By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
John Kerry will play Mitt Romney in debate preparations for the president.
And it's just perfect: one elite, rich, emotionless Massachusetts politician filling in for another.
The Boston Globe first reported that Senator Kerry has been tapped to mimic the presumptive GOP nominee in debate practice.
That means Kerry will do everything from anticipating Romney's answers and his attacks to copying his speaking style and his posture.
Of course Kerry has lots of experience in presidential debates since he faced off against George W. Bush three times in the 2004 campaign. Most people agreed Kerry won those debates even though Bush went on to win the election.
President Obama's senior campaign strategist David Axelrod says Kerry is an expert debater who has mastered a wide range of issues including Romney's Massachusetts.
Kerry has observed Romney's role in Massachusetts politics going back to 1994, so he should be in a good place to point out Romney's weaknesses while governor, especially his economic record.
Axelrod calls Kerry "the obvious choice." Which may be true in more ways than one.
As the Globe notes, critics blast both Kerry and Romney for being aloof and for flip-flopping on major issues.
Plus, they're both rich. Really, really rich. Romney has an estimated net worth of $250 million while Kerry's is at around $193 million.
Meanwhile John Kerry could wind up playing a larger role in a second Obama term if the president manages to win re-election. There's growing speculation that Kerry could take over as Secretary of State if Hillary Clinton leaves as planned.
As for who will play Obama in Romney's debate practice - no word yet.
Here’s my question to you: Is John Kerry a good fill-in for Mitt Romney?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Mack in Michigan:
Let’s see: Never had a real job, check! Living high off money… money that was inherited or married into, check! No connection to the reality of an average American, check! Heck Jack, I think Kerry is just a Republican who wears sweaters.
Bert in Los Angeles:
Kerry is from Massachusetts and supported Governor Romney's universal health insurance law there. His flip-flop on the Iraq War will make it easy for him to act out Romney's flip-flops on nearly every other major issue. Finally, he is rich enough to be as much out-of-touch with Americans as Romney is; he will do fine!
Bob:
In quantum physics, the same particle can exist in two places at the same time. I believe Romney-Kerry proves the theory.
Gordo in New Jersey:
Let me count the ways: pedantic, boring, out-of-touch with the common man. I'd love to watch these practice debates at bed time. Of course, Kerry knows foreign affairs, Romney not so much.
King in Massachusetts:
To play him best, Kerry is going to need add that nervous uncomfortable laugh Mitt makes during the campaign stops when he runs into regular folks, or sees regular food like donuts, home-made cookies, etc.
Russ in Pennsylvania:
I believe they starred in the movie "Twins", with Kerry playing the short dude. In the end, they both made money.
Ken in California:
Good choice, but aren't they overestimating Romney’s abilities? Maybe they could get Dan Quayle instead.