Obama Expected to Choose John Kerry as Sec’y of State

Decision comes after embattled UN ambassador removes her name from consideration

President Barack Obama is leaning toward choosing Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, White House official and friends of the senator told The New York Times. The announcement, expected sometime this week, will likely be delayed because of the focus on the Connecticut school shooting. There is also reportedly some discomfort in Washington with the idea that Obama will have a national security team in which white men hold all tops posts. The U.S ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, last week took her name out of the running for the spot, citing opposition to her nomination from several prominent Republicans in the Senate. Kerry, the 69-year-old former Democratic presidential nominee, has wanted the post for some time and is said to have support for his confirmation on both sides of aisle in the Senate. (NY Times)

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