E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
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Now that Rice has withdrawn her nomination to the post, as NBC News reported exclusively on Thursday, all eyes turn to the onetime Democratic nominee.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.
Leave a Comment:
Sen J Macain go old veitnam I will do anything to get out of Nam christan white pure and other word of the tea party will not find John Kerry to be pure so back to tea party one.
the mental defect vote went strong for Obama, as you can see
Susan Rice backs out because she has too much baggage following her. And like "Swiftboat Me KKKerry" has any less baggage. You may as well keep your sorry a$$ just where you are senator. You ain't going anyplace.
France is a good example of the dirt poor Sewer our Rotten Left is heading us towards.
Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper reports that government spending in France is now 57% of GDP.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/french-politicians-lose-touch-with-reality-as-crisis-deepens-a-872413-2.html
Needless to say, the average worker makes $10 grand less a year there.
57% of GDP
poor barry's a team list is a bunch of losers, we'd be better off closing the united nations and bring everyone home where their safe
The US is not safe anymore for the creators. It is safe for takers like Obama phone guys like gop loser, a real class act.
Kerry - He's a rich boy - and he's gonna be a star when Barack Obama makes him the next SS
His money makes Romney look middle class
The Nobel Prize in ignorance goes to MarcusD . Kerry's fortune is his wife who inherited it from her late husband, Republican Pennsylvania Senator Heinz. Did they have TV, radio or papers in your trailer park ?
Yhbua Duhba - That post - made so little sense that it's embarrassing that you took the time to type it
You come across as one of those selfish, racist liberals who can't see the obvious - sad
Talk about caring on one hand and the mirror shows a complete opposite - you are a hypocrite - own it
lets see a swift boat fake hero and sponger of a dead guys recipe should fit perfectly into the theme we have seen these last 4 years.
Oh look a loser replacing a loser.....
outdoorsman253
He has already been banned as a guy named MRABILITY. I guess he is setting himself up to be banned again. I'm thinking he is some teenage kid just trying to get a rise out of the adults. He acts like he has an IQ of about 35 or 40.
Really? That high, huh? LOL!!
Rice is a liar plain and simple. Good luck to Senator Kerry.
Susan Rice out? Wow that really breaks my heart.
When are we going to get on with the MURDER investigation of four Americans?
Clinton & Obama, when are you going to quit hiding behind every excuse under the sun and come show the American people your blood stained hands? This is one disgusting administration but hey what do expect out of the
Democrats"Party of Destruction".Now let's see. Why would the Republicans endorse John Kerry? Well, let's see. There's a seat in Massachusetts they could win. And the chess game continues. There isn't a serious leader in the entire Republican Party, and they are stuck trying to drive this big American bus from the back seat again. Majority in the House, working on a majority in the Senate. That's what this entire thing is all about. As usual the GOP has put themselves ahead of the American people, who have already spoken in the election. If you aren't smart enough to beat the Democrats, and we already found out there isn't enough money in America to "buy" their way into office, than just make stuff up, like with Rice! The GOP has been reduced to the tricks and chicanery of a used car salesman. That's all they have to offer America. How embarrassed do you have to be before you walk into Congress with a bag over your head? Let's find out on January 2nd.
Three Senators Ayotte, McCain and Lindsey have nominated Kerry for Sec. of State and I trust President Obama will not approve their nominee.
It is time to throw the GOP a curve ball. Make Col. Powell the Sec. of State. They don't like him away because he voted for Obama!
Another good choice, Jim.
NBC's take on current events is a lot like this gem.
Lion Attack!
A Harley biker is riding by the zoo in Georgia when he sees a little girl
leaning into the lion's cage.
Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of
her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her
screaming parents.
The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and
hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.
Whimpering from
the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to
her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.
A reporter has watched
the whole event. The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, 'Sir, this was
the most gallant and brave thing I've seen a man do in my whole
life.'
The Harley rider replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really, the lion
was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger and acted as I felt
right.'
The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed.
I'm a journalist, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front
page...
So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do
you have?'
The biker replies, 'I'm a U.S. Marine and a
Republican.'
The journalist leaves.
The following morning the
biker buys the paper to see news of his actions, and reads, on the front
page:
U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS
AFRICAN IMMIGRANT
AND STEALS
HIS LUNCH
That pretty much sums up the liberal media's approach to the news these
days!
We don't need anyone from either side as secretary of state ...all we get are bad decisions from people who want to make a decision based on their political party...we need an independent..
This was the GOP plan all along: Get Rice out, get Kerry in, take his senate seat and get a Republican to replace him. Simple. Devious. Malicious. Pure GOP.
yep..thats it
even if kerry doesn't get the sos spot, he's also been suggested for sod. ------ and even if a republican doesn't fill his seat, it's still a pretty severe loss of seniority.
Who ever gets the job will be another American Wiener
bonor just talk to Obama ..he said in a secrete meeting don't worry Obama i will be getting on the mother ship ..12-21-2012.we will be out of here
Kerry should stay in the senate to prevent Brown from getting back in. The GOP is a disgrace to the country. The tea party are a bunch of "Tal-i-ban-Repub-li-can" nut cases. They should be (along with those who wish to succeed from the USA) packed off to Somalia where they can "build it themselves".
America will be the next Somalia if conservative order is not restored soon.
Mister,
Assuming you can read, maybe you should go study the Constitution. The Republicans did build this country based on that very fine document. Its the
Democrats, Destructive Party that is doing everything in their power to tear it down. As they say some town in Kenya is looking for their village idiot and his followers. SEE YA!We all know the real reasons for the bull@!$%# from the republicans. This is payback to President Obama for winning a second term. Plus Rice is a woman and black. 2 things that the republicans hate The only reason they would agree to Kerry is to try and slip a republican into his senate seat. Do they really think all Americans are that stupid as to not see through their games?
Kerry? Horseface? Please. The dude got two nicks in Nam...a freaking band aid... heck I've cut myself shaving worse! Plus, the dude marries into wealth...wife "Heinz" and to this day won't buy that ketchup.
let his wife buy him the post, she's worth billions
Just another loser for nomination!
NOT NO BUT HELL NO !!!!!!!! John Kerry as a commy sympathizer during Vietnam,him and his girl friend Hanoi Jane.Both traitors,I guess he would fit right in with Obamer.
Both were on the right side in not supporting the war. It took more courage to protest the war than it did to go along to Vietnam.
prog.1 are you serious? the stoned college hippies flower children....come on do you know what it takes to walk into a fire fight with men - soldiers you know dead everywhere you look and you must keep moving forward........when you live through that, then you can say silly things like that, but naturally you wouldn't with that experience.
You had a weapon to defend yourself with the protestors at Kent State had no weapons to defend themselves with,
just the good old boys never meaning know harm ..since the day they were born..never knowing what to do the day they were born..just going around the craziest men in town..that's just little more than the law would allow..just the good old boys never knew damn thing since they were born ..they called them selves the tea party in town...that's all she ever wrote before the party went down..sing along folks
Mister mean needs to look at what his wonderfull liberal idiots believe in...he should be real proud....they even SMELL bad...you guys got fooled by a clown who isn't going to do for this country what you think he will...unless you wanted him to totally screw it up....you'll get that...Obama is Carter on steroids...and everyone knows how he screwed things up....
just the good old boys never meaning know harm ..since the day they were born..never knowing what to do the day they were born..just going around the craziest men in town..that's just little more than the law would allow..just the good old boys never knew damn thing since they were born ..they called them selves the tea party in town...that's all she ever wrote before the party went down..sing along folks