The sacrifice by men in wars is not equal to the Sacrifice by God of Jesus Christ on the Cross,the Bible says nothing is equal to God.And in the process of sacrificing in wars,innocent people including fetuses and children are killed in wars,and Jesus says if you do it to the little children you do it to me.The Bible says,God doesn't kill the innocent,not even by mistake as men do in wars,God doesn't make mistakes. So wars are not of God,so Jesus says,if you lose your life for my sake,even opposing wars,being antiwar,you gain eternal life in God's Kingdom where there are no wars.
If Jesus came back to life and is in paradise how was it a sacrifice? If most people were given a guaranteed death and then return to eternal paradise after 3 days they would gladly take the death back to life guarantee.
Amen to that, Al-3017247-Sharpton! And, God stood by while hurricane Sandy and Katrina flooded everywhere, killing people, and destroying property.
Kerry was actually Obamas first choice but they thought he would have trouble in the nominating process,Hanity actually described this scenerio on Fox months ago,I think we chalk one up for Obama for knowing how to use the back door,in your face McCain
Now, now, Rex and Chip. Just for the record, unlike many Vietnam era combat vets who actually earned the title (13 month tours of duty, and sometimes several of these), patrician looking gigolo John barely spent a few months in country. There's a lot to irk many of us about this empty suit, low C grade, Yalie, and wannabee Francophone. But one of the worst is how his ilk climb the ladders. In his case, exaggerating a relatively tiny combat role, marrying do little rich widows (repeatedly, no less), and lots more. Such opportunist tactics work ,---just ask fake Native American Granny Warren. Stiil, it would be great to get this loser out of the US senate, and out of Mass. And perhaps we'd get to give Sen. Scott Brown, a real broadminded legislator, for a GOP-er, another shot. What a country. Hopeless, but not serious. Who said that? Aa.
Obama Big mistake to put Kerry in the office!!!!!!
No the mistake was actually McCain's for not putting Rice in that office.This time big John walked into a trap and took the bait hook line and sinker.Smooth move by the dems
Why would John McCain, Lindsay Graham, and everybody else think Obama should or will pick John Kerry? Do they believe the president cannot think for himself and make decisions contrary to public opinion? If McCain thought he could bully Susan Rice just so John Kerry would be nominated in order to create an opening in the senate seat, he certainly read Obama wrong. When McCain and his rat pack stirred up rancor and hostility toward Susan Rice, Obama had already changed his mind, even if he was inclined to nominate Susan Rice. Look for Obama nominating someone else other than John Kerry.
Well ....President Obama gets to do what He Damn Well Pleases now......He Won, He won BIG
2 million votes is not big, where did you get your eduication DIng-Dong-School ?????
Incompetence out. Band aids for bangles in. Check.