There's no official announcement yet, but multiple media sources claim that Sen. John Kerry will get the appointment.

If true, it would be the successful culmination of Senate Republican efforts to push President Barack Obama in that direction. Kerry has overtly wanted the gig for a long time, and it seemed the only thing that stood in his way was Susan Rice. With her successful dispatch over a bogus scandal, Kerry was the natural successor.

This is important because it opens up the Massachusetts Senate race to a special election, and one in which Scott Brown will likely feature as the comeback candidate. Brown significantly outperformed his ticket, losing by eight points while former home-state governor Mitt Romney lost by 23. And let's not forget, the most potent argument Elizabeth Warren had against Brown -- that his reelection could deliver the U.S. Senate to Mitch McConnell, is no longer operative.

Brown may have taken a hit in the state this past election, particularly given his nasty, racist campaign. But he remains surprisingly popular for a Republican in a Indigo Blue state. A special election won't be a sure hold for our party. It'll be nuclear war.

Diary discussion here.