E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
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.
Leave a Comment:
Yap another Brother in Law deal in Washington, why would anyone consider this lying POS for any position, he's not going to work, to old for this position, it's really disheartening that this is supposed to be the best we have. Where are the Patrick Henry's when we need them. "Liberty or Death, Come and take it"
Michael Moore for Director of Health and Human Services, LOL.
It took more courage to protest the war than it did to go along with the war. Unarmed protestors faced heavely armed national guard and law enforcement types. 4 dead in Ohio. If you were in a fire fight in Vietnam you at least had a weapon to defend yourself with.
as Sec of State???? Dosent anyone remember his traitorous Vietnam behaviour? A slap in the face of veterans!
RJ, that's simply a ridiculous accusation.
If anyone earned their right to protest that war is was the giys who were there.
Typical right wing manure...
However poor a choice Susan Rice would be. we can take consolation in the fact that she is being replaced with a commie sympathizer and idiot.
Wrong choice, he is not a person who will be effective, and his wife will take control just like she did when he ran for president not a good choice.
John Kerry as the next Secretary of State?
In that case...
Why not let Jane Fonda replace Leon Panetta as Secretary as Defense?
Flipping unbelievable.
Maybe she could go to Iran and protest on some IED's
Fonda will be fine by me.
...And by that statement Yhbua...
You just lost all credibility on this blog.
Go find an Obama goose stepping youth rally.
Hey Lest we forget, she couldn't be worse than Rumsfeld who was fred by Bush and they made it look like a resignation. He send our men and women to war, lacking the proper safety equipment required to combat the insurgency.
Repeat: #57.3
Lest we forget...
Jane Fonda served in 'Nam?
Unlike most people, Kerry earned his chops to protest that fiasco.
Yeah Chippy she sure did, North Vietnam!
Hey just how old are you guys? You do realize McCarthyism was bogus B.S. and it's long dead right? Ok, now continue running around in circles shrieking about commies. It's entertaining.
The UN better supply sleeping pills when Kerry starts to talk. Who's next Bill Ayers for Sec of Defense?
I think the governer of Mass. should be able to put another democrat in Kerrys place instead of having to have a special election. Brown lost and should not be able to get his seat back..this would not be fair for the democrats.
elaine, so you think the democratic process should be violated ?
Typical lib
I guess Obama ran out of quality choices and had to settle for Kerry as a last resort...
It has been over 60 years since this country was involved in any war that could be remotely justified.
prog, you are completely wrong on that one, liberating Kuwait was 100% justified. I saw what the Iraqi Army (barbarians) did and we did the right thing...Desert Storm Vet, US ARMY 10 years, 1/41 Inf 2AD(fwd)
If you were correct and it was justified why are we not involved in conflicts that kill more people in some of the African countries? Why did we create an Iraq that is more vilent today and that is now a friend of what is supposed to be one of worse enemies Iran? Our military has been turned into a mercenary force rather then a force that fights to protect this country.
Nothing anyone can do to change the corruption in Africa, total waste of time and resources.
And Iraq wasn't with over 100,000 innocent people killed and is more closer to harboring terrorists today than Hussan ever was?
Bill, totally agree 3rd ID 1/30th inf. "Always First!"
Shishh, feel like I'm inside a vulture's intestines when I read these bitter postings
Another liar for the post! What is wrong with you people supporting these kinds of politicians for office? Oh that's right, normal behavior for a Dumbacrat!
he only wants ones in the white house that is @!$%#ing stupid and will kiss his balls before he goes to sleep at night. what can we expect anymore.
yea, just what we need, another @!$%#ing idiot in the white house
past, it isn't nice to insult idiots
it sure is and when it is the truth also
Well I think he is perfect for the job! Both Kerry and his boss are village idiots!
idiots all over the world are now feeling insulted by being compared to John Kerry and Barry Obama
Just like their father, the Cheney siblings talk and promote war but refuse to serve and go into tax payer supported jobs. Both, his daughter Liz is a talking head at Fox. Previously she worked at the State Department in what role you guessed it. Her brother Mary, also worked for the government when papa Cheney was VP.
Mary Cheney married her long-term partner Heather Poe on June 22, 2012, in Washington, D.C. They have two children: a son Samuel David Cheney and a daughter Sarah Lynne Cheney. The family resides in Virginia.[5] In vitro ?
I guess Mary is the father and wears the pants at home. Too much testosterone bad for pregnancy.
Kerry totally disrespected everyone in the Military:
You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.
John Kerry
What type people ended up fighting the war? Some people went into the military because they could not find civillian jobs, some went because they thought they were fighting terrorists who attacked this country when all the terrorists who attacked the trade center were from Saudia Arabia and some went just for an adventure. Why do you think politicans were able to find the money to create an all voluntary army after the Vietnam War?
Prog:
I guess you wouldn't understand love of country and pride in being an American. I guess you don't understand what it is like in countries such as China or the Czech Republic, where you cannot express an opinion that differs from the state endorsed opinion. Our media is already becoming like that thanks to media watch dog media matters that threatens any media company that expresses the non-state (Obama) endorsed viewpoint.
Obama and the Dem's owe Kerry and this is his pay back.
How long will Hillary be able to avoid committing purjury in testifying on Benghazi?
This is all so liberal left and so expected.
Accountability - is not a word they seek, admire or respect - sends a shiver down their spines
Kerry is another poor Obama choice, he has a terrible attendance record (not as bad as Obamas was in congress) and is not an intelligent representative for our country. We have alot of really bad decisions coming over the next 4 years though so I guess this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Agreed!
I want Congressman Allen West for this post. Kerry is NOT qualify for it. He is a Traditor just like Jane Fonda. He is not worthy of any post other than to rennouce his citizenship of the USA and go peddle his Heinz Ketsup in Iran.
How is he a traitor? How much longer would the war have continued if they were not protesters?
Fonda was responsible for the deaths of many of our troops. She gave information to the North Vietnamese that caused our troops to die.
Hahaha. Allen West is a reactionary loser and a failure. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
President Obama has made a mistake. This is just what the Republicans wanted so they can have another chance at the Senate seat in Mass. Grassroots workers are always facing situations like this where we have to work day and night to remedy problems brought about by decisions like this and it just isn't fair.
Where was the President when the Republicans were begging for this nomination. I had hoped that with the successful election, the President would have worked from a position of power, but it appears that it will be business as usual. I frankly don't understand and have just about lost interest in the battle. I consider his actions strange and unfortunate for this country.
Maybe we are all misinterperting the meaning of the word Tap.
Replace one total A**hole with another. Wonder how much he can give away to countries that hate us trying to buy their friendship? He may have to pucker up and kiss a lot of Muslim asses. However the plus is that if he travels half as much as Hillary the country will save billions of dollars.
Barney Frank for Sec of Treasury.
You would think so Dick!
And Queen Of Hollywood.
Hmmmmm, is this the same John Kerry that told the world that if you didn't go to college and get as smart as he thinks he is, you would go in the military and become a moron and be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan??? Excellent friggin' choice.....
How long will Hillary be able to avoid committing purjury in testifying on Benghazi?
She was hoping the Mayan's were correct I'm sure
She's taking this delay tactic right out of the Presidents play book. Stall and deflect as long as you can and hope everybody moves on and forgets.