Is John Kerry Really a Better Secretary of State than Hillary Clinton?

John Kerry could eclipse his predecessor, Hillary Clinton, in the role of United States Secretary of State. If he does, will it be because of sexism, anti-Clintonism, or world events? Or is Kerry simply more effective?

Kerry has seen a recent series of diplomatic victories.

• The Cuban embassy is open again in America for the first time since 1961, and the American embassy is open again in Cuba.
If Clinton has greatness within her, it’s time to take a page from Kerry and show it
• After months of talks, some while Kerry was on crutches with an injured leg, a deal was worked with Iran to commit to not building a nuclear bomb and to allow inspections to verify they are not.
• Saudi Arabia, which was expected to criticize the Iran deal and bolster opponents, publicly came out in favor of it.
• After saying no for months, Turkey agreed to allow American air strikes on ISIL targets from bases in its country, which could prove pivotal in the fight.

Both Kerry and Clinton had their bad moments.

Kerry’s came a few months into his tenure, in 2013 when he tossed out that the only way for Syria to avoid air strikes by a coalition headed by the United States was to turn over its chemical weapons within the week. Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin announced he would work with Syria on just that, and the attack was averted. And while that should have been a good thing, it was instead viewed as a gaffe on Kerry’s part and backing down on Pres. Obama’s.

Clinton continues to be dogged by questions about the State Department’s handling of the attack on the diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya in 2012, in which four Americans were killed. Although objective investigations concluded Clinton’s office was not at fault, Republican-led Congressional hearings kick up dust and will do so through the 2016 presidential campaign.

It’s hard not to compare Kerry enthusiastically selling the Iran deal, even he if ultimately fails, with Clinton endlessly playing defense. Republicans paint her service as secretary as distinguished only for her work-around email screen, the Benghazi tragedy, and what they claim was favorable treatment of countries that donated to the Clinton Foundation.

Less partisan sources point to her historic visit to Burma, work for women’s rights, and rebuilding of American trust in the world following the disastrous Bush years.

So why does Kerry seem to be so on top of his game while Clinton often seemed to be merely enduring her stint as secretary?

Kerry is male and Clinton female. It would be tempting to wonder if Pres. Obama has a hard time taking advice on foreign affairs from women were it not for his obvious regard for National Security Advisor Susan Rice (his first pick to succeed Clinton) and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. Adding in his long-standing trust in Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, it’s hard to make the case that Obama has a woman problem.

This feeling is not shared throughout the world, however, and anyone who has read former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s autobiography knows that women have a tougher time with foreign dignitaries and heads than men do.

Another difference between Kerry and Clinton raises less flattering questions.

Kerry is not running for president again, after losing* to George W. Bush in 2004. Clinton is.

Kerry has this one last chance to build his legacy. Clinton’s eyes are — and possibly were — on the next one.

I would hope that Clinton never pulled punches to either duck future campaign criticism or to avoid enhancing former rival Obama’s reputation. No one could make that case about Vice Pres. Joe Biden, whose support for his boss has been unwavering despite his 2008 primary loss to him or Biden’s possible ambitions.

I also hate to think that Clinton’s presidency would be as adequate as her service as secretary because of personal qualities. If she can drop the wall that keeps her from connecting in a genuine way with average Americans, and that leads her into trust issues, she’ll have a chance even if Republicans pick someone electable as their nominee.

Clinton is already moving her campaign left on economic issues identified by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, which indicates she’s listening.

If Clinton has greatness within her, it’s time to take a page from Kerry and show it.

* Questions about voting in Ohio indicate dirty tricks that might have thrown that election.

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