JK offered Sec-State?

[ginnyinWI]

What did I half-hear on the Air America news spot?? Anyone know anything about this?

[MarjorieG]

1. With Kennedy so sick, may be the Chair of Foreign Relations instead.

I am sure JK would want that, under different cicumstances.

[ginnyinWI]

2. I Googled and found this:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/11/05/kerry_refuses_to_rule_out_taking_post_under_obama/

It says he's not ruling anything out.

[Noisy Democrat]

3. yeah, we have video of that

One of the clips I shot yesterday is JK refusing to rule anything out. He was interviewed just after he voted. It's about a minute long. http://www.jkmediasource.org/node/168

It makes sense to me that he would refuse to rule anything out even if he actually wants to stay in the Senate. I don't know the process by which senators communicate which committee chairmanships and other goodies they want, but it's conceivable that there are parts of it where bargaining power plays a role -- i.e. either they give him some respect or he walks. If that's so, it wouldn't make sense for him to issue a highly-publicized, hard-to-back-out-of commitment to stay in the Senate come hell or high water. Better to refuse to commit, and see what he can get. :) So to me, the fact that he won't rule anything out means nothing.

[Democrafty]

4. I agree. Also,

how does it look if, when essentially asked, "Do you want to go work for that guy if he's elected?" someone like JK essentially says "Hell, no." Yesterday was Obama's day. It would have been rude and terrible for the party and the campaign for JK to repudiate his potential administration.

[Noisy Democrat]

5. Good point :) n/t

[Luftmensch067]

6. I think you're both right, but

As people here know, I parse these journalistic attempts fairly fine and, to me, it's pretty clear from what JK is quoted as SAYING vs. what the article writer is inferring and implying that there's some fancy speculating going on here that has little to do with actual statements.

JK said:

"I have no job I'm looking for in the Cabinet at this point in time...If the president talks to me, I'll listen to him and talk to him, but there's very little I would leave the U.S. Senate for."

"Well, I'd talk to the president if he called me and asked me about it. But I never heard anything. It's speculation. We don't have a president yet. Let's get down the road and see where we are."

"What I've been clear about is that I'm going to fight for Massachusetts. Whatever I, you know, do, I will do with the interests of Massachusetts and our country in mind, but I will continue to serve as thoughtfully as I can."

The "journalist" said:

No sooner had John Kerry won re-election than he refused to rule out the possibility he might give up his Senate seat for a position in the Obama administration.

He also broadened his definition of service to Massachusetts, suggesting he could provide it whether he was one of the state's U.S. senators or held some other post under President-elect Barack Obama.

and

The 64-year-old triggered speculation about his interest in serving as secretary of state earlier this year, when he began defending Obama on foreign policy questions, both in interviews and op-ed pieces, and invited former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for a meeting at his vacation home on Nantucket.

In recent weeks, Kerry took time away from own campaign to stump for Obama in New Hampshire and other battleground states.

When JK refuses to speculate or rule anything out before it's even officially offered and says he wants to serve Massachusetts, the conclusion is that he is speaking in some kind of code and that we can assume that he is actually talking about taking the post!

And it seems to me that it is very much in keeping with his long-time senatorial role and interests to defend and stump for Obama and to sit down with foreign leaders who have an interest in Middle Eastern affairs. The fact that this is seen as "triggering speculation" seems to me to have more to say about the speculators than about JK.

JK is careful with his statements, always, and is motivated by a desire for precise honesty, but he is seldom taken at his word, which is sad. Why can't what someone says mean exactly what it sounds like?

[beachmom]

7. There is this rumor, seen previously, of course:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_TRANSITION?SITE=NVREN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Several Democrats also said Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry was actively seeking appointment as secretary of State in the new administration.

[protect our future]

8. I would be spectacularly thrilled were JK to be offered SOS.

But I hope he ends up with whatever important job he feels best suited for and happiest in.

[JI7]

9. with Democrats gaining in the Senate i'm not sure he would want to leave

at least not as much as when it was closer or Democrats were in the minority.

he has more chance now of getting his bills passed and a President who is more likely to listen and sign it. as Senator he can work on many different issues.

sec of state would be amazing but more limited to an area. of course JK is intelligent enough to know that things like environment, economy, foreign policy are tied .

[ginnyinWI]

10. it would be a hard choice to make.

On the one hand, Sec-State seems like a perfect fit for him. On the other hand, it would mean giving up his Senate seat, and in effect, the Senate for good.

On the one hand he'd have eight great years as Secretary of State, then have the chance to retire to do something else at 73. On the other hand, there is the Senate which has been close to his heart all these years, and now the Dems will be able to do more than ever.

It will be interesting to see what happens, like so much will be in the coming weeks!

I saw at least one other prospective cabinet member issue the same kind of statement today--can't remember who just now. It's the standard way to handle these questions.

[MBS]

11. Newsweek's "handicapping" puts his chances of appt as 2/1

http://www.newsweek.com/id/166328.
They gave a pretty inadequate assessment of his qualifications, though (just mentioning that he was on SFRC, and "is owed big time for his early endorsement": good grief).

It feels to me like Obama holds his cards pretty close to his chest, and his mix of pragmatism (aptly described by a law school student in NYT magazine as "ruthless pragmatism") and idealism is bound to yield plenty of surprises.

[MBS]

12. and the speculation is basically hot air, of course

They also put the odds of (GASP) Larry Summers being appointed as Sec of Treasury as 2/1, which, to me, is just an appalling, and fundamentally unbelievable, prospect.

[TayTay]

13. This is pure speculation

The silly assessments and polls is done to try and figure out who will be powerful and so forth in the new reorganization in DC in January. Partly this is a fun game, partly it is cruel.

I believe the Senate is trying to get it's new organization done quickly. However, "quickly" in Senate-time is still quite long.

Senator Kerry is apparently facing an embarrassment of riches, apparently, in terms of being talked about because of his expertise in foreign policy. How nice.

[Mass]

14. We are back in the area of silly talks from the media. This morning, our local media

was buzzing about speculations (from whom?) that our governor could leave if offered to be General Attorney, even if he had publicly said yesterday he was not interested by a job in the administration and wanted to run for a second term.

Last night, a local media listed Hillary Clinton as a possibility for SoS (why?).

The media has had to retract several times the fact that Emmanuel accepted to be CoS because they are so much in a hurry to make news that they do not check the rumors they hear.

I would not take anything not said in an official manner by the transition team as serious.

[TayTay]

15. Look underneath what is happening too

There is a very sad possibility that Massachusetts will have an opening in our Congressional delegation. It would be very unseemly for anyone to speculate for running for that seat, as the circumstances of it opening up are heartbreaking for a lot of residents in MA. It is not sad to contemplate a Mass pol moving up to a cabinet post. That is politics as usual. No one is hurt in this game of speculation and it is not unseemly.

Do not overlook the possibility of people saying something using one name while another name is actually in their minds as to that opening in Congress. Read the tea leaves carefully here.

[karynnj]

16. Excellent observation (nt)

It also can not hurt Kerry for people to seriously suggest that he is the best person to take a high cabinet post - or to continue as an increasingly powerful Senator.

[MBS]

17. I've also thought that this is a large if silent aspect of the local story n/t

[beachmom]

18. Ah, yes. That would make sense.

I feel like this is like being in the CIA. What does the "increased chatter" mean, if anything?

[ProSense]

20. Here's news

Dodd wants to keep Banking Committee.

[Mass]

21. The fact that the SFRC chair becomes free, in particular if Byrd releases his chair

as well, creates a domino effect in the Senate which creates some interesting possibilities.

[Democrafty]

22. That IS news!

:bounce:

[ginnyinWI]

19. they're buzzing about our Governor Doyle too.

Because he was a fairly early endorser for Obama and campaigned pretty actively. We'll see.

Oh and Wisconsin is now deep blue rather than light blue. Our State Assembly and Senate has gone to a Dem majority to go along with the Dem Governor we already had. The wingnuts are saying it's time to move to another state. Bye! :)

[karynnj]

23. This might make a difference - Reports that Dodd is sticking with the Banking committee

http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/1868/kerry-poised-be-chair-foreign-relations-committee

I would suspect that if Kerry really pushed Obama for Secretary of State he would get it. He is extremely qualified - Teresa would be an enormous plus - and no one is owed more by Obama.

[JI7]

24. CNN said Kerry is like Biden and can go off message

it was a very short piece about positions in the Obama administration. they mentioned some names, said Kerry may want it but can go off message like VP elect Biden so someone like Richardson may get it.

i can understand people making an issue out of this in a campaign, but wouldn't this be good for actually doing the job ? and he doesn't go off message as they claim but rather he is able to see many sides of the issue.

[Mass]

25. There is clearly a strong effort within and without the Democratic Party to make sure that Kerry

does not get the job. Why, I am not sure, but it goes beyond the personal ambitions of Holbrooke or Richardson.

This piece is just media fluff that does not bother me, but the noises that Kerry is actively searching the job, or, as I have read in a couple places, pressuring (!!!) Obama to give him the job (uh, Obama is the president. He can choose who he wants), is starting to get on my nerves. It clearly hurts Kerry, and it will hurt Obama if he has decided to choose Kerry.

I am starting to think it is unlikely Kerry will get Foggy Bottom (not sure either it would be a good thing for him), and, in addition to all these, it would bring a problem to the SFRC, as some people are also reluctant to give Feingold the chair and are already talking of bypassing him for Nelson. My feeling is that the Democrats are still the same crab basket they were always, and I hope an Obama administration has some strong people to keep them in line and advance. Too bad Durbin will not challenge Reid for the chair.

[JI7]

27. they did the same with Howard Dean in that piece

i don't think they said anything like he can go off message. but implying he is wanting the job and then mentioned Daschle.

i didn't think about who would be SFRC Chair if Kerry were to become Sec of State, but that is probably part of why some wouldn't want Kerry as Sec of State. no way should Feingold be passed up for Nelson if it does come to that. would they even be allowed to do that ?

and it's worse reading all of this when you know nothing has been done about Lieberman after all that he has done.

i think it's less likely Durbin will challenge Reid since the guy from his home state is President. even if Reid were to step down from the position or leave the Senate it would probably be someone other than Durbin who takes his place.

[karynnj]

29. Your point that they did nothing to Lieberman

but fight Kerry, Dean and Feingold is well taken. I remember the awful stories after the 2006 election, where they spoke of Kerry almost as a pariah, while speaking of how the entire caucus applauded Leiberman. I know there was the issue of control of the Senate, but this shows it continues.

I think what this - and that - was was really something else - the media is putting their thumb on the scale. The fact is that within months of those 2006 stories, Kerry's and Feingold's position was the Democratic one. HRC and the others moved to the good guys - because in truth that was what that election said.

Now, they are trying to influence Obama. The thing is though that the country REJECTED the status quo twice. Obama has a mandate for the change he spoke of - and it is his responsibility to get it.

[karynnj]

26. Kerry was 100% on message this year - Do they remember the Richardson campaign?

This is just the CNN Clinton preference - Richardson is a Clinton person - who endorsed when it really was already in the bag. What is clear is that the battle for control of the party continues - even with Obama as President. This does make clear what Kerry has been up against, making his 2004 win of the nomination and almost win of the Presidency astonishing.

CNN also fought Obama to the last minute - first being in the tank for HRC, then for McCain. Is it any surprise that they are now showing their preference for anyone from the Clinton or even Bush (Powell) camp to Kerry. The foreign policy Obama spoke of during the election was NOT the Clinton policy. His speech in Germany had more in common with Kerry. I actually hope he picks Susan Rice or someone else who is in line with the change America voted for.

The annoying thing to me is that there are so many people here who are using this to bash Kerry. Many names are not familiar, but many are Clinton supporters.

It is interesting that they are continuing their attacks on Biden as well -although we all know that he can go off on tangents, he was also always given credit before on being good on talk shows.

[politicasista]

35. Yep. And they still are

Still can't forgive him for Ohio. Go figure. :(

[jillan]

30. I heard that too.

Unbelievable!

Kerry would be a wonderful SoS.

[Mass]

28. An interesting editorial by Scot Lehigh, on the same topic

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/11/07/a_welcome_dilemma_for_newly_reelected_kerry/

But no one brings more to the table than Kerry would.

His years of service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has given him deep expertise in international issues and a long relationship with pivotal Middle Eastern leaders. (With Senator Chris Dodd's decision to stay at the helm of the banking committee, Kerry will assume the chairmanship of Foreign Relations next year should he remain in the Senate.)

Meanwhile, because of his own presidential campaign, Kerry is an internationally known figure.
...

[ProSense]

31. Seriously:

What the hell are some of these people smoking?

The piece is more fiction than Alice in Wonderland. They manage to make Obama and Kerry look bad, claiming Kerry traded his endorsement of Obama for the SoS position. Yeah, Kerry believed in Obama in 2004, but they both are now opportunists? WTF?

It's garbage on so many levels. It also claims that Obama resurrected Kerry's career. WTF?

Effing morons.



Just realized that the above article is from September, but it is linked to from this piece, which is dated today.

Again, WTF?

[Mass]

32. TNR opposing Kerry at State. NOt a real surprise. They endorsed Lieberman

and nobody supported Kerry in the 2004 primaries.

[karynnj]

33. They have no credibility

It is partially true that more people noticed Kerry in a positive way after he endorsed obama, but before then, He:

- was the main person responsible for having united the Democrats around a sensible Iraq policy and for having communicated it to the country - in 2007/2008, HRC was pretty much using Kerry's words about how Iraqi politicians won't make the tough decisions until they are forced to by knowing we will leave. A position that in mid 2006, she called cut and run. (It was weird to hear James Rubin, a Clinton State department guy saying that that should start just because of Obama's election for that same reason.)

- On global warming a member of the Bush team said to a SFRC that there would have been no US signed Bali treaty without Kerry. Barbara Boxer said that he was the go to guy on the environment (even though he's not on the committee.)

- One element of the new health care plan is likely to be Kerry's concept of re-insurance for catastrophic costs.

- His 2001 legislation to make international fund transfers more transparent has been a major tool against terrorist money flows. His 2004 view on terrorism is now everyone's

- He was prescient on the need to deal with foreclosures and nearly a year ago pushed legislation to deal with it that finally became law this summer.

- Obama pretty much took his small business idea and made it his.

Looking at this, it is clear who has been the real Democratic leader in the Senate. Is there anyone else with a record like this? It's clear that it is not HRC.

Had the media actually reported much of this - he would be respected far more than he is. The thing is though, these things are real and they do make a difference.

[Muttocracy]

36. Kerry's expertise in so many areas is one reason I wouldn't want to lose him as a senator

but for Sec of State he would certainly be one of the best choices.

Clearly, we needed him as President :(

[beachmom]

34. I read the long Newsweek Election 2008 article, and it is clear that

the traditional media is never going to give Kerry much credit for anything. They were stuck mentioning that he picked Obama to do the keynote in '04, but that is where it ended. Nothing on his endorsement, or giving him all his staff and donors, etc. Part of me is annoyed with this, but part of me likes that this story is still out there and one day will be told.

I don't know what to think with these press reports. They are trying to make Kerry look bad, and there is no way to know how true their reports are. I think anyone who wants a cabinet position has to put feelers out. Why is Kerry being singled out and not the others? Sigh. This is why I remain at my station ready to defend the honor of John Kerry. It is ridiculous how even to this day, he is treated so shabbily by the press.

[Democrafty]

37. And if he doesn't get it

(which, with two senators on the SFRC about to move to the WH, seems to be the case) the media will delight in painting him as a loser who didn't get what he wanted.

I hate the whole stupid rumor. Even if there's truth to it.