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Could Huntsman be the next secretary of state?
Now that his re-election is secured, President Barack Obama has a freer hand to deal with a world of familiar problems in fresh ways, from toughening America’s approach to Iran and Syria while potentially engaging other repressive countries such as Cuba and North Korea and refocusing on moribund Middle East peace efforts.
The first tweaks in his Iran policy could come within weeks, officials said.
But a pressing task for Obama will be to assign a new team to carry out his national security agenda. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced her plans to retire but could stay a few weeks past January to help the administration as it reshuffles personnel. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is likely to depart shortly after her.
The favorite to succeed Clinton, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, would face a difficult Senate confirmation process after her much-maligned explanations of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, meaning she could land instead as Obama’s national security adviser. That job that doesn’t require the Senate’s approval. Tom Donilon, who currently holds that position, and Chuck Hagel, a former Republican senator, are among the other contenders.
The chances of another early favorite, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, are hampered by Democrats’ fear that Republican Scott Brown, who lost his Massachusetts Senate seat Tuesday, could win Kerry’s seat in a race to replace him.
Officials, however, are pointing to Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor, Obama’s ambassador to China and Republican presidential candidate, and the State Department’s current No. 2, William Burns.
Anonymous
November 12th, 2012
John “Seabiscuit” Kerry has this one in the feedbag.
Carlos The Jackal
November 12th, 2012
Don’t you dare compare that noble animal with that money-marrying, ketchup-eating tub of glue.
simply enraged
November 12th, 2012
Are the guys at The Daily Caller nuts? Toughen the nation’s foreign policy positions? Richard Simmons has a better chance of being appointed Secretary of State than anyone with an experienced eye for realism and national interests and security! How about that fat toad from CAIR?
BILL
November 12th, 2012
“The favorite to succeed Clinton”
ha ha ha
no one could surpass billary in the role, just look at the fires she and obama have lit in the middle east.
does anyone think a sane person would even want this job at this time in history ?
Chieftain
November 12th, 2012
I think the real question is who will succeed Biden??
There is no way Obama is going to tolerate another four hears of Biden gaffes, and if Huntsman takes SecState I look for Kerry to be named the next Veep.
Look for Biden to step down right after the immaculation.
scr_north
November 12th, 2012
Obama no longer cares about Bidens gaffes. Obama is going to use the full four years (barring impeachment) to finish his agenda of taking America down a few pegs to the point of no return. I suspect it will be Hunstman for the reason stated. After getting a look at what they elected the people of Mass might just exercise some buyers remorse and elect Brown. Obama can’t take the chance that a few more slips on the road would give the Senate to the GOP.
Joe
November 12th, 2012
If Huntsman gets that position, those girls better give ole dad a big hug before he sets out for Benghazi.
Joe
November 12th, 2012
Huntsman = Carter, trying to help the world, when they’d both be better off staying home and growing a garden.
Death_By_Farts
November 12th, 2012
Agree with most, they won’t give it to Kerry because Brown would likely get that seat in the senate. and if Aiken and Murdock would have kept their damn mouths shut we might have taken the Senate.
bitterclinger
November 12th, 2012
Huntsman is a weasel. For having such a stellar father, this apple fell faaaaaaaaaaaaaar from the tree.