“We do not want to concertina-wire America off from the world”
– Senator John Kerry
President Obama:
….I’m looking ahead to my second term. And I am very proud to announce my choice for America’s next secretary of state, John Kerry. In a sense, John’s entire life has prepared him for this role. As the son of a Foreign Service officer, he has a deep respect for the men and women of the State Department — the role they play in advancing our interests and values, the risks that they undertake and the sacrifices that they make, along with their families.
Having served with valor in Vietnam, he understands that we have a responsibility to use American power wisely, especially our military power. And he knows from personal experience that when we send our troops into harm’s way, we must give them the sound strategy, a clear mission, and the resources that they need to get the job done.
Click here for a transcript of President Obama’s remarks as he nominates Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to the Cabinet position of Secretary of State, replacing Hillary Clinton (via WaPo).
CBS News: Obama taps John Kerry to be Secretary of State
CNN: Obama nominates John Kerry to be secretary of state
WaPo: President Obama has nominated John Kerry for secretary of state
USA Today: John Kerry will face significant challenges
NBC News: Obama taps Kerry for Secretary of State
State Department: Hillary Clinton’s Statement on Kerry Nomination.
Ah..at last, an elder statesman. A modern day Warren Christopher. No more hectoring and demanding that our former tyrant friends pay their taxes; stop torturing and killing their own people. Kerry was the guy who the Pakistanis respected and would listen to. (Oh, right, we don’t talk about them any more.) And he’s met with Assad 3 times and will be able to lead a new comprehensive policy there? (About 3 years late if you ask me.) But I do believe he will be good on security and protect State lives. Let’s give the guy a chance. If he raises morale at State people will realize Obama is the guy who never had a foreign policy.