John Kerry

- He thinks he can have a behind the scenes influence by being in the inner circle when Presidential fp decisions are made.

- He is exceptional as a diplomat and, though Obama has used him, it could be only when the Senate calendar worked or it was important enough to miss votes. Now, he could be involved in many diplomatic missions.

- Kerry just turned 69 and this would last until he is 73 - assuming everything works out. I suspect that there are any number of things he could and would likely do after SOS. One is to write a book on his foreign policy vision. His vision really is not a clone of every other Democrat - as many are, but something he has thought a life time on. In addition, he has one major influence that no one in power shares - his father. Assuming that he leaves a well regarded SOS, he could influence US policy for decades - maybe getting part of the "turn" he spoke of in 1971. (Not to mention, Vanessa Kerry just showed what could be done outside of government, but well connected.http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/09/18/161381770/a-peace-corps-for-doctors-built-by-a-senators-daughter?ft=1&f=1128 Too bad she is not interested in government - maybe we could get a President Kerry. )

I don't think it is the title and the prestige - though like anyone, they are nice. (For someone who knows that in a fair election, he would have been President - maybe less so.) I don't think it is frustration with the Senate - though God knows there is reason for that. I would also assume from this that Teresa is doing well and is ok with him making this committment.