In other news, I see that the intentional leak of Kerry being the SoS nominee is getting lots of attention.

I think this is a bad move, strategically, not just for control of the Senate but even more fundamentally for not bringing up fresh blood into the inner circles of the Administration and American foreign policy.

My suspicion is that the President is relying too much on political closeness and not trying to plow new ground and develop new talent.

This is the same problem the Democrats have had for many years (e.g., in keeping Pelosi as the top Democrat in the House.)