Senate Panel Approves John Kerry Nomination

[WilliamPitt]

Source: AP via TPM

The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee approved the nomination of Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) to be the next secretary of state on Tuesday, per the AP. His nomination is expected to go to the full Senate for a vote later today.

Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/senate-panel-approves-john-kerry-nomination

[TwilightGardener]

1. Wow--did NOT see that coming...

[Flying Squirrel]

2. Now if only they can get 60 votes...

[Nye Bevan]

3. Always suspected he would squeak through (nt)

[vlyons]

4. Support was by a voice vote with no opposition.

so unanimous

[tavalon]

5. So, what do you think? Will he be good? I hold your opinion in high esteem.

[WilliamPitt]

6. I have high hopes.

He's wanted the job forever. I think he'll do well.

[tavalon]

7. Me too

But if we are off, usually it makes me take a second look.

[FailureToCommunicate]

8. He also brings good climate change track record to Sec of State job

"Kerry shot back: “The solution to climate change is energy policy. You want to do business and do it well in America, we got to get into the energy race.” He cited California and his own state of Massachusetts as places where clean energy and energy efficiency are “growing faster than any other sector... This is a job creator.”
from:
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-24/national/36519342_1_climate-change-global-climate-kerry-shot

Also:
http://www.ontheissues.org/international/John_Kerry_Energy_+_Oil.htm

http://www.kerry.senate.gov/work/issues/issue/?id=1fd5c2d7-c30a-449e-bb71-391448f179ff

[onehandle]

9. Of course. Whatever puts Scott Brown back into the Senate.

File this under 'duh.'

[WilliamPitt]

11. Kerry's nomination puts Brown back in office?

I think you skipped a chapter in your civics textbook. Specifically the one that involves the voters of Massachusetts, of whom I am one.

[SunSeeker]

12. I hope there's a helluva lot more than one of you. This will be a tough election. nt

[polmaven]

17. I am also "one"!

Scott Brown has not yet announced, though it is highly expected that he will. I am keeping in mind that, early on he held a good sized lead over Senator Warren, as well, so there is precedent for a convincing win by the Dem. candidate.

The only announced Democrat, so far, is Rep. Markey, a long time Congressman. He has been endorsed by the Governor and by Senator Kerry already, so I am hoping he will overcome Brown, if he runs....May or may not be a tough one. Hard to see that right now!

[MADem]

19. Scott Brown lost a shitload of cred with that PowWow, The Indian Boy crap he pulled

on Warren....that, and the mocking "Perfesser" tone he took, made people realize that Scotty isn't a "regular guy" in a bahhhn coat anna pickmeup truck, he's a meanspirited little asshole whose character is as minuscule as his many other shortcomings that he's displayed down the years!

[karynnj]

20. Is it possible that those things might make his twitter messages

that sound like they were from a sullen, disaffected 12 year old, might show him for the thin skinned very flawed man.

[MADem]

21. I gotta say, I pegged the guy as "Stoooooooooooooo - pid" the first time I heard him speak.

I do think it was vestigial sexism (and a lack of humor on the part of Martha Coakley--she's not a "laugh riot" on her best day) that propelled Scottie Boy into Ted's seat. That curse has been lifted, fortunately, with the election of soon-to-be senior senator Warren.

Ed Markey has a lotta cred, even outside his district. He's a known quantity. I hope that the Big Money doesn't forget him if he needs a deep pocket or two. It is important that we keep that seat.

[SunSeeker]

22. I agree. But why is he polling so far ahead of Markey?

Yes, he polled ahead of Warren at the beginning, but when she exposed him for the tool that he was, she surged past him. That should all still be fresh in people's minds, yet recent poll(s) have him ahead of Markey by double digits. WTF is wrong with people in MA? And can we fix it before a special election with its tradionally low Dem turnout?

[MADem]

23. Markey is a known quantity in his district, and to those of us who pay attention.

However, he is not a well-known quantity outside his district...that said, once his campaign gets underway, it will be a small effort to jog memories.

All it takes is money--and at least one debate. Markey can debate; Scottie can't put a sentence together, as we have seen.

[MADem]

18. Count me in. And it's been my habit to drive dozens of people to the polls.

And, to be clear, by "people" I mean "Democratic voter-people."

[awoke_in_2003]

24. Well, hopefully...

Mass. doesn't dick it up this time.

[Cha]

15. Yeah, because defeatist attitudes always gets one so far.

[bemildred]

10. See? It's easy. nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. Kerry approved - Staff wipes Republican drool off the floor over idea of Scott Brown.

[TwilightGardener]

14. Reading the headlines of foreign problems and possible war the last few weeks, I don't

think losing that seat is the biggest concern. Obama needs an extremely competent manager right now--that's where Kerry needs to be.

[Cha]

16. They can drool all they want. That's all they're good for.

[Kingofalldems]

25. Kick this one