Obama should NOT appoint Kerry to the cabinet

[flyingfysh]

My reason: we just went through a lot of effort in Massachusetts to get rid of Scott Brown and replace him with Elizabeth Warren. If Kerry gets appointed, Brown will just run for the Senate again, and we'll have to work against him all over again. We could use a rest here.

[montanacowboy]

1. I agree, what the hell is he thinking?

n/t

[1-Old-Man]

2. Agreed, and recommended

Unless there is certainty that a progressive Democrat will fill that seat in the Senate then he should be left at least until his current term expires.

[Little Star]

3. I agree!!!! Plus I think he should not...

take 'anyone' from the senate and dilute our seats. We need to worry about getting and keeping majorities, imho.

[William769]

4. Sorry thats not a good enough reason.

If the President asks anyone would be a fool not to listen.

But then again some people might think arm-chair quarterbacks are the right one's to make this call. I don't happen to be one of them.

[roguevalley]

28. and some people put country ahead of their ego

[JanetLovesObama]

5. I find this attitude to be

extremely selfish. Are you being fair to John Kerry? If you beat Brown once, you can beat him again !

[ProSense]

6. It has nothing to do with the Senate seat. n/t

[Bake]

16. It has EVERYTHING to do with the Senate seat!

We just beat our brains out to gain a seat or two. You want to give one away?

Bake

[ProSense]

17. No, it doesn't. n/t

[Bake]

19. Oh, now I see your logic!

Of course, you are correct!



Bake

[Bake]

18. Fair to Kerry?

Is he OWED the SOS position? How about Kerry being fair to his constituents?

He's not owed anything. He's had the privilege of being a lifelong public servant, elected by the people of his state, and the Senate is a rather privileged place. That is a privilege. He's not "owed" anything but gratitude for his service.

He needs to stay where he is NEEDED.

Bake

[karynnj]

24. He has served as Senator for 28 years

and he has often said it is a privilege that he is grateful for. However, it was pretty well known that he really hoped to be President in 2004 and to be appointed Secretary of State in 2008.

In both yeas, many people argued that given his experience, personality, and gravitas, he was the obvious choice. (Yes, even over Hillary)

The question is whether Obama considers that he needs Kerry as Secretary of State - even though he knows that loses a very strong, capable ally in the Senate. I note that you speak of what he owes Massachusetts - and suggest that he is owed nothing in return except "gratitude". The question is whether he ever asked for anything more. I don't think he has. In addition, you can not complain with how hard and how thoughtfully he has done his job - often quietly with very little praise. (I note that your post is not saying even you want him in the Senate because of who he is, but as a Democratic cog - not a lot of gratitude there.)

No one is EVER "owed" an appointment. Obama should pick people so where they end up is the best possible configuration for him to get things done. It may be that he will ask Kerry to stay where he is because he is very very useful in the Senate. The dilemma is NOT so much that there will be another special election, but that Kerry's talents are extraordinary in EITHER position. (I doubt that a second special election would get the same low turn out - people were caught unaware last time. Not to mention, he can not as successfully claim to be not really a Republican as he seemed to do last time.)

[roguevalley]

29. plus a zillion

[HopeHoops]

7. It's definitely something that should be considered, but Kerry would be great.

[Chan790]

8. I think the situation is not that clear...

I'm pretty sure Obama wants Kerry as SoS.
I'm certain that Kerry wants to be SoS.
I think Obama feels that he owes Kerry the nomination for SoS for his work on his campaign.

If I were Kerry and I were screwed over for your reason, I'd be pissed enough to retire from the Senate as soon as I could without it looking like retaliation.

[JanetLovesObama]

12. I AGREE

AND I would lose respect for President Obama if he were to pass over Kerry because of a MA Senate seat.

[MoonchildCA]

14. Actually, I heard yesterday on the news

that Kerry was being considered for SoD, and Susan Rice for SoS.

[karynnj]

26. If Obama gave positions because they were "owed", his case in 2008 would have been

just as strong. Simply put, without Kerry, Obama w0ould not have become President in 2004.

1) Obama's national recognition came nearly 100% from the keynote speech. Otherwise, he would simply have been a Senator with 2 years in office in 2007 when he declared.

2) Kerry's endorsement AFTER Obama lost NH Kerry had given it to him earlier and he let Obama choose the time to make it public. An Obama person said that they were surprised that Kerry was willing to give it after NH when there was a real chance Hillary Clinton would win - and win or lose, the Clintons would hold it against him. (It is not clear without Kerry's endorsement and his immediate availability as a surrogate that Bill Clinton would have turned so negative, triggering the Kennedy endorsement.

[C_U_L8R]

9. MA needs a deeper bench

where are all the great local Dems?
I'm sure they are there. Hello?

[NV Whino]

10. I agree

Do not deplete a strong senate seat to fill the cabinet. There's plenty of talent available who are not currently holding an office, and I include governors when I refer to holding an office.

[MA Mom]

11. I agree

This country needs a strong voice like Kerry's in the Senate.
And in MA, I'm tired! We had to work against Scott Brown in 2010 and again in 2012, please not again for a while.

[Waltons_Mtn]

13. I agree!

[geardaddy]

15. Agreed.

[babylonsister]

20. Disagree.

Kerry has higher aspirations and the wisdom to be a sterling representative for our country in whatever position he might be offered or take.
Have you ever worked hard at a job, got great reviews from your bosses, but were consistently passed over for promotion? How'd that make you feel?
There has got to be someone in MA that has the credentials to fill Kerry's shoes. And who gets to decide this anyway?

[roguevalley]

30. he has a job. we are in extremis here.that trumps his ego

[WilliamPitt]

21. Relax

The law that requires a special election was created by MA Democrats to keep then-Gov. Romney from appointing Kerry's successor if Kerry won in 2004. Before 2004, the gov could appoint a replacement. If Kerry is going to get tapped, they'll change the law back to the appointment rule. It won't even take an afternoon.

[Thrill]

22. Yeah it means Scott Brown is likely to make a comeback

The problem is. I think Kerry is sick of being in the Senate and wants to be in the Cabinet

[Jersey Devil]

23. Since when does electing someone to office convey ownership rights on that person by voters?

John Kerry is no one's property. He can do what he wants just like anyone else. If he wants to retire and grow pineapples in Hawaii that would be his business, not ours.

[geek tragedy]

25. Picking Napolitano and Sebelius gave us Jan Brewer and Sam Brownback as governors.

Picking Salazar almost gave us Ken Buck as a Senator. Brown won the last open election for a seat in Massachusetts. He's got a big familiarity edge over whatever Democrat runs against him.

Time for some retreads in cabinet positions.

[lady lib]

27. Yup. He needs to stay put. nt

[sarcasmo]

31. Kick!