Posted on 01/29/2013 2:05:27 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Senate confirms Kerry for State in 94-3 vote By Julian Pecquet and Ramsey Cox - 01/29/13 04:32 PM ET
The Senate approved one of its own to become President Obama's second secretary of State in a near-unanimous vote on Tuesday.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) sailed through the chamber in a 94-to-3 vote, with Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Texas Sens. Ted Cruz (R) and John Cornyn (R) casting the only “no” votes.
Kerry's approval to replace Hillary Clinton was a foregone conclusion after Republicans urged Obama to nominate him in lieu of his ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice.
“I don’t know too many people who have oriented their whole life to be better suited for secretary of State,” Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the top Republican on Kerry's Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on the floor ahead of the vote.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who is replacing Kerry atop the committee, echoed those sentiments.
“I can think of no one better to take on the challenges of this position,” he said. “John has already built strong relationships across the world. ... He will need no introduction to the world’s political leaders.”
The Senate vote capped a whirlwind day for Kerry, whose nomination was approved by his committee in a unanimous voice vote a few hours earlier. His colleagues on the committee he's chaired since Joe Biden became vice-president four years ago gave him a standing ovation and a committee resolution honoring his service as chairman.
The resolution “commends the long and distinguished service of John F. Kerry, whose exceptional skill as a lawmaker is matched only by his commitment to an America that is, in President John F. Kennedy’s phrase, not 'first but, first when, first if, but first period'; and extends its best wishes for his continuing service to the Nation.”
Kerry is the first cabinet selection confirmed in Obama's second term, but the rare showing of bipartisan support will not extend to the rest of the president's national security picks, however.
Six Republicans — including the three who voted against Kerry — have vowed to oppose former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for secretary of Defense, and members of both parties have raised questions with the choice of John Brennan for CIA director because of concerns over his record on drone strikes as Obama top counterterrorism adviser.
Kerry could be sworn in as early as Friday, Clinton's last day at State.
Rand Paul voted yes? Damn
Sad. Very sad.
Well,,,, They may just want him the h-— outa the Senate.
As did Flake. Kinda quick to catch Potomac Fever.
Must have been because they know what most people don’t - that John Kerry was in... Vietnam.
A lot of Repubicans voted for him. Which proves again that the major difference between a Republican politician and a Democrat politician is in the spelling.
That is just pitiful. 94 Senators ratified a traitor for SecState?
Another reason I’m not voting for Isakson or Chambliss ever again.
He is a lazy SOB who will pontificate and do nothing..thankfully.
So Kerry the anti-America sot is being replaced by a pervert....good grief.
With the NVA in charge of the State Department it should be entertaining if nothing else.
Bet the first thing Kerry does is turn over State's lists of names of Vietnamese informants to Hanoi so that if they missed anyone they can hunt them down and kill them ~ and their families.
This man has no moral fiber of any kind ~ total sociopath ~ guess he can see eye to eye with Obamugabe.
soooo,
our president and Sec. of State are complete and absolute unAmerican liars and our V.P. is a drunk.
Thank God he is finally out of the Senate!
Ketchup for the world.....
A clean sweep for the Blessed state of Texas!
John Kerry is a national security risk.
John Kerry was in Vietnam?????? Gettouddahere, you’re telling more tall tales.
The Republic is almost lost...
It’ll be interesting to see him at the other side of the mike.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.