10 Things to Know About Sen. John Kerry

Get to know the Secretary of State nominee.

Moving Up in the Ranks - Kerry was elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1982. Two years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He is currently serving his fifth term. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Foreign Affairs Credentials - The veteran senator has been credited for his contributions to the American response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has also been a leading figure on American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the war on terrorism, the Middle East and Israel. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder  BS)
Feeling Presidential - Kerry ran for president in 2004 but lost in a close race to incumbent President George W. Bush. The Bush campaign memorably criticized Kerry for “flip-flopping” on a series of issues during the campaign. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The “Swiftboating” Attacks - Also during the 2004 election, a slew of attack ads aimed to discredit Kerry’s Navy service onboard a Swift Boat during his second tour in Vietnam. The smear campaign attacks would earn the nickname “swiftboating.” (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)His Next Steps - Already longtime colleagues (then Sen.-Obama gave a rousing keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, the year Kerry accepted the party’s nomination for president), President Obama and Kerry could next work side-by-side to build partnerships and secure American interests abroad if Kerry is confirmed for office.  (Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images)

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Foreign Affairs Credentials - The veteran senator has been credited for his contributions to the American response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has also been a leading figure on American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the war on terrorism, the Middle East and Israel. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder  BS)

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