WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry says Secretary of State designee Hillary Rodham Clinton has done a "terrific" job fielding questions from senators.

Kerry told NBC's "Today" show on Wednesday that he expects Clinton's nomination will be approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday. Clinton spent much of Tuesday testifying at a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill.

Kerry is the new chairman of that Senate committee. The Massachusetts Democrat says that Clinton has been very clear about how the incoming administration of Barack Obama will proceed on such major issues as Iran, nuclear proliferation and China.

Kerry himself had been considered a top contender for the post of secretary of state in an Obama administration.

The Associated Press, January 14, 2009