Hillary for Secretary of State?
November 15th 2008 22:36
According to recent news reports, Barack Obama may name Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State. As I've said before, I'm afflicted with Clinton Derangement Syndrome. However (and I can't believe I'm saying this), I think she would be a good choice as Secretary of State. Here's why:
* She is well-spoken and is a strategic thinker. Yes, she had a couple of undiplomatic comments during her campaign for the presidency, but that's to be expected. She didn't make any major blunders and was always playing the angles. Those are skills that could be useful for a Secretary of State.
* The Clinton name is still very popular overseas. Bill Clinton was well-liked by our allies and the Clinton Global Initiative has only improved his stature. Hillary Clinton could piggyback on her husband's name brand and receive a certain amount of instant credibility.
* It would keep her off the Supreme Court. I heard suggestions during the campaign that Obama could nominate her to the Supreme Court. I don't know if that idea has a basis in reality, but that is NOT a role that I would like to see her in. Making her Secretary of State would almost certainly take off the Supreme Court list.
* She's not John Kerry. I heard that John Kerry REALLY wants this position. He should not get it. He has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease. He often makes outrageous and antagonistic statements. That is the LAST thing we need in a Secretary of State. His reckless commentary could draw us into unnecessary confrontations. Compared to the wandering faux pas that is John Kerry, Hillary Clinton could be considered both measured and reasonable.
* The move makes sense for Obama in terms of politics. The old adage says that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. If he can keep Hillary under his thumb by giving her this position, he can keep tabs on her and make sure his biggest rival is on his side. She will want to succeed in whatever she is doing -- and when the Secretary of State succeeds, it makes the President look good. Likewise, Hillary Clinton could use her current position in the Senate to undermine Obama's agenda and make his first term very difficult. Naming her as Secretary of State would take that capability away from her.
So while I am no fan of Hillary Clinton, I think that she would be a good choice as Secretary of State. She wouldn't be my choice if I could choose anyone in the country, but elections have consequences. With the understanding that a Democrat will soon assume that role, I think we could do a lot worse than Hillary Clinton.
* She is well-spoken and is a strategic thinker. Yes, she had a couple of undiplomatic comments during her campaign for the presidency, but that's to be expected. She didn't make any major blunders and was always playing the angles. Those are skills that could be useful for a Secretary of State.
* The Clinton name is still very popular overseas. Bill Clinton was well-liked by our allies and the Clinton Global Initiative has only improved his stature. Hillary Clinton could piggyback on her husband's name brand and receive a certain amount of instant credibility.
* It would keep her off the Supreme Court. I heard suggestions during the campaign that Obama could nominate her to the Supreme Court. I don't know if that idea has a basis in reality, but that is NOT a role that I would like to see her in. Making her Secretary of State would almost certainly take off the Supreme Court list.
* She's not John Kerry. I heard that John Kerry REALLY wants this position. He should not get it. He has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease. He often makes outrageous and antagonistic statements. That is the LAST thing we need in a Secretary of State. His reckless commentary could draw us into unnecessary confrontations. Compared to the wandering faux pas that is John Kerry, Hillary Clinton could be considered both measured and reasonable.
* The move makes sense for Obama in terms of politics. The old adage says that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. If he can keep Hillary under his thumb by giving her this position, he can keep tabs on her and make sure his biggest rival is on his side. She will want to succeed in whatever she is doing -- and when the Secretary of State succeeds, it makes the President look good. Likewise, Hillary Clinton could use her current position in the Senate to undermine Obama's agenda and make his first term very difficult. Naming her as Secretary of State would take that capability away from her.
So while I am no fan of Hillary Clinton, I think that she would be a good choice as Secretary of State. She wouldn't be my choice if I could choose anyone in the country, but elections have consequences. With the understanding that a Democrat will soon assume that role, I think we could do a lot worse than Hillary Clinton.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
It reminds me of a story I read about LBJ. He supposedly considered firing J. Edgar Hoover, but decided against it, saying, "I guess I'd rather have him on the inside pissing out, than on the outside pissing in."
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
S.L. I believe Hillary can take Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a fair fight, I would pay money to see that contest.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
In a fight with Mahmoud, she'd probably spar for a couple of rounds. Then he'd make a comment about women and burqas and "knowing their place" and she'd unleash the fists of fury. She'd probably drive him into the ground by bopping him on the top of the head in a hammer-like fashion. Mahmoud is only 4'2" or 4'3", you know.