Sen. Kerry congratulates the new Natl Security Team for Pres Obama

[TayTay]

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.”

This is a nice and gracious statement. I think Sen. Kerry is looking forward to working with the new team.

[beachmom]

1. Yes, a very gracious statement. I think this WP reporter is way off base:

Regardless of what the Inside the Beltway set say, things will look up from here on out.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/12/john_kerry_wins_class_act_awar.html?hpid=topnews

It Hurts To Be John Kerry Today

It must have been painful, but at least it was classy. Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) reaction statement to President-elect Obama's choice for secretary of state was the first to arrive in the Sleuth's inbox (besides, of course, Bill Clinton's).

...

Instead of traveling the globe and crafting U.S. foreign policy, Kerry will get the consolation prize of serving as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has jurisdiction over confirming Clinton and the rest of the national security team.

They couldn't resist, could they?

[Mass]

2. Anne Marie Sleuth is unfortunately a gossip blogger, with very little interest in the truth.

[ProSense]

3. That person is an idiot:

Instead of traveling the globe and crafting U.S. foreign policy

The SoS doesn't craft policy. As SFRC chair, Kerry will have a significant role in crafting foreign policy.

Also, the writer appears to have no clue about Kerry's upcoming travels, including leading the delegation to Poznan.

[Mass]

4. She shares her dillusion with quite a few DUers. Apparently, the world revolves around the Clintons.

[karynnj]

5. I am encouraged by the Poznan trip and the fact that Kerry will likely be Obama's person there

in addition to being the leader of the Congressional delegation. As their goal is to have a treaty by December 2009, Kerry will, not only continue to be part of the international effort - but he will likely be the person who will get this passed by the Senate.

I listened to the 2 SFRC hearings on Bali - the link to the first no longer works because the SFCR site is down (for renovations maybe ???). Part of the second hearing is here - http://www.kerryvision.net/2008/04/in_defense_of_treehuggers.html - click on Senator Kerry's photo. Even with Bush as President, Kerry was a key player there. The President’s chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, James Connaughton said:

“I would particularly also want to call out thanks to Senator Kerry for coming to Bali. I would note that the remarks he gave in Bali were very constructive in helping to educate the international community on the needs, what it would take for America to move forward together in a bi-partisan way. I thought those remarks were very well received. Senator Kerry, thank you for that.”

At a later hearing, Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat (around 4 minutes in) said:

"The fact that we had a treaty was significantly due to the fact that Senator Kerry was there. He was a virtual part of our negotiating team, without his day and night support and lobbying of the EU. we would not have gotten a treaty.

As to not traveling the Globe, I guess they never noticed that Biden, Kerry and the rest of the SFRC do this all the time.

[TayTay]

6. Sen Kerry mentioned last week at an energy forum in Boston

That is online here: http://www.jkmediasource.org/node/173

That he is going on a trip to Poland, then the Republic of Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and then Afghanistan. All this well before the Senate is resworn on Jan. 6th of next year.

This is what the Senate Foreign Relations Committee oversees for the Congressional branch of govt:

JURISDICTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

(Excerpted from Rules of the Committee)

Rule 1 — Jurisdiction

(a) Substantive. — In accordance with Senate Rule XXV.1(j)(1), the jurisdiction of the Committee shall extend to all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects:

1. Acquisition of land and buildings for embassies and legations in foreign countries.

2. Boundaries of the United States.

3. Diplomatic service.

4. Foreign economic, military, technical, and humanitarian assistance.

5. Foreign loans.

6. International activities of the American National Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

7. International aspects of nuclear energy, including nuclear transfer policy.

8. International conferences and congresses.

9. International law as it relates to foreign policy.

10. International Monetary Fund and other international organizations established primarily for international monetary purposes (except that, at the request of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, any proposed legislation relating to such subjects reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations shall be referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs).

11. Intervention abroad and declarations of war.

12. Measures to foster commercial intercourse with foreign nations and to safeguard American business interests abroad.

13. National security and international aspects of trusteeships of the United States.

14. Ocean and international environmental and scientific affairs as they relate to foreign policy.

15. Protection of United States citizens abroad and expatriation.

16. Relations of the United States with foreign nations generally.

17. Treaties and executive agreements, except reciprocal trade agreements.

18. United Nations and its affiliated organizations.

19. World Bank group, the regional development banks, and other international organizations established primarily for development assistance purposes.

The Committee is also mandated by Senate Rule XXV.1(j)(2) to study and review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to the national security policy, foreign policy, and international economic policy as it relates to foreign policy of the United States, and matters relating to food, hunger, and nutrition in foreign countries, and report thereon from time to time.

(b) Oversight. — The Committee also has a responsibility under Senate Rule XXVI.8, which provides that “. . . each standing Committee . . . shall review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, and execution of those laws or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of the Committee.”

(c) “Advice and Consent” Clauses. — The Committee has a special responsibility to assist the Senate in its constitutional function of providing ``advice and consent'' to all treaties entered into by the United States and all nominations to the principal executive branch positions in the field of foreign policy and diplomacy.

This would be a very full plate under any circumstances.

[karynnj]

7. I love that video!

I especially liked that he spoke of working with the administration - but being independent. He really did seem incredibly excited about the work - it was great that he was trying to harness the energy of the activists. It will be tough to get people to change but he is the right person to do it.

That list is enormous - and he really does sound like he wants to change the committee's activities.

[fedupinBushcountry]

8. That video was great

Can't wait for the SFRC hearings to begin with JK in charge. I think he is going to be terrific and really make things happen.

[MBS]

9. the Rude Pundit

has rude but thoughtful comments on who really "wins" with the cabinet picks..you know what? Kerry's the guy who's got the plum appt. I'm so glad he's staying in the Senate, where he can retain his voice, and use the full gamut of his experience and interests.

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2008/12/obamas-cabinet-choices-are-shut-fuck-up.html

But let's just say this as Barack Obama introduces his national security team and people huff and puff about whether they're hawks or not progressive enough or problem children or disappointing or what the fuck ever: Ultimately, the cabinet does the bidding of the president. Sure, they offer ideas and guide the departments. But they are policy implementers. Nothing less and nothing more. You have to be willing to go along with the boss to do the job, or you don't take it. And it's all a political game. If we know anything at all about Barack Obama, it's that he's one crafty motherfucker in the realm of politics.

(more at the link)