On Dec. 21, President Barack Obama officially nominated John Kerry for the secretary of state position. If the Senate accepts the nomination, Kerry is to take over the job from Hillary Clinton, who has served as secretary of state since 2009.
“In a sense, John’s entire life has prepared him for this role,” Obama said in a statement. “As a son of a foreign service officer, he has a deep respect for the men and woman of the state department; the role they play in advancing our interests and values, the risks that they undertake and the sacrifices that they
make along with their families.”
Kerry was not the president’s first choice for the position, reported the BBC. Obama originally wanted Susan Rice, the U.N. ambassador, to fill the roll.
Rice, a Democrat, declined the offer.
“[I declined the nomination because] I did not want to see a confirmation process that was very prolonged, very politicized, very distracting and very disruptive,” she said in a statement.
The decline also had to do with the Republican disapproval Rice received after her first statements on the attacks that happened in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012, reported the Associated Press.
Kerry has a great reputation with the Senate. It is expected they will accept his nomination fairly quickly. He is also currently the chairman of the foreign relations committee and has ties to many world leaders.
“On a personal level, John has been a great friend,” Obama said in a statement. “I’ve appreciated John’s partnership in helping to advance so many of my foreign policy priorities.”
Kerry is also a decorated Vietnam veteran. He has received three purple hearts, as well as being awarded the bronze and silver stars.
He also worked with Obama during the 2012 presidential election on his debate team. Kerry played Mitt Romney during mock debates.
“But of course nothing brings two people closer together than weeks of debate prep,” Obama said, “John, I’m looking forward to working with you instead of debating with you.”
