High praise for Kerry from Elizabeth Warren and Deval Patrick

[karynnj]

Of course, it was likely in response to the BG asking about SOS speculation, but I would not mind if people not wanting Kerry to be SOS did so admitting that he was valuable in the Senate and very qualified to be SOS. He deserves both parts due to work he has quietly done.

Here is Warren's comment:

‘Sen. Kerry is an enormously talented man and a dedicated public servant. I have no doubt he would make an extraordinary secretary of state, but right now he’s making tremendous contributions to our country through his work in the United States Senate,’’ Warren said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/11/11/election-over-talk-mass-turns-next-one/S6E4eXHZgddYlpghbNXI4H/story.html

Amazingly, it seems Glenn Johnson is still in love with Brown - lying that he consistently polls as the most popular politician in MA when in fact Kerry has consistently beaten him for over a year.

http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2012/11/07/election-propels-elizabeth-warren-senate-and-scott-brown-toward-next-political-venture/gNGv4D1kXjMxUxMBIWCOIM/story.html

[ginnyinWI]

1. who would succeed JK if he became SOS?

Who do you think would likely get elected in his place? And who would be next up for Foreign Relations Chair? I do think JK wants the promotion...maybe these two are just giving him cover so he can choose without feeling pressure.

[DCKit]

3. I agree. Like Warren (and several others), he can serve us best in the Senate.

However if Hillary (and I think she's been fabulous) leaves, he's a damn good choice. Dude's been around the block once or twice.

[freshwest]

2. Kerry has always been a fine Senator. Thank you, people of MA for supporting him.

[ProSense]

4. Wonderful comment.

What a great moment, having Elizabeth Warren and John Kerry in the Senate. Thank you Massachusetts.

[protect our future]

5. Yes, John Kerry is valuable

in the Senate, and yes, if Senator Kerry left it might open up his Senate seat to Scott Brown, and yes, he deserves to be SOS and that position may be offered to him. But I wish anyone here at DU who has decided he must stay in the Senate would STFU. The man is an extraordinary human being who gets little credit from outsiders for all he has done for this country over the years. If Senator Kerry is offered the position, let's allow him to decide what he should do. I am sure he will choose what is best. (Sorry, but I sometimes go grrrrrrrr !!/#!! ballistic kaboom when I perceive my hero JK is not being treated with the deference I think he deserves, so now I, too, will STFU, lol.)

[oldhippydude]

6. kerry on sir!!!............n/t

[Luftmensch067]

7. I understand your vehemence, but not your apparent animosity

I think our admiration for Senator Kerry's achievements and regret for the lack of credit he receives is equal. I happen to wish fervently that he would stay in the Senate, you do not wish to opine either way, it seems, but I hope you don't think I should "STFU". I have no desire to "decide" that he "must stay in the Senate", I simply feel that though he is uniquely qualified to be Secretary of State, the country would be better served if he continued for as many years as possible to advocate in the Senate for *all* the issues for which he is a passionate and skilled champion: foreign relations, climate change, finance, internet freedom, and generally a return to ethics and responsibility for our nation rather than to essentially retire after a limited term in a role he has been playing unofficially in any case while still retaining his larger scope.

I imagine the reason for your vehemence is that you are as sick as I am of the constant discussion and speculation and personally I can't wait 'til there is some decision by both the president and the Senator and we don't have to hear about it anymore, but saying that people should STFU and assuming that because they might not exactly agree with you, they must not hold Senator Kerry in equal regard, is not useful, in my opinion.

[karynnj]

9. I suspect - based on the post only - that you two are actually in agreement

I know that MY post was not intended to push against you or other MA (or non MA) people arguing that Kerry is a unique resource in the Senate for ALL the things you list and that that job allows him more freedom to speak his truth.

The people I was pushing back against were those who treated Kerry as just another D in the Senate or worse someone not deserving or qualified for the position. I think Warren's comment speaks to the fact that he is incredibly valuable in either position.

[Mass]

11. I think it may be referring to people who have an ulterior motive.

I may be the only one, but I find extremely suspect that, just a few days after articles by influential foreign policy reporters said it was Kerry (which in itself was a little premature as we do not know when Secretary Clinton will step down), SIX former and current WH staffers leaked to the media it was Rice. It was a done deal, etc. I love Susan Rice. I hope it is her if it is not Kerry. I may even wish it was her rather than Kerry. But really? SIX people.

I think that some of the people who are claiming Kerry is too valuable in the Senate are suspect too. I do not think those people in the Democratic Party who dislike Kerry (not talking about DUers here, but people who are players in this game) have disappeared. They have just repackaged their argument another way. He is too valuable. Menendez would be a bad SFRC chair (I remember when the argument was that Feingold would be a bad chair in 2008). So, yes, I agree with protectourfuture. I wont be happy if we have a new Senate campaign next year, but I wished people who do not want Kerry could show enough respect to stop talking how it would be inconvenient that he became SoS.

[Blaukraut]

12. I want him to stay in the Senate, too

Put public service above his ambitions, and knowing JK, that is exactly what he will do. The only way we could keep Brown out of a vacant Senate seat, would be if Deval Patrick appointed himself to it, and then ran in the special election. And even then, it's not a given. No, Senator Kerry should stick around until Elizabeth Warren has been groomed and gained some experience and a second term, and then we'll let him retire if he wants to. SoS is a one time gig and has to be apolitical. John Kerry can do a world of good as Foreign Relations committee chair, too. Possibly more so, because he can act independently of the President, something a SoS cannot do.

[protect our future]

13. Mass and karynnj,

the two of you have expressed what I feel much better than I, myself, can, and I wish either one of you could critique my posts before I post them. Luftmensch, thank you for putting me in my place, and justly so.

After eight years of never-dissipating anger at the national media for its treatment of Senator Kerry in '04 and now hearing what he should or should not do as expressed by people who are relatively uninformed, or who have their own agenda, or who are simply parroting the opinion of others just because it sounds good, I reach overload and tend to explode and spew venom on all who are unfortunately in the area.

I apologize to all the regulars in the John Kerry Forum who might think my post was directed toward any of you. It wasn't. You guys are the best.

Here's a thought. I would think Senator Kerry and President Obama have already discussed the SOS situation extensively, thrown around some ideas, and a decision has already been reached. All that time those two spent together in debate prep? That's all those two were doing or discussing? Nah.

[Luftmensch067]

14. Pax from me, too!

I didn't really want to put you in your place -- karynnj is right of course, we totally agree (and we are both much more irritated at people who criticize JK out of ignorance than anyone else!) -- I was just cranky when I woke up in the middle of the night and saw STFU!

I think you must be right that both the President and the Senator already pretty much know what is going to happen, barring surprises. Now we just have to wait to find out.

I hope not too much longer though, because I'm pretty darn near overload myself!!!

On another note, I saw the Lincoln film (Spielberg, not zombies) yesterday and I have a feeling most of our regulars here will love it as much as I did!

[karynnj]

8. Same here - there are times when I have felt comfortable

ONLY in the John Kerry group here- which has been continuously active since it started in late 2004/early 2005.

[Mass]

10. +1000.

[politicasista]

15. Excellent posts

Haven't been much help (don't like shade at people that work hard), but chimed in on this in another thread.

Not much more to add, just to say that the cases made for both positions are good.

Peace.