John Kerry Secretary Of State: Top Dems Nervous About Political Ripple Effects

[GreenTea]

Many here at DU feel this is not one of the reasons why republicans like McCain are trashing Susan Rice...There are many reasons this is definitely one. And it should be a big concern for aware Democrats.

WASHINGTON -- As President Barack Obama's presumed nomination of Susan Rice for secretary of state continues to face controversy over the administration's handling of the consulate attack in Benghazi, there is growing concern among top Democrats that Obama may turn to Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) as his fallback choice.

The concerns have nothing to do with Kerry's ability to handle the Foggy Bottom post. Nearly everyone agrees that he has the intellectual acumen and experience for the job.

Instead, Democrats said they worry that Republicans may be using the secretary of state fight as a roundabout way to regain a Senate seat the GOP lost this fall, when Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) was defeated by Elizabeth Warren. The anti-Rice gambit, some Democrats said, has the feel of a Republican long con.

"I don’t doubt that at all in terms of their motives," said Tad Devine, a longtime Democratic strategist who served as a senior adviser to Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. "I think they are trying to come down from 55 [Democrats] to get to 50 as fast as they can in the Senate."

In back channels, these concerns are making their way to the top levels of the administration. Top Senate Democrats have expressed concerns to the White House about a possible special election for a Senate seat in Massachusetts, a Democratic source close to conversation told The Huffington Post. Another Democratic source -- who, like the first, would only discuss sensitive conversations on condition of anonymity -- confirmed that concerns were expressed. A third source added that leaders in the Senate also said they would be comfortable with a prospective Kerry nomination if it is clear that the White House is invested in a subsequent special election.

Kerry's office declined to comment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/john-kerry-secretary-of-state_n_2241367.html

[kelliekat44]

1. I don't bekieve Dems have to worry about a special election. nt

[LaPera]

2. I completely agee with the Dems concerns.....

[sadbear]

3. Janet Napalitano's appointment got us Jan Brewer.

Concern is justified.

[leveymg]

5. That was a state election in Arizona.

[leveymg]

4. They treat this as news? The biggest worry is that Kerry might actually try a diplomatic approach

Just run one of the Kennedys or in-laws or their friends. The GOP are a broken party in MA.

[blm]

6. More of those 'DC insider' leaks that always target Kerry. Same as it ever was.

Establishment GOP and Dems will always target Kerry to keep him from documents, historical and current, that he might be able to access with any increased power.

[skrempi313]

7. We Will Beat Brownie Again. He Didn't Do A Heckuva Job

[ROBROX]

8. THIS IS A TRUE BLUE STATE

The last and forgotten GOP senate member tried to walk the line and fell because he failed his people. They would have to really dress some clown in sheep's clothing to even get a chance. The question is are the people in this tiny state really STUPID???

The GOP will try anything and I think Kerry would make a great S.S.