Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
It will be a long time until there is another SoS like John Kerry (Original Post) milestogo Dec 2016 OP
Sigh. LisaM Dec 2016 #1
+1,000,000 Auggie Dec 2016 #2
Yes, indeed!! Kerry truly is one of a kind. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2016 #3
Yes, he will be missed. CentralMass Dec 2016 #4
I think we have seen the end of the statesman. smirkymonkey Dec 2016 #5
In a way its like the decline of the serious news anchor. milestogo Dec 2016 #9
How low we have sunk. smirkymonkey Dec 2016 #10
This is what I think, too. -nt CrispyQ Dec 2016 #20
He would have done a commendable job as President... ailsagirl Dec 2016 #6
Gore, Kerry, Clinton - milestogo Dec 2016 #7
Honestly, I was hopeful it would never again happen ailsagirl Dec 2016 #8
that was a killer NewJeffCT Dec 2016 #13
Agreed he is all class and many of the other senators and congressman including republicans know lancelyons Dec 2016 #11
The incoming administration bucolic_frolic Dec 2016 #12
I think he was the best statesman that the war baby/baby boom generation produced karynnj Dec 2016 #14
Well said. milestogo Dec 2016 #15
Yes mcar Dec 2016 #16
very impressive mehrrh Dec 2016 #17
And one doesn't acquire all that knowledge without caring deeply about it. milestogo Dec 2016 #18
yes indeed. n/t MBS Dec 2016 #21
John Kerry bdamomma Dec 2016 #19
The Real Thing, for sure. MBS Dec 2016 #22
He has been an outstanding SoS MBS Dec 2016 #23
I hope so. milestogo Dec 2016 #24

LisaM

(27,759 posts)
1. Sigh.
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 08:35 PM
Dec 2016

Just think of what this country could have been with Gore, Kerry, and Clinton as presidents instead of Shrubbery and DT.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
5. I think we have seen the end of the statesman.
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 09:25 PM
Dec 2016

From now on it will be clowns and charlatans. What a sad country we have become.

milestogo

(16,829 posts)
9. In a way its like the decline of the serious news anchor.
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 09:32 PM
Dec 2016

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.

ailsagirl

(22,837 posts)
6. He would have done a commendable job as President...
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 09:25 PM
Dec 2016

had that election not been stolen.

Yet another bitter pill to swallow

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
13. that was a killer
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 10:21 PM
Dec 2016

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)
11. Agreed he is all class and many of the other senators and congressman including republicans know
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 09:47 PM
Dec 2016

Agreed he is all class and many of the other senators and congressman including republicans know

bucolic_frolic

(42,676 posts)
12. The incoming administration
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 10:05 PM
Dec 2016

does not understand diplomacy, governance, compromise, or politics by and large

Warren Harding anyone?

karynnj

(59,475 posts)
14. I think he was the best statesman that the war baby/baby boom generation produced
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 10:48 PM
Dec 2016

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.

mehrrh

(233 posts)
17. very impressive
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 11:19 PM
Dec 2016

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)
18. And one doesn't acquire all that knowledge without caring deeply about it.
Wed Dec 28, 2016, 11:23 PM
Dec 2016

Kerry is so knowledgeable on so many subjects; he has no ulterior motive. He actually cares.

MBS

(9,688 posts)
22. The Real Thing, for sure.
Thu Dec 29, 2016, 12:22 PM
Dec 2016

I have been so proud to have Obama and Kerry represent us on the international stage.

MBS

(9,688 posts)
23. He has been an outstanding SoS
Thu Dec 29, 2016, 12:26 PM
Dec 2016

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.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»It will be a long time un...