John Kerry congratulates Clinton and other national security nominees

[sabra]

http://www.politickerma.com/jeremyjacobs/2024/kerry-congratulates-clinton-and-other-national-security-nominees

Kerry congratulates Clinton and other national security nominees


U.S. Sen. John Kerry, once widely speculated to be on President-elect Barack Obama's shortlist for secretary of state, congratulated the eventual nominee, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, and the other newly nominated members of Obama's national security team on Monday.

Obama named his national security team picks Monday morning at a press conference in Chicago.

"As secretary of state, my friend and colleague Hillary Clinton will bring her years of experience and her remarkable intellect to the effort to restore our alliances and advance the president's agenda in the world," Kerry, a Boston Democrat, said.

Kerry is likely to work closely with Clinton and other members of this team as the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"President-Elect Obama has chosen a terrific national security team to protect our security and help restore America's rightful place in the world," Kerry said. "I look forward to working with my distinguished colleague Sen. Richard Lugar to ensure a swift and fair confirmation process and working closely with the new Administration."

[ClarkUSA]

1. Class act, considering Hillaryland's fatwa against him after his 2007 Obama endorsement.

I love the guy.

[ProSense]

2. Full statement:

12/01/2008

Incoming Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry Congratulates the President-Elect's National Security Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today released the following statement on President-Elect Barack Obama’s announcement of his national security team:

“President-Elect Obama has chosen a terrific national security team to protect our security and help restore America’s rightful place in the world. General Jones and Governor Napolitano are bright, strategic thinkers dedicated to the security of the nation. Eric Holder will lend integrity and experience to the Justice Department. Secretary Gates brings not just institutional knowledge but a keen understanding of the global challenge we face, Susan Rice is a sharp, trusted foreign policy mind who will bring an incredible ability and energy to the United Nations, and as Secretary of State, my friend and colleague Hillary Clinton will bring her years of experience and her remarkable intellect to the effort to restore our alliances and advance the President’s agenda in the world. As the incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to working with my distinguished colleague Sen. Richard Lugar to ensure a swift and fair confirmation process and working closely with the new Administration.”

[Mass]

3. Thanks for posting that. A class act guy. Proud that he is my senator\nt

[Marrah_G]

6. I love our Senator !

I would hate to have lost him right now when Sen. Kennedy is so ill. I think that had much to do with it. We need his strength in the Senate now more then ever.

[Alter Ego]

10. Considering the ravening mob that is eyeing Kennedy's Senate seat

like a piece of particularly juicy steak, I'd say we need them more than anyone could ever know.

[karynnj]

14. I agree that we need him in the Senate

He is again leading the Congressional delegation to the Climate Talks, as he did at Bali - when he ended up being the entire Congressional delegation. The intention is a treaty by December 2009. Earlier this year, people from the official Bush delegation praised Kerry's work leading up to and at that summit - with one even saying that there would not have been the agreement there was without him. As chair of the SFRC, I would guess that he will take the lead in getting the eventual treaty passed.

In addition, if Obama respects his opinion, he will be a big influence on the actual policy; if Obama doesn't, I am glad that he will be an independent voice.

[onefreespiritedchick]

4. I'm curious to why Kerry wasn't on this list?

I thought he was qualified for some of the positions.

[Mass]

5. He is chair of the SFRC, another powerful position and one that does not depend of whom the

president is and wants. A very good deal for him, I think.

[ProSense]

8. Kerry is in a great position in the Senate

more info

[CK_John]

16. IMO, it probably had to do with the vetting process of his wife's financial holdings and her willing

to be vetted. Just my opinion.

[karynnj]

18. I doubt that - have you seen their filing for the Senate that

was thoroughly looked at in 2004? Most of her assets are in state or federal bonds, the rest in prominent US companies. What was notable was that her finances were so conservative. As to her foundation, unlike Bill Clinton's it has no donors - it was endowed by an earlier Heinz - and the grants are public record. There is no controversy surrounding Teresa's work, which is on things like woman's health, green building and other environmental issues, women's pensions etc.

I think the reason is very simple - he has the alternative of being a high powered powerful Senator, chairing the SFRC. As such, he will have as direct an input to the President in making foreign policy as he would as Secretary of State. There is no reason that Obama would weigh his advice differently dependent on position. The other thing is that it lets him maintain his independence.

As chair of the SFRC, Kerry will likely be the person to get the climate treaty passed that is supposed to be done by 2009. He will head the Congressional delegation to Poland this month to do that. Kerry is also a senior member of the Commerce committee which also has a role in this issue. (Kerry introduced a bill in the lame duck session for high speed rail - both because of environment and energy reasons and because it is an infastructure bill that would create jobs, while re-building the country.)

In addition, another reason that Kerry likely meant what he said hundreds of times in the fall that the only job he was running for was the one he held was that MA faces losing it's senior Senator. This likely played a role.

[ProSense]

19. Not only that, but he was also the Democratic candidate in 2004

He was challenged on every aspect of his finances, and when the right had nothing left, they demanded to see her late husband's Will.

[blm]

21. Those have been picked clean since 2003-4. Plus, their financial holdings have been completely

separate their entire marriage.

Your assumption here is 100% wrong.

Kerry has the power to craft foreign policy and the legislation that will effect that policy with an independent power base in the senate. He also has some serious investigations planned. He couldn't do that as SoS.

[Fabio]

22. I doubt that.

They went through full disclosure in 2004 as the nominee. Also, the Heinz Endowments dont fundraise, they only disburse.

[Unbowed]

23. Overqualified, actually. He is needed in the Senate.

Finally, with the repukes out of power, he'll be able to see some desperately needed legislation to fruition. The Small Business Committee, which Kerry chairs, is going to be crucial in the salvation of our economy. Kerry's been on that committee since he's been in the Senate. We need him there now more than ever. And he's going to be Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We need Kerry there because he is committed to seeing us end the occupation in Iraq.

I've heard a lot of bitching about appointees being too conservative OR NOT LIBERAL ENOUGH, but appointees are beholden to the president's vision. Senators not so much. We need Kerry right where he is, hard at work in the Senate. He is one of the most progressive senators and he will be in there legislating.

President Obama's staff will work for him. Senator Kerry will work for us.

[jillan]

7. I am so excited to watch SFRC hearings with John Kerry at the gavel.

I know he would have been an excellent pick as SoS, but his talent and knowledge is much needed in the Senate as chair of this powerful committee. He will be able to assist this administration in many, many ways.



I loves me some John Kerry.

[TayTay]

9. This should be a great team

and a very refreshing change from the current Administration.

I'm sure Senator Kerry will work closely with President-elect Obama and his new security team to implement a lot of change in how this country conducts it's foreign policy.

Much congratulations to all!

[BeyondGeography]

11. Pure class from Kerry, as usual

:patriot:

[beachmom]

12. The most intriguing pick is Jim Jones as NSA.

A military guy opposed to the Iraq War.

Looking forward to seeing what the national security team puts together to get us out of the mess Bush made.

[PresidentObama]

13. What a great team, and Kerry will make a great SFRC chairman. Classy statement, Senator Kerry.

[TheDonkey]

15. Wish Kerry could have been SoS. Such a shame.

:(

[alwysdrunk]

17. should

ah well. Let's just hope Hillary does a stellar job. All the faith that all of these people have in her, maybe we should have some too.

[karynnj]

20. Kerry seems excited with the work he will be doing with the SFRC

He will be using it to address global warming - as well as the obvious issues. (The treaty expected by December 2009 would go through that committee.) Here's a late November Faneuil Hall forum he attended on energy - http://www.jkmediasource.org/node/173

Though I think Kerry would be an exceptional diplomat - I think it is nice that he will be an independent voice - something that a cabinet member can't have.

[Top Cat]

24. I love Kerry.....

[Starry Messenger]

25. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

Thank you for this. It brings a tear to my eye. I live so far away from Mass that I rely on DU for news about my favorite out-of-state Senator. I can't wait to see his future work in the next decade. What a wonderful statement.

[fedupinBushcountry]

26. Such a class act

Can't wait till the SFRC gets underway with JK in charge, I think we are in for some changes when it is needed most.

[Muttocracy]

27. I think Kerry would have been a fantastic Sec of State, but he offer so much more

that I'm glad to have him as one of the leaders of the Senate.

:patriot: