WASHINGTON (December 21, 2012)--President Barack Obama announced Friday he has nominated Sen. John Kerry as his next secretary of state, saying Kerry's entire life "has prepared him for this role."

If confirmed, the Massachusetts Democrat would succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Mr. Obama's second-term Cabinet.

Clinton did not attend the Roosevelt Room announcement because she’s still recovering from a concussion sustained in a fall.

Mr. Obama said Kerry's political career and service has established him as a respected American voice around the globe.

He said Kerry will not need on-the-job training.

Kerry has served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is a decorated Vietnam veteran who was critical of the war effort when he returned home to the U.S.

He has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 1985.

He should win easy approval for the Cabinet post from his longtime Capitol Hill colleagues.

Kerry leaped to the front of Mr. Obama's list for the State Department job after U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration last week.