Defense Secretary?

[MBS]

60. this seemed to me a good analysis

I am thoroughly sick of the speculation, and the political maneuvering associated with it, but after reading all the Stuff this is how I feel:
1. SOD would be a terrible fit, and whoever had this idea or started this rumor is either dumb, or totally clueless about what Kerry's strengths are and/or what the SOD job entails OR they have dishonorable intentions. It's a really bad idea. If , God forbid, he's offered this position, I really REALLY hope that he turns it down. Reading the Kaplan article and his account of Les Aspin's (horrible and life-shortening) experience there only hardened my opinion further.
2. Sen. Kerry is more qualified to be SOS than anyone I can think of, and he eminently deserves the recognition. I would love to see him get that recognition and to have his voice at State and in the world. But. Although I've long held the idea that Sen. Kerry would have more freedom and scope as chair of SFRC than SOS, I've gradually come to a "wait and see" view, similar to some others on this thread, concluding that if he's offered this position, and he wants it, he should do it. HOWEVER, after reading Kaplan's article and his analysis of the Obama administration's top-down management style, my doubts about what freedom JK would have to define his own job, and worries that he could be treated cavalierly by the administration, increased once again. If Sen. Kerry becomes SOS, I have no doubt that he would do a cracker-jack job. . .IF the administration gives him rein to do things his way. But the Kaplan article implied that even Hillary had no significant input on policy or SOS priorities . . .would the Obama administration give him full support to , say, connecting the global dots between climate change/environmental issues and international issues? I would hope so, but, like I said, I wonder.
By the way, the article did raise in my mind significant worries about Rice's style. Obama was right to defend her, but after reading some of the quotes in the Kaplan article, I really did wonder about her fit for the job. Which makes me think that, were the choice only between Rice and Kerry, that Kerry would be better for the country. The question is: would it better for Sen. Kerry?
Having watched the Coakley train-wreck up close and personal, I also admit to being nervous about setting the MA senate seat in play at short notice. However, if this does happen, hopefully Walsh is right that they won't let a "Coakley" happen again. (Off topic, but the fact that her name has even been mentioned as a possible senate candidate again is just mind-boggling). In any case, Sen. Kerry should do whatever is best for him -- whatever will give him the most scope, whatever will give him the greatest satisfaction -- and not be held back just because of those considerations. God knows he's earned that right, in spades. Plus I trust his judgment.
3. But if he stays in the Senate, as chair of SFRC, and continuing to work on things he's passionate about, like climate change and other environmental problems and much more, he would continue to be very, very effective, especially since finally (decades too late!) he's getting the wide respect and public acknowledgement of his integrity, intelligence, passion, courage, judgment and deep competence that he's long deserved. He also could continue to be a voice for Democrats, which, because it's essentially a non-partisan office, he would NOT be able to do at State (He was absolutely great as a TV spokesman during the campaign: his witty quips were always something to looking forward to ) Although I would love to see Sen. Kerry free of the incestuous, parochial nature of MA (especially Boston) politics (something that SOS would provide for him), I've returned to thinking (especially if Kaplan's analysis is correct about SOS) that he might be in the end be more satisfied as chair of SFRC.

Well, if he has a choice (and he deserves to at least have a choice), I'm sure he'll do what's best and most appropriate, and he'll continue to grace us with his intelligence, integrity and excellence, whatever he decides to do. But I really, really hope that he doesn't do SOD.