Kerry expected to get top foreign affairs panel post

We're doomed. Obama is his usual noncommittal self towards missile defense, will release terrorists from Guantanamo, and now this.

It's open season on America, folks.

Change you can believe in.

Thank God...take him away.

Now if we can just get Kennedy to go away.

This is the "change" I voted for?

If only you actually knew what you were talking about NoNoNobama

FYI- he's not going anywhere Steve, it's just one of the highest positions in the Senate.

Hey Steve - FYI, he's still a senator when he leads this committee. You do realize that, right?!

i'm a vet and i feel john kerry is a bogus fraud who has no business representing anybody...He is a joke was bankrupt married for money for political gain never worked in his life mental abuse with his exgirlfriend from boston...also lied with the injury he had in his short tour of duty in viet nam..need i say more ..check it out....off course he will get another FREE RIDE...

Yes we are off to a good start in the new admin. of Obaima for the dems..concerned local..

Steve -- you do know that he will still be our Senator don't you?

This must mean that Hilary is Secretary of State.

What about Kerry's head is it going to get any bigger!!

Kerry has a big head

You guys are whiners!

Gee whiz, and I thought we were finally going to get rid of him.......

Steve he isn't going anywhere it is a Senate commitee he is still going to be a Massachusetts Senator. Next time actually read the article.

Like I kept telling people before the election. "Food poisoning is change"
Be carefull what you vote you just may get it, and boy OH boy are we gonna get it.
2010 can't get her fast enough.

Once again the right-wingers show their amazing prowess for reading comprehension

Jovan - just because you are a vet doesn't make you right - and apparently it looks like you are wrong.
It's funny to hear those who say good ridance to Kerry - i guess they just read the headline and didn't read the article. Kerry is staying in the senate.

i think Obama wanted him to stay because he was in line for a leadership role anyway, Hillary or Richardson on the other hand weren't. I am highly encouraged so far by Obama's skills and intelligence so far. This is CHANGE we can believe in.

I'm also a veteran and Sen Kerry has always been for John Kerry first and foremost. How many bogus Purple Hearts did he put himself in for ? One of the kids in my little town got one Purple Heart recently, posthumously. John Kerry is a disgrace to the uniform.

Kerry's foreign affairs expertise is highly regarded and his skill set is well-suited for high-level diplomacy. He'll be an asset to the country in this capacity.

Maybe a slight majority of the country preferred to have a beer with George Bush on '04, but Kerry is a guy I would want meeting with foreign leaders during these times.

His qualifications for this chairmanship are? keeping a seat warm in the Senate for four terms and ?????.

He wouldn't be going anywhere. Just as Biden held the position before him.

What is wrong with you people? You fear Obama as if he's the one that's gotten us into this mess.
So you'd rather continue down the path that we've been going where we do nothing but piss off every other country out there which in turn causes more terrorist to want to attack us. And in turn leaves us with no support against it.

You can't continue to be a bully and then expect help when you need it. Change is coming. Don't complain when it's here and you like it.

A consilation prize indeed! Oh how he longs to be JFK! But he's just another wash-up in a blue suit , fluttering around the Senate like the ghost of a sparrow or perhaps a moth. He's already 64 and his spirit has been removed from his chest and his corpse thrown down those marble steps. His ambition is his plague. He can't let go at this point becaue the meals are too good (recognition) and so is the fancy wall paper inside his brownstone. But this is as far as he'll ever climb and his tearful acceptance of this position will sadden us all.

Hey John, why the long face, it's a good position!! Hillary gets the cake and you get to lick the plate after her.

Teaching the stupid - Well, no one who is NOT stupid would let you teach them. The fact is that Senator Kerry was re-elected with 66% of the vote, a land slide. In addition, he has worked his entire adult life, as a sailor, Prosecutor, lawyer, Lt Governor and Senator. While his wife is wealthy, she is also brilliant, beautiful and has worked through the foundation she heads on many of the same issues that Senator Kerry has spent a lifetime working on too. As to his service record, the Navy gave him those awards and they said they were properly awarded. As a vet, the RW lies should bother you as they make all medals questionable.

There are a lot of Ignorants like Steve here who do not understand what to be the Chairman of a committee....his response..."Take him away" is a typical stupid republican rant...well Steve, he ain't leaving, he is leading the Senate for your information.

According to the article, Mr. Kerry should have a say regarding treaties. Well, for centuries the Swinomish Indian Tribe has relied on the natural resources of the Skagit Valley, through clamming, crabbing, and fishing. Before white settlement tribal people inhabited the valleys, rivers, and shorelines, living off the rich land. But in 1855 most of this land was taken away by the Federal government in the Treaty of Point Elliott. The treaty took land and ceded to the Swinomish people basic health care, some fishing rights and a small reservation in perpetuity. About ten or twelve years later, President Grant unilaterally removed, without congressional approval, what was considered to be the best and most productive land from the reservation land. In the late 1950s, two oil refineries were built on March Point, the land that Grant took. Over time, the presence of the refineries has negatively affected the health of the water and air , the land and people and animals, the very fabric of cultural tradition itself.
Mr. Grant’s actions were wrong, illegal, and unconstitutional.
Senator Kerry, do the right thing.
willaloy

I have to laugh at all the fearmongers.....like John McCain would have been a good choice. Are you kidding me? I'm a veteran too. I don't love John Kerry but I'm happy to see him where he is and prefer him anyday over chickenhawks like bush and Cheney.

I highly doubt TheTruth6119 is an ex-Ranger - you actually have to be smart and articulate to serve in that elite unit. It also sounds like he's making threats against the President of the United States and members of Congress. I'm sure the Secret Service would be interested in learning more about your intentions and would have little difficulty tracking you down.

wow, what a bunch of scum bags repubs can be, you just screwed up the entire country and now throw vile language around because you wore the uniform. Just like Bush Im sure. Hows your 401K bro?

To TheTruth6119: I have my issues with Kerry and wouldn't make him my first choice on Foreign Policy, but he's still a Seanator and deserves respect. Your comments are a disgrace to all U.S. veterans, including myself. You and those like you are the biggest threat to the country you claim to safeguard. The Secret Service and other law enforcement officials should take note of your threats.

There would be no President Obama had Kerry not picked young Sen. Obama to give the keynote address at Boston in 2004. I would have expected a bigger thank you than this. Once Obama got elected and Biden began VP, Kerry became the next in line. How about national security advisor? Or Ambassador to the UN? or Head of the World Bank? Kerry was for a few brief seconds before the Ohio returns came in President of the US.

In case all you republicans have forgotten.....in 2000 Bushie ran as a CHANGE candidate. He was gonna CHANGE the old tired beltway politics with his texas big guns.

Well he sure did, he embraced interventionism/unilateralism, impeded on American civil liberties, and trampled "the piece of paper" that is our constitution.

That's change. And I'll be glad to see Obama CHANGE it back, and put America on the right track again. I honestly don't care if Obama didn't do a thing to fix the economy as long as he fixes the injustices that Bush has forced us to suffer in the name of "FREEDOM".

Consolation Prize = Booby Prize for Massachusetts, we continue to be stuck with the windbag of donothingness

"Teaching the stupid"-
Find your self a rich woman to marry too. Like mccain!

And this is Change? Employing the same old hacks? Shame on the Massachusetts electorate for not stepping up to the plate and replacing this "also Ran". More "Change" Hillary for Sec of State? Baloney!

To bad he'll stay in the Senate.

Please explain what is the "change" that is coming? What should we expect and why might we complain when it is here? You have lost me!!

Is it like rainbows blossoming all over, no wars, all of us have our retirement money back, free healthcare, repair-free American autos, low gasoline & heating costs, no more government corruption, etc??

Hope springs eternal. Hooray for the new president and the new cabinet! Let's see how much good work this new team might be able to do before instantly condemning everything! I believe that pragmatic and practical change will occur and we all need to pull together to enable positive outcomes.

That's a good point, Elinor - it will always be about payback for Obama. Why did he leave Lurch out in the cold?

Consolation prize - for Kerry, maybe. The American people are the losers.

The country is being flushed down the toilet on a daily basis. We should be worried or concerned what John Kerry receives for a political payment? Ask yourself, "Has JK ever worried what you have received in a time of need?"

Looks like Palin, Hannity, Limbaugh et al have done a bang up job summoning hatred and vitriol from the Right. It's amazing the junk that comes out of some people's mouths (not to mention the grammer). It's truly pathetic that all these self-proclaimed "patriots" are the ones spewing the most devisive language possible at a time when America needs to heal the massive wounds left by eight years of Bush; unquestionably one of the worst Presidents in history.

Had Democrats been in charge for the last eight years, the frustration would be justified. Since that's not the case and because those on the Right still need to vent their anger, here's an idea...look in the mirror.

Having read the article thouroughly and the comments as thoroughtly as well, I wholeheartedly agree with commentss, #1, 7, 10,11, 15, 18, 19, & 21, so I won't repeat those comments. What I wish to add is; #9 I hope you are wrong; #21, Kerry didn't keep the seat warm, it was cold as ice while he traveled around the country and world campaigning to be President to gain more power. He doesn't care about this counrty, he is a traitor
Same goes for Obama has been absent from his seat in the legislature while he spent 2 years campaiging for a presidential seat. Of course the same goes for all the candidates for anyu seat in Government.that needs to be changed. Campaigning needs to be restricted to 6 months before the ellection. The amount of money raisedand spent inthis campaign was outrageous, it could have fed how many starvig people in this counrty.
And if they had been attending to buisiness, maybe we wouldnot have been in the financial problems that we have now.
FranFran

When will the Republicans wake up and smell the coffee?

Everyone here talks about Kerry, like he's the worst person in the world.

Why don't we talk about all the Republicans?

Give me a break, atleast Kerry, has a decent international presence, something of which NO repulican has, other than Chuck Hagel.

Bill Richardson, is the man we need, I hope Barack doesn't cave in to the Clinton's.

I'm still hoping he gets Secretary of State...

This is a solid pick. He is a long serving senator and longtime member of this committee. He is a man of stature and knows world relations. He is a war hero with three purple hearts, Former Democratic Nominee, Yale Grad, Prosecuter, has many legislative accomplishments. He is as fit as anyone to lead that committee. By the way Obama doesnt pick chairs of committee The majority leader does. Also they usually go to the most accomplished and senior members.

And this is Change? Employing the same old hacks? Shame on the Massachusetts electorate for not stepping up to the plate and replacing this "also Ran". More "Change" Hillary for Sec of State? Baloney!

The Republicans screwed up this country so bad, the best thing that can happen to this retched party of for the GOP to die a slow death.

I for one would like to see that anyone that thinks that he or she has what it takes to be President be obligated to resign their current elected position. If you don't have what it takes, stay out of it. The Senate is Rife with "also rans". Liberman, Kerry, Clinton, Kennedy (oh you forgot he ran for President? The rest of the country didn't forget chappaquidick) Now McCain is gearing up for re-election...another also ran. How can there be change with the same old same old and Obama is running aroung kissing rings?

"Change" is HOW Obama will govern and his policies and ideology, not who works for him. He set the agenda, he's the boss remember. Who should he pick for these positions? Huckabee, Romney, Palin or Lieberman? Name some democrats who in some way werent connected to Clintons administration just 8 years ago who are top candidates? Besides, just because they werent connected isnt a reason to look over them.

You cant be serious. I can teel these posts are from conservatives, becuase the argument is shallow and makes no sense.

Remember the famous quote of P T Bama... There"s a sucker ( I mean voter ) born every day.

Has anyone else noticed that since the election....there are more and more republican hacks blogging on liberal websites? They get on here and at other sites and act like Obama supporters and post things like:
"This is the "change" I voted for?"
Posted by Edgar November 19, 08 11:42 AM

Youre not fooling anyone losers. Go crawl under a rock somewhere and die!!!

It amazes me to read all these negitive jabs from all these liars who claim they voted for Obama. "Change" is getting rid a Bush/Cheney and everyone affiliated with them, period. So next time one of you lying a$$holes want to complain about something, complain about all the bulls(hit) your man left our man with. then GET A LIFE!!!

Hey Hussein..you will be praying for the good old days of Bush/Cheney when this clown gets done with this country! and change comes from within..not the same old crap!

DON'T BLAME ME, i saw it coming. i voted for McCain ( i didn't like him but i thought he was better than Obama, now i know so) bend over here it comes, this is going to bwe one hell of a ride .

Lovey, Oh Lovey, I seem to be getting a promotion from that nice young gentleman from Chicago. It seems he desires me to head something called the Foreign Relations Committee. Lovey, do we have any foreign relatives???

More change you can Xerox

Awww John Kerry, why the long face?

Hey Rudderman.. the democrats HAVE been in charge for the last two years!

"Head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee" selection was a senate (legislative branch) thing. They're just sorting out who gets what after changes caused by the election. Kerry could still be tapped by Obama for an executive branch post.

Except for his vote to allow W. to go wild, I think Kerry does okay except for a certain ineptitude interacting with people.

All those libby-O'libs talking about people spewing Hate.

Well, what have they been doing for the past 8 years..........................................

Spewing "HATE and WHINING'" like there was No tomorrow.

Please, please screen out the right-wing whiners! The only word they know is "agenda" and they still blame Bill Clinton for everything that is wrong with this country.

MA is fortunate to have John Kerry as one of its Senators. His standing against the Viet Nam War took more courage than any of you whiners on here would ever think of having. He is a true hero, a true intellectual and he has the experience and common sense to be a great leader in foreign affairs. He is perfect to replace Biden. He would have been great at State as well. He will help to end this criminal war and bring peace to the middle east. The Republican Party is finished. So you haters out there just need to accept that, and hopefully, get on board to change this country.

John Kerry is a joke but we've become accustomed to Bobos gaining power in our country. Look at who you fools voted into the presidency. The world is crumbling around his feet and he's at the Gym or emailing on his black berry. Where is your Messiah these days? Bunkering down, reaching out to any former Clintonite that will show him and his "adminstration" how to running a country. So much for CHANGE. The man is 48 years old with ZERO experience running anything but the streets. At least you lefties have his inauguratio speech to look forward to. We know how you all love to goo over his vibe.

This is change?

John Kerry is a self serving liar.
A senate leader by definition.

Well, at least we can be happy he won't be doing a destructive job as the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense. Could you imagine this guy following Condoleeza Rice? The rest of the world's leaders would be laughing themselves silly as they played him like a fiddle.

I'm a Veteran and a Democrat
My Dad's a Veteran and a Republican
Neither of us want to date Sen. Kerry, but we both agree he has done more for veterans than anyone else in the Senate.
As a reminder- love of and service to one's country is a non-partisan thing.
No political party or philosophy has a monopoly on patriotism.
Get it straight- VP Cheney "had more important things to do" than serve in Vietnam. And Pres. Bush still has huge gaps missing from his Texas Air Guard records. At least Kerry had the guts to serve in combat! YAY KERRY!

Choice of Senator Kerry will enhance the true image of US abroad, that was damaged and distorted under president Bush. The outgoing administration discarded the UN and used double standard in dealing with countries seen friendly on one hand and perceived enemy on the other. While helping Kosova to gain independence instigated Sri Lankan president, 'the worst offender of human rights in South-east Asia' to re-start war against the minority Tamils and re-Chisten the 52-year old ethnic problem as 'terrorist' problem.

The easiest way for the ungrateful nutbags who are bashing John Kerry to "finally get rid of him"......MOVE! He was just re-elected with 66% of the vote. And yes, it IS frustrating to read these ignorant lunatics garbage when they can't even grasp the basic fact that chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee IS A SENATE POSITION, NOT AN OBAMA APPOINTMENT! take away their right to write!

Kerry was bad mouthing his own GI brothers while they were still being beat and tortured at the Hanoi Hilton...all for his own political future..which as a senator has amounted to ABSOLUTLELY NOTHING...Name one bill in congress that he can attach his name to...NOT ONE!!..Just a blow-hard socialist senator for the peoples Republic of Massachusetts...WAKE UP YOU PATHETIC LIBERALS!!! OBAMA is going to take this country right into european socialism with the help of smucks like KERRY.

Wow! You all need to chill. The election is over. Let's see what happens next. Right wingers - be good sports dry up those tears and stop sucking your thumb. Republicans have ruled Congress since the Clinton Administration.
Left wingers - stop wagging your finger saying "told you so..." Democrats let the Republicans walk all over them for over a decade.
Our country is in a mess and we all need to work together to get ourselves out of it.

I couldn't be happier to see Kerry as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee! No matter what some of you think, with foreign policy advisors like Joe Biden, Sen. Kerry and Hillary Clinton as Sec. of State, Obama has chosen a great team! They are all knowledgeable, experienced, known and respected in countries around the world. As lefty said "I prefer them any day over chickenhawks like Bush and Cheney". I can't wait!

#61:"Screen out"people with whom you disagree? Is this the level of "hope and change" you wanted? Go to change.com and check out the questionnaire for Obama Administration jobs. One of the 64 questions is "have you ever posted to a blog under anything but your legal, given name, or a 'handle'?" So, basically, half of the US (and everyone on this blog) is ineligible for service. If Bush had done this, there would be torchlight parades in support of privacy. Obama is starting to sound a lot like Dick Cheney.

Welcome to the 1930s! In Europe they call Bush a "retarded cowboy" He has helped recruit more terrorists than Bin Laden. The economy is in the toilet on his watch. A 5 to 10 year recession is not out of the question. Go to your bank and ask them for a car loan or mortgage. Walk the shopping mall and count the empty stores. 500 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan (90% of the world's opium) 6.5% unemployment expected ro rise to over 8% next year. Detroit is turning out the lights. Your food blll is increasing.. Do you wonder why Obama was elected? Pain brings wisdom. .

there is something seriously wrong and worrying about right wing hacks such as the ones writing responses here. If you gave a rats ass about your country, what it stands for or even what makes it what it is, you would despise what the republicans have done to it. both in terms of the reputation they have ruined around the world to dismantling the rights that actually makes it what it is. And then this absolute nonsense about socialism when the fact is that as a country america has swung so far to the right and become so horribly far from fair or equal in any sense, the minimum wage is horrible, largest gaps between rich and poor than the great depression. its just such crap

A sad ending for a good man and a great leader. A post that Biden was happy to abandoned and Dodd didn't want.

Keep pounding sand, you pathetic, jealous whiners. Sen. Kerry stands up and puts forth an effort, instead of sitting around and complaining.

What does it matter look at the vermin at the door to take his place , useless martha coakley to busy planning her political career to do her job and she cut millions out of her buget at a drop of a hat ,just show how much waste there is. Marty term limits meehan another useless scumbag , steven I got my law degree while I was defrauding workersmans comp lynch ,who also spent millions to see if he could do away with the west roxbury Veterans hospital but the survey was inconclusive so they spent million more to do it a second time only to figure it was a dumb idea because where at war and there are at least 30,000 badly injured vets not counting the dead from bush revenge war. Need I go on o.k. I will obama said there will be no lobbyist in my white house ,tom daheill hmmmm ,rahm emanuel hmmm ,whata liar but he'll get a buy beacuse of the bias media and his dumb worshippers and he'll give your hard earned money to the vermin at the big three with their million dollar jets ,can you spell doomed OBAMA

everyone who voted for Kerry and Obama is going to get exactly what you voted for. GOOD LUCK.