In its 65-year history, the Defense Department has been led by people of various political stripes. But never has the nomination of any Secretary of Defense been a direct insult to the men and women who served our nation in uniform. That will no longer be true if, as is rumored, President Obama nominates Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to succeed Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.

White House trial balloons indicate that Kerry is under consideration for two big jobs: secretary of state and secretary of defense. U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is apparently also in consideration for the state position.