WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday will nominate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., as his next secretary of state.
Kerry's nomination is Obama's first move in a sweeping overhaul of his national security team as he heads into a second term.
If confirmed, Kerry will take the helm at the State Department from outgoing Secretary Hilary Clinton. Political analysts expect the Massachusetts senator to win easy approval from his Capitol Hill colleagues.
Kerry moved to the front of Obama's list for the State Department job after U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration last week.
The official requested anonymity in order to discuss the announcement ahead of Obama.
