Kerry Confirmation Hearing Will Be Tame

Impact

Unlike Wednesday's testimony by current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we shouldn't expect any tense moments. Kerry has served on the committee since 1985 and is the current chairman. Despite his much-maligned presidential campaign in 2004, where he was subjected to a ludicrous attack on his military service, Kerry is a well-respected figure in Washington, especially in the senate. 

Kerry is also respected among Bay Staters, having won election and reelection five times since 1984, each time by no less than 10 percentage points with the exception of 1996.