President Barack Obama (L) and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., enter the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Dec. 21. Kerry is on Capitol Hill today for his confirmation hearing. Obama has tapped him to become America's top diplomat. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., appears — shy of any stumbles during today’s confirmation hearing — mere days away from finally becoming America’s top diplomat. This morning, Kerry will testify before the panel he technically still chairs, the Foreign Relations Committee, for his confirmation hearing.

The panel’s ranking Republican, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, told reporters Tuesday he expects Kerry will have to field some tough questions. But Corker predicted the overall tone of the back-and-forth “will be good.” After live-blogging over five hours of hearings yesterday on the Benghazi attack, your Intercepts correspondent figured a few more hours of instant-journalism was in order today. Kerry is expected to be asked about President Obama’s second term foreign policy agenda, plans for dealing with Iran and its nuclear-arms ambitions, rogue states like North Korea, and how Kerry views America’s necessary role in global affairs.

1:47 p.m. — Sens. Corker and Menendez wrap up the hearing by again praising Kerry’s qualifications for the secretary of state post. Menendez bangs the gavel Kerry soon will relinquish, ending what was a long but not contentious confirmation hearing. Note: Kerry says he plans to sit down next week with President Obama to discuss a myriad foreign policy issues. He could be confirmed by then. Thanks for stopping by. We’ll be here next Thursday (Jan. 31) with another live blog when former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., Obama’s controversial defense secretary nominee, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing.  – John T. Bennett

1:36 p.m. — Asked just how the U.S. should shape a military build-up in the Asia-Pacific region, Kerry says he “is not convinced an increased military ramp up is necessary yet.” He then dives into the numbers: “We have more bases out there than any other nation, including China. We have a lot more forces than any other nation, including China.” Kerry also struck a cautionary tone, saying if the U.S. puts too many bases or troops in Beijing’s backyard, “China will wonder whether the U.S. is trying to circle us.” What’s more, the nominee says “pivot” is not accurate for administration’s foreign policy focus shift toward Asia is not quite accurate because “we are not turning away” from any other region. — John T. Bennett

1:27 p.m. — America must “build” its relations with Pakistan, not diminish them, as Paul suggested Washington should do.  – John T. Bennett

1:23 p.m. – Paul brought up Egyptian President Morsi’s harsh comments about Israelis and asks Kerry if “it’s wise to send them F-16s and Abrams tanks?” Kerry did not directly weigh in on arms sales to leaders who insult U.S. allies. But he did label Morsi’s comments “reprehensible” before telling Paul that not everything in foreign policy “is black-and-white” and noting Washington “[has] vital interests” with Egypt. Under Morsi, Egypt has lived by its landmark peace treaty with Israel, Kerry said. He told Paul his experience shows just because a democratic election puts in office someone the U.S. doesn’t like doesn’t mean the U.S. can afford to just walk away from that nation. — John T. Bennett

1:20 p.m. – GOP Sen. Rand Paul, the tea party Kentuckian, asks about whether Kerry agrees with candidate Obama or President Obama on the president’s ability to use military force. Kerry says there are times when presidents have to “do what needs to be done.” But he also said he’s a believer in Congress’s sole authority to declare war. Paul said one — perhaps the only — thing he liked about 2008 presidential candidate Obama was his declaration that a U.S. president cannot unilaterally take America to war. — John T. Bennett More