"If Iraq succeeds, the U.N. takes a major hit. If Bush is elected, there's a chance of that happening. If Kerry is, there isn't. "

I think if Kerry is elected what you will mostly get is unpredictablity.
To get anything ["his secret plans"] that Kerry says he wants to do is a joke. Even if Kerry won a landside, he will not have a mandate.
Kerry will be weak. He will make Carter seem strong.
So, what happens when he have a weak president? Power shifts to the Congress. What happens if you don't have a strong leader in Congress- someone who doesn't a have vison but instead is good at the mechanics?
Some in Congress will grap issues and run with it. The UN could very well be one of these issues that can give a Congressperson traction. The UN would not be safe under Kerry. Nor would the State Dept be safe. Nor anywhere in govt.
It will be a very good time for those who want the world to be more exciting. Peace and prosperity? Not a chance.