Who would be the best Secretary of State?

I support John Kerry for the position though.

I think Clinton is plenty qualified, but it would be a misuse of her considerable heft on domestic issues, particularly health care.

I really hope she gets a prominent post.

I wanted Richardson to be the first Latino in this post, as well as, he has been nominated for the Nobel Prize three times for his diplomacy. I appreciate the work he has done with North Korea. He does not believe in "preconditions". He is very well qualified for the post.
I did not want Kerry taken out of the Senate because he is hard to replace, and he will take over Biden's Chair. Yet, he would be fantastic as SoS.
Then, Hillary, there are advantages. Besides the fact, she already knows all the foreign leaders, and has her own skills and assets, it would send a message that President Obama is serious about diplomacy, and can work closely with former adversaries. This would send a strong message about President Obama, as well as, our country's democracy. She also would not be in the Senate opposing him.
What I love is that President-Elect Obama wants equals around him, he wants leaders. This shows his level of confidence. I hope all three here mentioned are given key roles.
I have great trust he will pick the "best and the brightest" for the post, with an overall strategy of where to have whom in order to get A LOT DONE.

We really want to do the cousin thing?

is Condi's cousin. but it's not susan.

on edit, the cousin's name is Connie Rice.

I thought she was the other woman named Rice that I had heard on NPR before.

Though he seems to have been thrown under the bus a while back.

then Clinton and then Richardson.

The idea of the SOS going to anything other than a career diplomat is bizarre

Man! Have we got a great lineup to choose from!

Kerry could achieve great things with this position- more so than what he can accomplish as an individual in the senate. I can not fathom why Obama would not choose him if he really believe in choosing the best,loyal and respectful.

and I'll just sit back and wait to see who Obama picks...there are a lot of things to consider in picking Cabinet members, and I don't have all the necessary information to make that selection...Obama does.

Clinton, Kerry and Richardson are all highly qualified and any one would be a terrific choice, BUT I worry about Obama cherry-picking the best and brightest out of the Senate. We need to have strong leaders in the Senate, too! I'd like Clinton and Kerry to keep their seats. Richardson would be an exemplary SoS.