CBS/AP/ February 1, 2013, 7:44 PM

John Kerry sworn in as secretary of state

This photograph shows former U.S. Senator John Kerry being sworn in as secretary of State on Feb. 1, 2013 at the Senate Foreign Relations Room in the U.S. Capitol. From left: John Kerry, brother Cam Kerry, wife Teresa Heinz, daughter Vanessa Kerry,and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan.

This photograph shows former U.S. Senator John Kerry being sworn in as secretary of State on Feb. 1, 2013 at the Senate Foreign Relations Room in the U.S. Capitol. From left: John Kerry, brother Cam Kerry, wife Teresa Heinz, daughter Vanessa Kerry,and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. / CBS News

WASHINGTON John Kerry has been sworn in as America's secretary of state, replacing Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The former Massachusetts senator and 2004 presidential candidate was sworn in Friday by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. He is the 68th secretary of state.

Kerry was confirmed for the post on Tuesday by the Senate in a 94-3 vote.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on the same day that Hillary Clinton made her final remarks as secretary of state to employees at the State Department.

© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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zinn21 says:
Great statesman and leader. Very smart. Excellent people skills. I hope he runs for President in 2016...
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TPAULA says:
I have got nothing against Kerry, but I saw an article that said he looked forward to starting his job on Monday, but the job is a 7/24 job, not 9 to 5 M-F.
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jwolfe2010 says:
Lackluster, no excitement here. Wish Hillary had stayed on.
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nubwaxer says:
i only want to counter the troll and obama basher who says "here we go again". right, watch for republicans to come out saying that they've been the party of bipartisanship all along and quickly approved the nominee they wanted even before the president did.
here we go again.
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dhouston121 replies:
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BenJordon,

You are an idiot
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Ulgnud says:
Isn't this the guy who got caught lying about his military service? Here we go again.
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rzarc2 replies:
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No, he's the guy that signed up when he didn't have to, actually fought AND was wounded. It was the great GOP Swift-boat crowd that did the lying. But then again, what else would we expect from the "modern" GOP? And you fools fell for an intellectually bereft POTUS for a second time.

By the way that POTUS, Bush JUNIOR, effectively dodged combat when his Daddy (who I do respect & like) got him into the Texas ANG.
bobnjersey replies:
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[Isn't this the guy who got caught lying about his military service? Here we go again.]
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well ... if he's not that guy ... then he's the guy w/ the death squads who 'snuffs out' his political enemies ... or he could be the guy who doesn't have a valid birth certificate ... or maybe he's really a 'manchurian' secretary who's actually a closet muslim bent on destroying the country ... or he may have a clandestine plan to take away everyone's guns ... or possibly even knew all about 'benghazi' and didn't tell anyone before it actually happened.

just pick one ... so that you can satisfy your pre-existing belief that he's unsuitable for the role.