A dumb move for Obama and Clinton
Two questions about the possibility of Hillary Clinton becoming secretary of State: Why would Barack Obama offer her the job and why would she take it?
Just floating her name showed one of the drawbacks. As always with the Clintons the story quickly became about them. Her supporters fretted whether she was being treated with the proper deference. And would Bill Clinton disclose the donors to his library and accept limits on his overseas activities? He answered that question this week -- "I'll do whatever they want" -- and in doing so put the President-elect in a box. What more could he possibly ask?
Hillary Clinton's career has been -- and this is in no way a criticism -- devoted to advancing her and her husband's political interests. She played the good soldier during the campaign but came to that role late and rather grudgingly.
She would come into the Cabinet with a formidable political machine independent of Obama and the Democratic National Committee. And she comes with a star power that rivals his and perhaps an agenda of her own.
Clinton is already a power in the Senate and can be the senator from New York as long as she wants the job. She is on the verge of lion status in the Senate, perhaps filling the role of the ailing liberal lion Sen. Ted Kennedy. And one day she might become Senate Majority Leader, an extraordinarily powerful and visible post in Washington, certainly more so than secretary of State.
The secretary of State is no longer the sole vicar of U.S. foreign policy and hasn't been for decades. Her job will be complicated by competing power centers on foreign policy, Vice President Biden, whose specialty it is; the National Security Adviser, who, being based in the White House, has the advantage of proximity and daily access; and, increasingly, the pro consuls of the Pentagon in the overseas commands.
Accepting the job of secretary of State would likely mean Hillary Clinton giving up on another presidential bid. The job takes you out of electoral politics and, for long periods, out of the country and out of sight. The last secretary of State to become president was James Buchanan in 1857, not a good omen.
It's hard to see what's in it for either her or Obama.
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Perhaps they both see value
Perhaps they both see value in changing the model. A step that would require a substantial talent in Foggy Bottom and substantial trust in the person filling that chair. She has proven how she will react to an Obama Presidency through her actions in an Obama for President General Election. Not sure why folks can't get over things; clearly the principals have.
Diplomatic skills are always
Diplomatic skills are always called into question in a Presidential race. If Hil can pull this off, she'll have excellent credentials to tell those critics to 'eat my shorts.'
Let the experience begin.
Get over it Dale
Get over it Dale McFeatters...president elect Obama has opted out of consulting you before he made any moves. It seems that in your own mind you have all the right answers, just like the millions of other Monday morning quarterbacks. Geez Louise, get a grip! and deal with it!
NY native Get off
NY native Get off Hillary's case. No matter what she does you will go after her. She is brilliant and I think Obama is using good judgment in selecting her as Secretary of State.
"Shame on you Barack
"Shame on you Barack Obama"
Democrats, even with 'the one', are just as resistant to change as the loser republicans. Both parties fail the same.
It's been clear for a very long time the real intelligence & talent in this country is nowhere near DC... DC is full of assclown upward failing dullards with the combined intellect of a Fern.
Apparently Obama thinks like the rest of the "divided & conquered" 2-party hack worshipers among you; all the best & brightest capable of creating "change" just also happen to be recycled DC insider party jackoffs who can vomit 100 talking points per minute without any confusing original thoughts clouding their party approved & supplied opinions.
Hillary was really brilliant
Hillary was really brilliant on the eve of the Chimp's resolution voting to go to war with Iraq despite Senator Robert Byrd's citing Dougy Feith's cooked lies of WMD in Iraq on Senate floor, courtesey of Ahmed Chalabi, wanted for embezlement in Jordan. Yet even after hearing Senator Byrd, Pillary knowingly voted to commit this country to to war just to advance her political expediency.
I voted for Obama but I'm not getting visions of Bottecelli Angels floating around and the 2nd coming of the D-Crappers having fillibuster proof majorities in the House & Senate.
Remember, Obama voted for Retro-Active Immunity for the Telecoms, so Obama drank Kool-Aid in what one may characterize as a 'strategic retreat' during the run up to the elections.
Of course the D-Crappers are legendary for its 'strategic retreats' in the last eight years of the Chimp, so forgive me for being jaded but Sir Obama of Camelot hasn't done a damn thing yet to deserve visions of Bottecelli Angels floating around no more then the Mecury 7 Astronauts were lionized at a press confrence in the early 60's when not even one of them had flown a mission; the Mercury 7 Astronuats did have the 'Right Stuff' as we all know, but will the D-Crappers & Obama do the same, or will they screw the pooch.
I got the 2 party Self-Hacking Kool-Aid Bluze
It is a bad idea for both of
It is a bad idea for both of them. I hope she doesn't take it so Obama can offer it to Richardson instead.
--Jarrod
How come insiders lobby but
How come insiders lobby but both libertarians, peace dreamers and leftists just like to complain. Only Hispanic leaders are lobbying for Richardson. Why does everyone here like to complain rather than doing anything. A strong-willed Secretary of State won't work. Let's do both of them a favor by resisting this nonsense,
More suggestions enclosed,
http://capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/11925
RichardKanePA