Senator Clinton the Next Secretary of State??
by I have to admit, Secretary of State was not a position that came to mind when I envisioned Senator Clinton in an Obama administration. I'm not sure why either, because as the Washington Post points out Clinton is well-known and well-respected in the international community.
"Is there any question that she could hold her own in delicate negotiations with our international friends or foes? The one thing that became indisputably clear during the Democratic primary race is that voters view Clinton as eminently qualified on nearly every issue. Putting her out as the administration's top diplomat would likely be received, nationally and internationally, as a solid choice."
Talk is heating up that Clinton has been offered the position. The Huffington Post reports Clinton was asked to serve during a Chicago meeting Thursday.
"A longtime aide to the New York Senator argued to the Huffington Post that there are strong reasons why Obama would be inclined to make the post worth Clinton's time. 'She is a beloved figure around the world. She has visited over 80 countries, as first lady and senator together," the aide told the Huffington Post. Noting the fact that Clinton learned as first lady how to be effective as a "backdoor diplomat," the former White House assistant said Clinton mastered "a lot of the intricacies of these issues before ever joining the Senate's Armed Services committee. She's tough; she had meetings with some Prime Ministers and Presidents where she had to deliver some blunt messages for us.'"
Delaware Liberal writes, "God that Obama is a genius. Clinton cannot say no, and if she does, she is the asshole."
Over at the Reidblog, JReid wants to know if we're "...witnessing the Clintonization of the Obama administration...?"
This Ain't Hell says, "There are two good things if this appointment in fact happens:1. It is not that damn fool John Kerry
2. Sec State is not in line for the PresidencyHillary is not the worst choice Obama could make. She is very well known around the world and has a popular ex-President on speed dial. She is also very attuned to legacy and will not agree to lose a war on her watch."
What do you think? Is Senator Clinton the best person for the job? Or did you envision her as...say...a Supreme Court Justice?
Erin Kotecki Vest also Queen of Spain blog
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Comments
How to Make Hillary Look Good
Following Condi...way to make Hillary look good!
I hope it's true. I think she'd kick ass.
jennydecki
Beyond Mom Blog
I wonder if she can really say no
I mean, if anyone can...she can...
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
I'd rather it were the Supreme Court...
For reasons explained here, and there is of course a lingering issue of bad mojo in terms of things said about Obama's foreign policy talent, but yeah, I'd definitely support that. (I can haz buried hatchets?)
It's brilliant ...
.... I don't think she'd ever take SCOTUS, because it's not political enough. Sure, you get a cool robe, but there's not enuf action there for her. Secretary of State is really a perfect slot for her skills -- political, knowledgable and high profile enough that she wouldn't see it as a step down (as she might view other cabinet posts).
It's a win for Obama, as well, because that gets Hillary out of the Senate, where Obama might worry about her harboring bad feelings and that possibly impacting his legislative agenda.
It's a win/win for them and the country. What could be better? (Plus it gets Bill out of the country, too!) ;)
PunditMom
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Hillary
I agree it is a smart move for Obama, and a good move for Hillary..
It will get both Bill and Hillary a chance to travel the globe, and where Hillary lacks the personality to smooze foreign countries, Bill has it.. As a Arkansan I can speak first hand how they work together.. They are a powerful political package...
I Totally Agree, It's Brilliant
Except for the part about her being in the Senate and holding a grudge---I really don't think that would be an issue---I totally agree with your reasoning why she wouldn't take SCOTUS and why she might just take Secretary of State.
And Bill out of the country will probably be much more productive than Bill being in the country.
It's win/win.
Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video
Megan's Minute
Video Runway
She's Well-Known Around the World
I think she's a great choice for Secretary of State. She's already met many of the world leaders and is well respected (in addition to being smart and strong). Two thumbs up from me.
http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog
What if she says no?
I'm curious what everything thinks if she turns this down
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
I don't think she will
If there was a fly on the wall several weeks ago when Hillary and Barack were having their private chats, during the primary time, I think several deals were made then. I personally don't think she will turn this down. I think Barack has methodically picked his entire cabinet before he was elected, I am anxious to see what his conversation is with John McCain on Monday when they have their pow-wow... The next 4 years will be more than interesting...
Can One Really Turn the President-Elect Down?
There's the whole duty to country thing, isn't there? Wouldn't Hillary feel obliged to accept such an offer?
http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog
Oh No He Didn't!
Oh yes he did!
I would absolutely love to see Senator Clinton in this role. She is savvy, experienced and is beloved around the world. I love me some New York, but Hillary's political talent would be best used to serve the nation. We need her, she is spectacular force and would serve to show the world that our leadership is willing to move away from the past and turn the page into a brighter American future.
Go-Obama! Go-Biden! Go-Clinton!
Giyen
Bacon Is My Enemy
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Of course
Granny Sue Stories from the Mountains and Beyond www.grannysu.blogspot.com susannaholstein@yahoo.com
I thought he would name her in some role, and this one seemed like a natural to me. One of the things she was faulted for in the campaign was her lack of international experience, so what better way to prove she can interact on the global level (as if she hasn't already)? I think she'd be great in the role.
I wondered if he might ask her to be the Health and Welfare person (what is that called nowadays anyway?) because of her strong involvement with health care in the past. But I like her better as Secretary of State.
Whoever he chooses, I am impressed by the moves he's making to pull people together, put the campaign nastiness behind him and build some strong connections between strong people.
She should do it....
...but, if she does become Secretary of State, per the United States presidential line of succession, Hillary will only be four tragic events away from becoming president. If you can't make it into the white house legitimately, get creative. It wouldn't be the first time strange things happened around the Clintons. I would hate to see anything happen to anyone, but Barack... why tempt fate? I'm just saying....
Well there is that to..
THe Clintons are certainly creative, and being close to them or in their way could be tempting fate...
You never know,
Whoa.
Isn't that taking paranoia a bit far?
Besides, I don't think Hillary wants the White House specifically so much as to be in a strong position in the governemnt. Sec of State would give her that.
My main news
source is the Albuquerque news stations, and they are all making sure everyone in New Mexico knows that Obama also talked to Bill Richardson about this position. I think Hillary would be great at the job, but want to remind everybody that we have a heck of a good Democrat here in the NM desert with some pretty impressive diplomatic chops of his own. Still, I'd be happy to see Hillary get the job.
Virginia DeBolt
BlogHer Technology Contributing Editor
Web Teacher
First 50 Words
I prefer Richardson
I hope she declines, she probably won't, but I prefer Richardson. He is good at foreign relations. Her judgment on Iraq coupled with her more recent vote in support a resolution declaring Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite part of the Iranian military, a foreign terrorist group
cooper
doesn't sit well with me.
I'm sure she could do it I would just prefer another choice.
Hillary
I like him to..
I had originally been thinking Sec of
Education
I had originally been thinking Sec of Education, mostly because of "It Takes a Village". But Sec of State would be awesome.
I'd love to see Hillary in the Cabinet. That would bring a lot of support to the administration. And she would excel in the role, too, I'm thinking.
Trail
I hope this doesn't end up being a whole lot of bluster. I believe in what both Clintons have to give and would sort of like to see us get to an end of speculation and the beginning of actually doing.
Amanda
http://lifewithbriar.blogspot.com
http://toddlywinks.blogspot.com
I think it's sort of genius, really
I definitely didn't see that coming. I thought he'd appoint her to be a Supreme Court justice until she emphatically stated she wasn't into that idea. I thought Richardson would get Sec of State given his foreign relations credentials and his early backing of Obama in the primary and I would have been happy with that.
I didn't think Clinton really shared Obama's foreign policy perspective but you know what? Obama will be her BOSS. That is what makes the move genius.
I think Hillary would be good in that job with Obama setting the foreign policy direction, and I think he likes having smart folks with dissenting opinions nearby.
I'm all for it.
Secretary of State
The only thig I want to point out about This Ain't Hell's comment is of course Secretary of State is line for the Presidency. Fourth to be exact. Granted it's far down the list but....hello...high school civics?
Bill Clinton Could Ruin Everything
Hillary Clinton would do well as Secretary of State but her husband's foreign dealing could derail her nomination.
Mocha Dad
www.mochadad.com
Obama and Hillary trying to "make it happen"
... this is what I just heard on NPR. Trying to fgure out how to overcome Bill stuff (foreign biz deals, etc.) to make it happen.
I'm not thrilled. I wish I were. She said publicly BO's foreign policy is "naive," I worry there will be some degree of power struggle, I'm tired of the Clintons, I don't want to see BO's whole admin filled wtih Clintonians (and it's going that way!), and I would like to see some new, fresh face (even an older experienced one) in this position, getting people excited.
My two cents.
KeegsMom blogs at:
KIDSFLIX
Hillary will Rock It.
No matter what Hillary chooses to do, she'll knock it out of the park. I love her ambition, I love her smarts & I love her attack dog skirtchasing husband too.
They are totally and uniquely American in all the best and worst ways at the same time. Teh awesome.
Keep it Movin!
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