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Report: John Kerry to be nominated for Secretary of State

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    Aaron David Miller weighs in

  • Duration 6:21
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-- -- to do my best to shift gears for a moment to President Obama also.

Getting set to name members of his national security team during his second term in reportedly at the top of that shortlist for secretary of state.

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

Fox News learning that the president is expected to nominate him any day now replacing outgoing secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Let's bring in Aaron David Miller.

My advisor to six secretaries of state and -- vice president of the Woodrow Wilson Center.

It's really privileged to have you here thanks for joining us pleasure -- That's an incredible -- list of experience.

And as you look at the choice of John Kerry.

If he is in fact selected what would he bring to our nation's.

Safety and security and our relationships with other nations.

I mean look good to -- employment is safe it's centrists.

He's he'll be loyal to the president and he's confirmable.

Beyond that I think the central question is.

How much influence.

Will he really half.

Barack Obama is the most withholding foreign policy president since Richard Nixon all power flows in and out of the White House.

I'm most of the consequential issues regarding war and peace.

-- -- with regard to the nation so.

I think the question is if Barack Obama decides to delegate.

Rather than dominate which she did not do -- -- is actually quite talented.

The current secretary of state.

Then I think the appointment of John Kerry will be consequential will actually matter.

If he doesn't then John Kerry will it will essentially implement.

The president's foreign policy that's what the secretary secretary of state is charged to do but.

Usually when we've had truly consequential secretaries of state Henry Kissinger.

George Shultz James Baker.

The secretary had a lot of leeway to actually create and help shape the policy.

Rather then executed I think that's what we don't know right now will -- be allowed to do that.

All or will he essentially the be be an -- secure with the president -- What -- the foundation did secretary of state Hillary Clinton wait for the next secretary.

You know she was it's it's it's really fascinating she was a -- secretary of state who came to the office.

Well -- more star power and quality than any of our previous secretaries with the possible exception of Colin Powell.

I mean she had eight years in the White House she was almost the president so at least she was almost the democratic candidate for president.

I -- a tremendous appeal.

I'm I think by and large she understood that Barack Obama is a withholding president -- she identified.

Some issues they weren't.

What I would call.

First first tier issues but -- identified issues the environment gender issues.

Improved mean which I think was a very important.

Rule for her to play.

Improving.

America's image and credibility abroad through -- relentless.

Travel and and the fact that she's she was very good at what she she does carries a lot stiffer and -- more awkward publicly.

He may lose a little of that but.

Diplomacy Jamie is -- get along business let's be clear.

That's its strength that day and -- is and its weakness at the same time.

And -- is gonna have to learn I think -- also how to be much more relaxed.

And and much more accessible.

Aaron Aaron as you mention it to get along.

Business on the biggest scale we've seen in I don't know how long you could tell me there are so many country's in turmoil right now there's so much hate for America.

How challenging a job this is for John Kerry or whoever -- selected as the next secretary of state and you see them actually.

Sitting down and negotiating with countries like -- -- Where we haven't seen that happens.

You know other than being president being secretary of state is the best job.

I think OK in terms of serving a republic but -- this at this moment in our history.

It's got to be one of the most challenging -- -- we're facing in the Middle East which in the area I know best.

We're facing issues that essentially are divided either between migraine headaches on one on one hand.

Or root canal operations on the other Iran the Arab Israeli conflict the Arab Spring that looks to me these days more like.

An Arab winter in getting colder all the time.

These are our issues that impinge on America's national security but I'm I'm I'm afraid that our our interests.

And -- Aaron.

Are large but -- our capacity are influenced protect those in it interest.

Are small so I think the critical issue that he's going to face is what to do about Iran's nuclear weapons program.

That may dominate -- thirteen.

And down I think the president will go do -- fairly X extreme lengths to avoid.

A military strike against Iran so.

At least for 2013 that's gonna put John Kerry in the position of testing.

In a more serious way whether the mullahs in Tehran our interest -- at all.

In some sort of of negotiation.

Managing relations with Russia and China.

What will be certainly -- at at the top of the list.

And of course the most important issue of all how to keep America safe which is the organizing principle of any nation's foreign policy he can't protect your homeland.

Frankly you don't need a foreign policy that's gonna be at the top of the list so the intersection between politics national security.

This is gonna be eight incredibly challenging job at a critical moment.

Both in the nation's foreign policy.

And and its national security.

Aaron David Miller -- advised six secretaries of states -- were asking you as we see who is selected both for this position and the national security team.

Come back and way and let us know how they're doing on that great to -- you today loves to Jindal today here all the bass.

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