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John Heilemann reported today that Obama first asked BIDEN if he wanted to be Sec. of State or if

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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:13 PM
Original message
John Heilemann reported today that Obama first asked BIDEN if he wanted to be Sec. of State or if
Edited on Sun Dec-07-08 03:21 PM by jenmito
he'd prefer a "specific portfolio" (before choosing him for VP) and Biden said he didn't WANT to be SoS but he wanted to be "advisor in chief" which is why he was chosen as VP. Biden ALSO wanted HILLARY to be SoS (over Kerry).

Heilemann ALSO reported that Obama asked the top 4 or 5 people around him to give their short lists of who they'd like to see in his cabinet and almost everybody who's been named so far was on Biden's short list, so he's more influential than many people may think, which should give some of Obama's critics some comfort, I think. (This was on The Chris Matthews Show.)
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polichick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:23 PM
Response to Original message
1. Wonder if he asked Kerry the same thing - or anyone else.
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:27 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Well, if he did, I would think that reporter would've known. n/t
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polichick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:39 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. Many posters here love Kerry and/or Clark...
...but neither seems to be as beloved by Obama.
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. But I don't think Obama has anything AGAINST either one...
he obviously doesn't feel either one of them is the best to be his VP/Sec. of State.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 04:19 PM
Response to Reply #5
9. Kerry may well have not been eager to leave his Senate seat
The Obama campaign liked Kerry well enough that he was very prominent as their surrogate - even on the last MTP. They also did not vet his exceptional 2008 convention speech. So, it does mean they trust him.

He is very very well postioned to likely be the most powerful liberal/progressive Senator (the Kennedy wing) in the future. It also keeps Kerry as an independent voice. Kerry spoke constantly and enthusiastly this fall in MA about how "he didn't get in to government just to stop bad things, but to do good things" and that with the Seanet majority they were likely to have and a President Obama would let him do things he wanted to do.

There is also the fact, that unlike many politicians Kerry doesn't owe anyone his seat because they "gave' it to him - he was not the media or party favorite when he first ran for Senate. The one group of people he does owe is the people of Massachusetts who have voted for him - for 5 terms as Senator, 1 as LT GOV, and as President. He may feel that the likely loss of one beloved Senator will be hard enough on the state.

Kerry will have the chair of the SFRC, and he seems enthusiastic with what he can do with it - speaking of hearings on things like:
- the global warming treaty that will be written by December 2009 (Kerry is going later this week to the global warming talks in Poland, heading a Congressional delegation - Obama is sending no one and has said he will be briefed by the Congressional delegation. Kerry was praised even by the Bush Bali team for his major contributions.)

- an international solution to tax havens like the Cayman Islands. Kerry in a Senate Finance committee hearing on this spoke of it as both a national security issue (what you can't see can be a problem) and as a basic fairness issue - as others have to pay more becuase of this. Any Edwards' fans who liked that he would fight coruption might be impressed by Kerry, who is the real deal on this - here's a link to a Q/A that mentions it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5ZlrbkdBNk There is likely no one else as able to do this as Kerry is the only person on both the SFRC and the Finance committee.

- It would also seem that as the Geneva Convention is an international treaty, they might be able to have hearings - on complying going forward. Few people could or would do this - and Kerry is very likely the best.

In addition, from his other committees, he has many things he has been working on - most notably a big high speed rail bill that he has already gotten substantial bi-partisan support for.

Joe Biden had long ago ruled out taking Secretary of State under either Obama or Clinton. Kerry's situation in the Senate is more similar to Biden's than to HRC's, where she really had no chair and little seniority. Biden has more seniority, but (before Biden was VP - when he said that) Kerry had far more of a public presence. Kerry has also always been more willing to be independent from the party when he thinks it is the right thing to do.

There have been smears against Kerry's role in the Senate - and they've come from both Republicans and Democrats. The truth is better seen by the fact that his peers waived the rule limiting Senators to 2 "Super A" committees, to let him switch from the Banking Committee to the prestigous Finance committee, without giving up Commerce and Finance.

""Super A" committees. Republican Conference rules limit party members to service on only one of the so-called "Super A" committees--Appropriations, Armed Services, Finance, and Foreign Relations. Democrats observe the same practice for five committees--these four plus the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation"
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Committees.htm
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polichick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 04:22 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. Well, I hope that's the case - I wanted to see him in the administration...
Got to meet him when he campaigned with our Congressman on behalf of Obama ~ such a nice guy.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #11
19. I agree with you completely that he is a nice guy
I've met him a few of times ata rallies, speeches and his book tour with other JK group people. I went to the campaign event the night before the election in Hyannis - an event that Kennedy always did - but was too ill this year. It was amazing seeing him interact with people in MA. (It was especially cool seeing young kids incredibly excited to see their Senator. ) http://www.johnkerry.com/multimedia/entry/barnstable_democratic_town_committee_election_eve_rally_video/

The Obama team used many things that Kerry did - including a short clip from a Fox News (!) appearance with Lindsey Graham where Kerry perfectly framed Obama's actions on the baillout vs McCain's that they put out on their web site. They know what he did for them - and they need strong Senators to get big things passed. It might be that he was too big an ally in the Senate to loss.

I have no idea if he wanted it - and I doubt he will ever say. What I do know is that whatever position he is in, I completely trust that he will continue to fight for all the things he believes in.
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Cha Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 05:22 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. I love Kerry having all that responsibility
Edited on Sun Dec-07-08 05:23 PM by zidzi
where he is..Mass needs him and our country needs this excellent Democratic Senator in the Senate.

Strategic placement of all the top notch people.
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 07:07 PM
Response to Reply #16
21. I agree...
having him in the Senate, in such a senior role, is a very good place for him to be, and I'm sure he felt that way.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #2
6. I doubt it - Kerry has never been prone to leaking confidences
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:51 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. And Biden HAS?
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 04:22 PM
Response to Reply #8
10. No, but IF this is true, Biden is very likely the one who spoke to the media
My point was NOT that Biden leaks, but that Kerry doesn't.
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Tutonic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:28 PM
Response to Original message
3. Ok...Heilemann is that thing living beneath Jill and Joe Biden's bed
huh? What VP would provide these specifics to a reporter?!
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Who said BIDEN told this to a reporter? These people have "sources."
Edited on Sun Dec-07-08 03:30 PM by jenmito
:shrug:
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Jennicut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
12. I am glad Biden took the VP job, he will be a good overall adviser to Obama with all his experience
Biden never wanted to just do any special jobs as VP either, as Gore did. I think he will be a very good VP, maybe more powerful then Gore was but not the level of Cheney (no co presidency needed). I think Obama chose him for his advice, he has been in the Senate forever and through 7 presidents so I think he will have some good advice for Obama. As far as Kerry and Hillary go, maybe Biden knew he would be leaving the SFRC in good hands with Kerry?
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 04:54 PM
Response to Reply #12
14. I agree...
I think Kerry is happy chairing the SFRC.
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tritsofme Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 04:42 PM
Response to Original message
13. Obama's smartest move thus far: Keeping Kerry from
being a public face of his administration.
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ProSense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 05:07 PM
Response to Reply #13
15. One of Obama's smartest move thus far:
engaging Kerry as his top surrogate after his endorsement. It has worked out splendidly for both.



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Cha Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 05:24 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. Sorry, your post is teeming with
Ignorance.
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polichick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 05:28 PM
Response to Reply #13
18. Why? Kerry's great - incredibly smart.
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karynnj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 06:04 PM
Response to Reply #13
20. Weren't you the poster who defended Kyl/Lieberman
and was extremely pro HRC and very anti- Obama?

The fact is that Obama let Kerry give an unvetted convention speech - which Kerry wrote and was called the best non-acceptance sppech in 2 decades (since Jesse Jackson's and Mario Cuomo's. THis shows both that he was trusted and that he did an awesome job supporting Obama.

I suspect that there is some real truth to Obama needing to keep both Bill and Hillary Clinton on leashes - which this cabinet position will do. Bill Clinton had to accept some tough conditions - even having the Obama administration approve where he gives his foreign speeches. I hope this works by making the what helps the Clintons identical to what helps the President - which was likely the only way to insure they wouldn't work at cross purposes to him.
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tritsofme Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 07:27 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. Well I certainly didn't stand for the lies being told about Kyl-Lieberman
Such as the repeated lie that a meaningless sense of the Senate resolution had the legal effect of a declaration of war or somehow conferred new war-making powers upon President Bush to go into Iran.

It had the legal effect of the Senate congratulating Phillies on winning the World Series. It interrupted some folks stories they liked to tell, but it was the truth.
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-08-08 10:11 AM
Response to Reply #13
31. Guess you MISSED the 2008 campaign where Kerry was Obama's top spokesman throughout
and especially after each major point in the campaign.
BTW....you don't much about your nation's recent history, do you? There is ONE MAN who has been the greatest obstacle to the fascist agenda over the last three decades....John Kerry.

Care to think about how soon this nation would have succumbed to the full-on fascist agenda if Kerry hadn't uncovered and exposed IranContra, BCCI and CIA drugrunning?

And, let's not forget how many FAMOUS DEMOCRATS sided with the fascists and protected them almost every step of the way.

THAT is why Kerry is maligned constantly in the press - he represents OPEN GOVERNMENT that is ACCOUNTABLE. The fascists certainly can control perception in those who don't pay much attention to this nation's ACTUAL HISTORIC RECORD.
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Clio the Leo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 07:34 PM
Response to Original message
23. Every time you see or read about Dick Cheney....
... fall down on your knees and thank the good Lord for Joe Biden!!

We are SOOOO lucky to have him.
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 08:59 PM
Response to Reply #23
24. Biden is the Bizarro Cheney!
Edited on Sun Dec-07-08 09:00 PM by jenmito
He may ADVISE Obama, but he doesn't pull Obama's strings since Obama's no empty-suit puppet.
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tblue37 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 09:27 PM
Response to Reply #24
26. What amazes me about Bush and Unca Dick is that Cheney is
really just five years older than Bush, but seems almost like his father!
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 10:13 PM
Response to Reply #26
28. Wow...
I didn't realize that!
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Jennicut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 10:45 PM
Response to Reply #24
30. Biden is like Cheney's doppleganger but the good side, you know?
Kind of weird, neither had any ambition to be the president but both have tons of experience, Unfortunately, Cheney used his experience to manipulate others to do his bidding and was essentially a co president while I hope and think Biden will use his to advise Obama. He will make the VP role respectable again. I find Cheney kind of fascinating but in a scary way, he really was the worst offender of the Bush administration.
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TayTay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 09:01 PM
Response to Original message
25. Joe Biden would have been a great choice for SoS
as well as VP. He is a very talented and knowledgeable man. I think he will be an outstanding public servant in his next role as Vice President of the US.
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Liberal_Stalwart71 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 09:34 PM
Response to Original message
27. I think Biden would have been the best SoS, followed by John Kerry.
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jenmito Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-07-08 10:24 PM
Response to Reply #27
29. But he didn't want the position. Maybe Richardson should've been asked.
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