Kerry Is the Right Choice to Lead U.S. Diplomacy

[babylonsister]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-21/kerry-is-the-right-choice-to-lead-u-s-diplomacy.html


Kerry Is the Right Choice to Lead U.S. Diplomacy
By Jonathan Alter
Nov 21, 2012 6:30 PM ET


For all the talk of tax increases and debt-cutting, President Barack Obama’s biggest and most- revealing decision this year may be which candidate he chooses to be his new secretary of state. It will tell us whether the president allows comfort to trump qualification.

snip//

Kerry would be much-better received than Rice not just in the Senate but in the rest of the world -- which should be more than a little relevant in this decision. After 27 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he knows every player of consequence. His on-the-job training would be minimal.

Lest we forget, Obama probably wouldn’t be president without Kerry, who asked him to deliver the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention that started his career.

snip//

Still, the next secretary of state may be called on to broker Mideast peace talks between Israel and Hamas or conduct high-stakes talks with Iran on its nuclear program. Wouldn’t it be better to have someone at the table with wide experience and the political clout to make things happen?

In 2008, Obama’s staff was dead set against Clinton getting secretary of state. Finally, Obama broke in sharply and said, “You guys are missing the fundamental point -- she’s the most- qualified candidate.”

This time, he is.

[rocktivity]

1. Uh huh -- and Scott Brown would be the right choice to replace him Congress

rocktivity

[babylonsister]

2. There's plenty of alternatives...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021860793

and don't you roll your eyes at me! Kerry has earned the right to this job, so I think he should get it.

[madinmaryland]

3. As another Massachussetts DU'er indicated, Massachussetts can easily change it's laws back to

the way they were before to match what just about every other state does. Appoint the Senator to fill the term until the next US Congressional election (Nov. 2014).

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

4. NO way!

Don't give the Senate seat to that miscreant Brown.

[John2]

5. This

is President Obama's decision and to say he would go wrong either way is ridiculous. To suggest the U.N Ambassador doesn't know all the players is also ridiculous. Kerry is a Politician and Rice is a trained Diplomat. She is no less qualified than Condi Rice or Hillary Clinton. The Secretary if State carries out the wishes of the President and not Policies of his or her own. I don't think anybody is entitled to any position. Alter is off base. Let the President make his own decision. Whom ever he chooses I will go with it unless it is a Republican. And if that Repuke Mike Rogers is on a short List for the CIA, that is big trouble waiting to happen, especially after the outrageous accusation he said about Petraeus's affair and Eric Holder.

[davidpdx]

8. I agree with you in principal

That is is Obama's decision and believe he'll make the right one when the time comes. But do remember Hillary Clinton was not a trained diplomat and still got the position, so that is not necessary for the SOS position. What serves as a qualification for SOS is pretty vague, so in essence he could pick from a number of people who are available.

I agree with the Alter that Kerry would be a good choice, but disagree that he or anyone else has "earned it". In fact I said the same thing about presidential candidates in 2008 when people said Clinton had earned the right to be president. No matter what position you are talking about that argument doesn't work for me.

Like many many others, I have concerns that we recruit a high quality candidate to replace Kerry if he is selected. I have no doubt Slimeball Brown is going to run again if the seat is open. It is important to maintain our current seats in the Senate as they are the most difficult and expensive to win. If we can run the tables in 2014 we maybe able to get a filibuster proof Senate.

[treestar]

6. Why is it assumed Brown would win

or get the seat?

[Cha]

7. Jonathon Alter has his answer right here whether Pres Obama would

"allow comfort to trump qualifications". So, he can keep his trying to box him in an corner to himself.

In 2008, Obama’s staff was dead set against Clinton getting secretary of state. Finally, Obama broke in sharply and said, “You guys are missing the fundamental point -- she’s the most- qualified candidate.”

Wondering how Alter knew the exact quote, though?

We'll see who the President nominates. From what I remember it's been no thanks to Alter that PBO got re-elected. I was always reading about disingenuous crap he was spouting about him on the pundit rounds.

[Sunlei]

9. The Presidents choice, best if he/she teams with Mrs. Clinton for a year or so.