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Subscribe to RSSJohn Kerry, the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is President Obama's pick to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state after U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew from consideration. A Silver and Bronze star recipient, Kerry has played a role in every major foreign policy debate for nearly 30 years. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Updated 2:20 p.m. -- Saying that his new pick for the nation's top diplomatic job is "not going to need a lot of on-the-job training," President Barack Obama announced Friday his nomination of Senate Foreign Relations Committee head and onetime Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry as the next Secretary of State.
"I think it's fair to say that few individuals know as many presidents and prime ministers or grasp our foreign policies as firmly as John Kerry," Obama said at the announcement at the White House as Kerry stood at his side. "And this makes him a perfect choice to guide American diplomacy in the years ahead."
Kerry, who has been considered the overwhelming frontrunner for the job since U.N. ambassador Susan Rice withdrew herself from consideration, is likely to face few hurdles during his Senate confirmation.
First elected in 1984, Kerry served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy and became a famed demonstrator against the Vietnam War. Since his failed presidential bid in 2004, he has risen to prominence as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, going on high-profile visits to Afghanistan and Pakistan and helping to negotiate an arms treaty with Russia.
"Having served with valor in Vietnam, he understands that we have a responsibility to use American power wisely, especially our military power," Obama said of Kerry. "And he knows from personal experience that when we send our troops into harm's way, we must give them a sound strategy, clear mission, and the resources that they need to get the job done."
The former presidential nominee also served as Obama's stand-in for Mitt Romney for debate preparation during the 2012 campaign, a role Obama referenced in announcing Kerry's new assignment.
"John, I'm looking forward to working with you instead of debating you," he joked.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., leads a hearing Dec. 20 on the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
Rice, the president's reported original pick for the job, faced vehement opposition from some Senate Republicans who questioned information she presented in the immediate wake of the Benghazi consulate attacks in September. Faced with a bruising potential confirmation battle, she withdrew herself from the running for the Secretary of State post on December 13.
Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who had been fierce critics of Rice’s potential nomination reacted warmly to the choice of Kerry Friday. McCain said he has “confidence in his ability to carry out" the job while Graham called Kerry "a solid choice."
If confirmed, Kerry will replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has indicated she will step down from the post early next year.
Clinton was unable to attend the White House announcement, said the president, who noted that she is still recuperating from a reported illness but that she "could not be more excited" about Kerry getting the nod.
In a lengthy written statement, Clinton called Kerry "an excellent choice."
"President Obama and I have often asked Senator Kerry to undertake delicate diplomatic missions and to deliver difficult messages," she said in praising his past diplomatic and political experience. "He has forged strong relationships with leaders around the world. As I have learned, being able to talk candidly as someone who has won elections and also lost them is an enormous asset when engaging with emerging or fragile democracies."
Assuming Kerry is confirmed and therefore resigns from the United States Senate, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will appoint a temporary replacement for Kerry's seat before a special election held between 145 and 160 days from his resignation date.
Republican Sen. Scott Brown, who was defeated in November by Elizabeth Warren, is possible candidate in that special election, while several Massachusetts House members are also eying a run on the Democratic side.
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Kerry is as dumb as a rock but I don't think he can lie as well as Rice did.
oh yes he can.....
I don't think he is as dumb as a rock - and I hope he can't lie as well as Rice did but it is still the Obama Administration.
Good choice. I would support Sen Kerry. Beats the $h!t out of Hitlery.
God Bless Jonh Kerry And the United States of America.
NO GUNS IN SCHOOLS........ lAPIERRE IS F*****G CRAZY
No Victoria....You Are though!
Oh Poor Poor BOB.......... you lost the election remember, why are you still here the gun lovers..killers are on the other vine page with Lapierre
because I enjoy verbal sparring with morons. It's kinda like playing chess with a monkey...
Good one Bob, I think "monkey" would actually be an insult to a monkey.
you're right Joe... I apologize to any monkey out there that thinks I compared him or her to Victoria or any liberal.
The nomination is confirmed, and soon Sen. Kerry get another fortuitous opening. From the rooms of his boarding school to the halls of Yale. To the rivers of Vietnam to the floor of the Senate. To the bedroom of the Heinz widow to the portals of the State Dept., John Kerry is simply an epitomical opportunist. Is this truly the person the President of the United States wants representing our country in foreign affairs, or is he simply the 'last man/woman standing" in the process of political posturing? The world knows this guy is as phony as an American three dollar bill ($3.00 bill). And just when I, as a registered (R) was gaining confidence in President Obama, his decisions and policies, now I am bewildered anew.
John Kerry, the only U.S. officer to put himself in for A PURPLE HEART everytime his hemrroids bled. The only officer to take a company size viet cong force out of action by uncontrollable laughing fits when he shot an M-79 grenade launcher close enough to wound only himself and his fellow sailors.
Couldn't Oblumbles get "Bo" his dog nominated instead??
Kerry is a vain, pompous, arrogant, phoney gold-digger for sale to the highest bidder until bought by Teresa Heinz. With qualities like that and a $7M yacht he tried to hide in RI to avoid paying taxes, he's destined to be a grand sucess as SOS. He and the other hot air king, Obama, are well matched.
Swift boat.
I thought they referred to his boat as a slime bucket?
John Kerry...vietnam traitor and baby killer...
The faster this guy is Swift Boated the better....he'll be making deals with the Chi-coms just like he did with Ho-chi-min back in the 70's.
And the way he ratted out his comrades during his hippie days was disgusting..smokin weed and killing babies...now secretary of state...ranks up there with our dumb as a rock 1st mixed president...
What a country...thanks low knowledge voters.
"perfect man for the post"... I thought Hillary was perfect when he appointed her? Oh, wait, I think she is a woman. No need for on the job training... training? Really. Secretary of State technical school. Get your diploma from the back of a match book. And how does our fine new SOS start out? By pounding congress covering the Presidential hinder yesterday by saying "The State Department has found problems, and are NOW working toward fixing itself". Hey, wait a minute, isn't that on the job training with very bad outcomes for failure? Well, at least all our enemies will be happy to recieve their new holiday package of gift wrapped catsup and plastic medals in the mail. Deck the halls with balls of follies.... la la lalala
No but I heard he put himself in for another PURPLE HEART because his hemrroids flared up again.
Hey Republicans, did you fail to notice that John Kerry was a "Hero" in the Nam-Most of you GOP never served any where, also I failed to mention that the GOP are "Scum", leting the American People down on this "Fiscal Cliff" Budget.
Hey Phillip Fisher.... you fail to notice that everyone that Kerry served with stated he was a coward that was more of a danger to his own men than enemy! that he was a disloyal hippie dope smoking commie sympathizer that dishonored his fellow servicemen and his Country.
Aw Phillip. the only thing worse than not learning the truth is propagating the propaganda. Which you do from your basement room so well.
Phillip, Why aren't all you ignorant liberals crying about how rich he is ?
joe, why is that relevant? Three quarters of the House are rich.
Once again, you mislabel what is being said... Even though you would like to believe that the left hates the rich (which is ridiculous), the position is equity in taxes.
But please, keep up the narrative...
Chip, why was it relevant to Romney? Why should anyone have to pay more in taxes.? Maybe liberals should have to pay more seeing most of these failed programs were of liberals making.
joe, read 197.1...
Chip
read 191
The caustic posts on Kerry in here from the radical righties is more proof of a rudderless party. The party is saying that carry is a slam dunk while the denizens in here are screaming insults.
On the same page? Not even in the same book...
"carry"? What the heck is that? Why do you hate us? Is it because we're different?
I don't think the Republicans are rudderless - they are being steered right over a ledge by the Tea Party
for ever ....stupid....
Romney was too rich (earned) and successful (earned) and vilified for it by the democrats. Kerry gets wealth and privilege via marriage and that's a non issue. Maybe he earned it in the bed room.
BOBWSA, he wasn't vilified for being rich. He was vilified for acting obnoxious and elitist all the while putting on that he's for the little guy.
Of course through his own words, he lied.
Look at him. Do you really think he could earn anything in the bedroom? And Chippy, you're just another hateful, bigoted liberal. Crawl back under your lib-rock in lib-world.
Typical liberal hypocrisy.
Chip, "elitist" that is what every liberal thinks they are. Just look at Obama, smug and arrogant.
joe...
Okay, now you're just flailing.
Not bad. More welfare for a failed presidential candidate. I guess if you can't make it as a president, you become a SOS. Hurray for King Hussein. SOS! SOS! Think he'll make Kerry donate most of his millions to charity first?
catlover, I'm hateful and bigoted? Please explain yourself, if you can.
I had hoped for new, fresh names in an Obama Administration.
Sterling Greenwood/Aspen
I think during the confirmation hearings that he should be "Swift Boated" "and Borked"
Especially about the $500,000 tax bill he tried to evade on his $7 million yacht "Isabel", a 76-foot New Zealand-built Friendship sloop with an Edwardian-style, glossy varnished teak interior, two VIP main cabins and a pilothouse fitted with a wet bar and cold wine storage.
And then there was staged event of him throwing his medals away.
Oh, the hypocrisy of the left.
Shame he got out of Nam alive. Guess Jane Fonda will be his assistant. What a disgrace to any Military service.
Goes with the program, just another one who can't tell the truth but makes way to a top post. Never thought I would see this country so in need to put loosers in places of that require leadership, telling truth and ABLE to think and respond to countries needs.
Think about it, the country put a guy in office with no experience, even at working, failed to be a leader when he became POTUS, and then voted him in again. Go figure, scary.
They felt sorry for him. They knew he needed a job because he lost his Law Licese.
Catsup anyone?
He's the Presidents choice, and as much as you may not like is politics, he is a decent person. Let's stop the insanity that started with Bork.
Bork was an idiot
Bork was a lot smarter than your moron president.
I wouldn't worry about Bork not when you re-elected that DORK.
Ready Set - Lets hear it from the Radical Republicans exactly why you oppose this nomination.
I am sure you have many reasons why this is no good. I think, as a tax payer, I would like to hold your paycheck until you idiots get your heads out of your other place and act like men - gees what a loser bunch of people
You tell them Dumocrats!!
for ever....STUPID... your name explains it all!
Throwing away medals he didn't earn!!!
Trying to evade paying taxes on his yacht.
Just another mega millionaire politician who avoids his taxes and moves jobs to Mexico. All you have to do to excite a liberal is "blame fat cats" and they will support in spite of the facts and evidence. Here is obama's "forward" going t the past to get another reject in high office.
Kerry made his money the old fashioned way-He married it. At least as Secretary of State we don't have a war protester as Secretary of Defense.
So. According to you being a War Veteran take away your freedom to express your beliefs.