Kerry seeking role in spotlight

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Sen. John Kerry searched for his new place in the political landscape as his rival took the oath of office for a second term as president.

Mr. Kerry emerged after a brief hibernation from the rough-and-tumble of politics to fire broadsides at Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and to cast a vote that anchors the leftward lean of his Democratic Party.

The Massachusetts senator's prominent perch at the inauguration Thursday, just to the left of President Bush, underscores the difficulty of returning in the glare of Republican domination of Washington.

"It was very awkward," a Democratic aide said of the seat Mr. Kerry was assigned at the front edge of the inaugural balcony. "They wanted to embarrass him."

Mr. Kerry privately expressed discomfort about the location of his seat. He speculated that Republicans wanted to position him so television cameras could easily capture his reaction to Mr. Bush's speech.

Seats were assigned by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, dominated by Republicans. The panel is chaired by Sen. Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, and co-chaired by Sen. Christopher Dodd, Connecticut Democrat. A committee spokesman did not return a call Friday.

Mr. Kerry arrived at his seat early and, despite scattered boos from Republicans in the crowd, smiled and waved. At one point, Mr. Kerry even joked with Republican parents with children in tow about wanting to "convert all these kids for the future."

On Tuesday, Mr. Kerry made his first high-profile foray into the political fray since losing November's election when he sharply questioned Miss Rice. On Wednesday, he renewed his criticism and cast one of the two Judiciary Committee votes against her nomination.

Mr. Kerry scolded Miss Rice for saying the insurgency in Iraq was some sort of unforeseen consequence after Saddam Hussein's army "melted away in the countryside."

"Well, that wasn't unforeseen," Mr. Kerry said. "It's exactly what they did in '91. And we in fact encouraged them to do it because we leafleted and broadcast and told them that if they disbanded, we would pay them and they would not suffer any consequences for putting down their arms and going home and getting out of uniform."