Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt said today he favors women serving in military combat rules.

In a response to a reporter's question about the new Defense Department rule, Blunt said, "I actually think it's going to work out just fine."

In a ranging telephone conference call, Blunt also said he:

* Backs Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry for secretary of state and thinks he'll be easily confirmed.

* Opposes former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel for defense secretary, but did not elaborate on why he does. Blunt's scheduled sit-down with Hagel was postponed, but will happen in the next few days, Blunt said.

* Is pleased that the new debt-limit agreement will force the Senate to produce a budget, something it hasn't done in about four years. That, in turn, will help the nation make long-time financial plans.

* Is disappointed that President Barack Obama has decided to convert his huge campaign organization into a nonprofit that will continue to build support for his policies. That's happening even though Obama has been elected to a second term and can't run for the office again.

Blunt said Obama appeared to be giving up on trying to remove some of the politics from the nation's capital.

"If the president can't change Washington, who's supposed to change Washington?" Blunt asked.

He said the perpetual campaign has led to Washington careening from one crisis to another. "I'm tried of crisis-driven government," Blunt said.

* Opposes fellow Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill's earmark ban.