General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt will be a long time until there is another SoS like John Kerry
I read his remarks made today: https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/12/266119.htm
He's eloquent, intelligent, and a true statesman. I hate the thought of him stepping down for an oil baron to take over.
LisaM
(27,759 posts)Just think of what this country could have been with Gore, Kerry, and Clinton as presidents instead of Shrubbery and DT.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)From now on it will be clowns and charlatans. What a sad country we have become.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)There will never be another Walter Cronkite.
The day 9/11 happened I went home and watched Peter Jennings. Not perfect but a man with enough gravitas to handle the subject for hours of unscripted television. I was glad he was there that day.
If something similar happened now there is no news channel or newsperson I would want to hear.
And if something like 9/11 happened under Trump I couldn't stand to look at him or listen to him.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I never could have imagined it. Very sad.
CrispyQ
(36,226 posts)ailsagirl
(22,837 posts)had that election not been stolen.
Yet another bitter pill to swallow
milestogo
(16,829 posts)We can't let this happen again.
ailsagirl
(22,837 posts)Silly me
NewJeffCT
(56,827 posts)I think he would have been a pretty good president, but the biggest loss was that George W Bush appointed John Roberts to the SCotUS in 2005 and Samuel Alito in 2006.
Just imagine those two replaced with a younger Sonia Sotomayor and Jennifer Granholm or similar instead. No citizens united
lancelyons
(988 posts)Agreed he is all class and many of the other senators and congressman including republicans know
bucolic_frolic
(42,676 posts)does not understand diplomacy, governance, compromise, or politics by and large
Warren Harding anyone?
karynnj
(59,475 posts)He has been an incredible Secretary of State - essential for both the Iran deal, which averted a war, and the Paris Climate Accord. Either of these major accomplishments would be the crown jewel of any Secretary of State's term. Yes, I know Trump could destroy them, but that does not diminish the accomplishment. If Trump ruins them, that is on his head. Yet, many pundits note he failed to get peace in the Middle East --something they do not hold against the many other people who tried - and he could not put the Syria egg back together - though he did get 600 tons of chemical weapons removed.
His accomplishments easily make him the best Secretary of State this century.
He has been a capable leader since he spoke to the Senate Foreign Relations committee in 1971. His eloquent speech is still one thingoften quoted when questioning if the cost of a war is worth it.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)President Obama picked two good SOSs.
mehrrh
(233 posts)Kerry was most articulate today in explaining the present and the past of the Israeli conflict.
He did not defend Hamas, but he defended the US vote of abstention.
He also went over the decades of history and that the US has been the staunchest ally of Israel, which is unappreciated.
He spoke for more than an hour in great detail and those who find fault are simply not paying attention.
Kerry is exactly what we should expect in a fine Secretary of State. In fact, he exceeds expectations.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)Kerry is so knowledgeable on so many subjects; he has no ulterior motive. He actually cares.
MBS
(9,688 posts)bdamomma
(63,657 posts)a true statesman.
MBS
(9,688 posts)I have been so proud to have Obama and Kerry represent us on the international stage.
MBS
(9,688 posts)without a doubt, the best SoS in my lifetime.
He has made noises about continuing to stay active, especially in service to solving problems of climate change and the environment. Luckily for us, "retire" does not seem to be in this man's DNA.
I also hope that his plans include a memoir of his most worthy career.
I especially would look forward to a frank assessment of the 2004 election.