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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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Had Kerry or Al Gore been president of the United States, we would not have had George Bush. This country would have been in a better condition.
Both would have rolled over for bin Laden and we would all be doing maditory time in mosques or prison or dead. Still might if we do not wake up soon...
I guess we Americans were just destined to be punished one way or the other.The Trey of fools,Kerry,Gore or Obama!
Do you do stand up on the weekends?
Oh no, another Kennedy.
Replacing one joke with another!Our foreign policy since Obama took over has been abysmal.It is no longer ally centered or even centered on the best for America.It's is based on making sure no one thinks America is leading and are ,instead, willing to be a part of a pack.The pack may include enemies,rogue state leaders,terrorist,former enemies and thugs.We waited in Libya until the terrorist pretty much took over before making a move to help the moderate groups vying for power.Our position on Syria is an abomination! We sit back on our hands doing nothing while 45,000 syrians get killed.The same thing is happening in Syria as happened in Libya and Egypt.Egypt is another disaster in the past,in the present and in the future.The Muslim Brotherhood will eventually take over all of these countries.Our only ally in the region,Isreal,will be in dire straits and then what are we going to do.China uses us like a broom for the world.They let us spend the money to try and clean up problems they start.Like North Korea.The Yuen is over valued and Obama does nothing to stop it.No Korea,another disaster.All Obama has done is give them hundreds of million of bushels of grain to feed their starving population.China should be feeding these people,not us.Obama could not get a sinlge working concession from the North Koreans.Our South and Central American trade policy is another failure.Trade treadies have been put on hold with countries that have a combined GDP twice that of China,just because American Big Labor wants special provisions in the treaties requiring union based trade organizations to do at least 70% of the work.In the mean time,China has signed and is continuing to sign trade agreements with all of these countries.Our relationship with Canada is terrible.No pipeline which Canada was told would happen.Now,they will have to build a pipeline to their west coast and ship the oil to China,leaving us without a source of plentiful oil from our next door neighbor.Africa,no policy.China is making huge advances in Africa,the next big buyer of consumer products.We have totally neglected the whole ccontinent.Africa will be one of the largest producers of natural resouces in 20 years,we have little interest there.Brazil has a larger foot print in Africa than does America.Europe is broke and so are we and nothing much has changed there .Russia! Relationship is at an all time low.Most of the east European countries that use to look up to us for protection or a path into democracy have abandoned Americas advice because of the poor treatment from the State Department.Someone please tell me,what is our foreign policy.To drive away all allys and to shake hands with all our enemies and to forget about how to do business in the world?Not much of a policy.I think we are still one good footing with Anarctica!
It's still spring time in Muslim land.. Great song...
Kerry's an arrogant ass...like all the 51%ers.
Take him down for one last humiliating time...the traitor should go to his grave a loser.
The d-kheads in Mass. will probably vote to put another kennedy in as the Jr. Senator. The only qualification will be that he is a lush and a skinhound. That should cover the kennedy clan.
riverman -
Well he hasn't drowned anybody...yet...So Ted's legacy is safe for now...
Kennedy is appointed,five new irish bars will open in Washington,DD.Can't these people do anything on their own.Does anyone think if their name was Jones or Smith,they would be appointed.They have some ignorant folk living in Mass.It's hard to believe all of those great universities are in Mass.All the students must come from other states.That's what I need,a trust fund set up by my great grandfather who made a fortune running rum during prohibition.Then buy two square blocks in the financial district of Chicagostan.Every generation will have enough money for ever.Allthey have to do is get a government job or grant to supplement their inheritence.We are doomed!
Nominating Kerry????? Big, Huge mistake. What will Mrs Heinz say?
This is the best you could find Mr. Obama?? We are in deeper trouble than what I even thought. John Kerry certainly doesn't present himself as the face and voice of authority. This will not enhance the foreign view of America. He always looks disheveled and like he has had one too many. Not impressive at all!! What a waste of space and poor choice sure hope he doesn't get confirmed...
Will the taxers and democrats demand 10 years of Kerry tax returns?
His money makes Romney look middle-class to poor
Fair is fair - wouldn't you say?
The transparency of democrat hypocrisy - Priceless
Rich boy - show us your tax returns - John Kerry - 10 years worth
Come on all you taxers - lets see who the hypocrits are - simpletons all of you liberal dirt bags - pond scum
Come on Obama - what's he hiding - your boy Kerry?
I thought it was the Democrats who hated the rich.
sure makes sense for Obama- appoint another America hating leftist- and with Kerry we have his hatred for America on record
Confirmation hearings and any other business should be put on hold until after fiscal cliff government spending cuts are put in place.
What spending cuts. Please enlighten me on those spending cuts Obama has proposed?
Where are your Vietnam medals Mr. Kerry?
He was a good soldier who came to see the war was a disaster and acted accordingly. That was certainly better than the lock step patriots who just got us in deeper and deeper and lost anyway.
I would prefer Huntsman right now, but want him to run later on. Kerry is a good choice for the American people and will do well at it. Huntsman spoke Mandarin and understood the Chinese. People take a look at the bigger picture and it will work out. Huntsman I hope will win in 2016.
I used to work 6 day work weeks in D.C. about 20 years ago. I had shortened day hours because of the 6 work days so I had about 3 hours a day to pass before catching the Metro to catch the first commuter bus back to MD. It was all good as I got to see just about everything in D.C. many times. I had a pass to the House and Senate peanut gallery and if it was cold out or I was tired I would go up and watch for a few hours. The place was usually empty, and you weren't allowed to sleep, if you nodded off or acted out of line someone would come up in a minute and correct you. Anyhow, Kerry came up and started talking to one evening, and I fell sound asleep immediately. Not sure why they didn't wake me up, maybe because they had seen me there before a bunch and the place was empty. But I missed my bus and the last bus and had to go through heck to get home. I'll never forgive the guy for being so boring. :-) Maybe thats the plan, make those terrorists and dictators crumble while listening to Kerry. I get it!
If Brown lusts after the Senate job, he should become a Democrat. Republicans are pretty much finished in the Northeast.
Just when we thought almost anyone could do a better job than Clinton!
Former Democratic Presidential candidates step up to serve their country..
Former republican candidates for president.. simply fade away...
Along with,.. former republican presidents....
How amusing......
We didn't want him then...what makes you think we want him now. Heck, he lost to Bush...the dumbest guy ( next to obama ) to ever be president.
A few 18-24 yr olds voting, a smart president does not make.
You 51%ers will understand it in 2014.
LOL!!!
You're funny... Not bright of course.. but highly entertaining..
Thanks...
Oh,... BTW,... What's willard been up to lately???? BWAH HAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!
The transparency of democrat hypocrisy - Priceless
Rich boy - show us your tax returns - John Kerry - 10 years worth
Where's those pesky liberal taxers now?
Forgot to mention little georgey.... Very silent during the 2012 election cycle??
Hmmm... Wonder why?? LOL!!!!!
But we all know why..... BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!
Send in the clowns, we go from a militant who spent the last four years constructing a global feminist network on the country's dime, to an arrogant bimbo, he'll go over real well with the muslims obama has been pandering to !!!!!!
"constructing a global feminist network"???
Still mad mommy makes you wear a skirt to school????
Really,... it's for your own good !!!
Dear K1200RS,
Do you like your THINGS that much? Marquee adoration is just another form of Idol worship!
being a dem.hack and lackey of the unions,by my own admission,i find kerry to be one of washington's insider's who is arrogant,acts like he thinks he's all that,got all of the money he needs,and should retire so he can spend all the money he has,just like MCcain,what the hell is the attraction of washington politics?
I don't understand. So what, some 1% are good people and others are not? Some 1% are worthy of given a chance in spite of their wealth, but some are not? Ya'll can relate to some of them or some of them can relate to you, but others can't? I can't comprehend this double standard. I don't know much about Kerry besides he is a wealthy bloke. What troubles me is how fellow citizens can be in an uproar and spew pure hate toward certain wealthy people, while applauding and holding others in the highest esteem. The bottom line is that if one is wealthy and you aren't I doubt if they can relate to your circumstances as you cannot relate to theirs. Further, why does one need to relate to anothers circumstances to hold public office and be competent at his job? This was popular during the Presidential election. Personally, I have no desire to sit down and have a beer, green tea or anything else with the President of my country. All I want from him is to do is to do his job to the best of his ability and doing this does not require him being able to relate to by old broke down Black *ss!!! Come on people life is not one big reality show episode or an American Idol show. Let us be more responsible and thoughtful in who we elect and support in these government positions. God bless America!!!
Just what we need for Secretary of State, a 1%er, lifelong Washington hack, and pompous Mass-hole
Why wouldn't comrade obama nominate this traitor to SoS???
Congratulations to John Kerry on being selected to become Secretary of State.
I can't find the story that President Obama is in Hawaii for a multiweek vacation anywhere on this webpage, is this a mistake?
In my local paper, buried on page 6, is a short article about Obama being in Hawaii and on the golf course.