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John Kerry will be nominated for secretary of state

poweRob said:
Nice edit... but I saw it.

So, is that what black people like Obama do when the going get's tough, they turn to white people like Kerry and Hagel?

That's what you said right? Maybe my sarcasm meter is broken though. Thought I'd give you a chance to clarify.
Click to expand...

No comment Ray410? You know no comment is kind of an explanation inandof itself right?
 
I think Kerry's strengths and qualities as a Secretary of State an interesting mix because so much depends on how you perceive their value. It goes without saying that he is intelligent, worldly, urbane, etc, so I won't go there. But what has really been harped on is his emphasis and skill for building personal relationships with heads of state (and/or government) drawing upon the natural qualities mentioned before as well as his status as one of the most senior politicians in the US and a former Presidential candidate which allows him to go 'toe to toe' with the prestige and station of many foreign political figures and leaders. This was a highly and favorably cited point when noting the Senators trips to Kabul and the frequent private meetings he had with Karzai and the apparent positive relationship he built.

However in the eyes of many analysts this is also a severe negative. Because in their opinion it has created a narrative for Kerry wherein the plan and strategy is to always form these relationships with the 'big guy' over there under the assumption that you can then guide them to more amenable positions or relationships. Their argument is that this presents a warped view of the situation quite often which delays effective US action, and has allowed the senator to appear either hoodwinked or immorally supportive of regimes that deserve malignment. The biggest and most recent example cited was the senators close relationship with Bashir al-Assad whom he vouched for as a serious reformer and attempted to reach a settlement under the assumption that Assad was willing to play ball until late last year, which proved very embarrassing for him in policy circles.

I think the senator is perfectly qualified to lead the State Department, but a discussion about his qualities both positive and negative is always worth while.
 
What to ketchup and the leader of Syria have in common?

They both have a close relationship with John Kerry.
 
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