Al Giordano:

By default, Kerry is the front runner and I opine that by every yardstick he ought to be: From the teamwork perspective, a Secretary of State Kerry in tandem with a Vice President Biden have a long-built synergy that would allow them to boldly remake America’s role around the world. Both of them, although they’re not widely seen as such, are visionaries on foreign policy. If I had to bet which of the three - Kerry, Richardson or Lugar - has the biggest list of new ideas for what he would take to the position, I’d put all my chips down on Kerry and the probability that he’s already put it in memo form. If Biden agrees with those ideas - and chances are good that he does - we may see Kerry quickly named to the position as one of the first major appointments of the administration.

Press hackery and speculation aside: It won’t be because Kerry went out on a limb and endorsed Obama before everybody else got on the bandwagon (but that doesn’t hurt, not at all; and probably even more compelling for Obama is that Kerry is the guy who gave him the 2004 keynote speech slot that rocketed him into contention), but because Kerry would be the most qualified and enthusiastic workaholic for the position; one that knows in minute detail where the damage has been done - and where the bodies are buried - over so many years by disastrous US policy across the world and who has a plan to fix it.

If Obama and Biden are seeking a pro-active and self-motivated Secretary of State in harmony with their own visions, one that will command immediate respect, almost no second-guessing, and have a unifying effect on the rest of the foreign policy wonk world seeking to join the administration, Kerry is looking better and better for the position every day.