Christopher Hitchens Calls Hillary Clinton As Secretary Of State A "Ludicrous Embarrassment"

Christopher Hitchens appeared on "Hardball" Monday night and voiced his strong opposition to Hillary Clinton being named Secretary of State.

Appearing with Peter Beinart of Time, who is for Clinton's appointment, Hitchens said, "This is the woman who played the race card on Obama... This is the woman whose foreign policy experience consists of making a fool of herself and fabricating a story about Bosnia."

He also brought up the Clintons' overseas fundraising connections and called the idea of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State a "ludicrous embarrassment."

A longtime critic of the Clintons, Hitchens wrote the 2000 book "No One Left To Lie To: The Values of the Worst Family."

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Comments

[Blue in NH]

Hitchins does not seem to understand American politics. When the election is over most politicians settle down to do what is best for the country. Sure, Clinton took some shots at Obama. But both of them know the difference between campaign rhetoric and real political differences.

[gladys46]

I don't remember P.E.Obama taking "shots" at Hillary, he went to the issues of concern to the nation ... she on the other hand did too many staff instructed low, personal blows !

I remember (and can't forget) her saying that one could not choose family, but could choose associates or friends (attempting to associate Obama to Ayers) ... at that time, I thought why she had not discovered divorce ! Again, I will accept who P.E.Obama selects and attempt to repect that person, however, I don't believe I could ever "trust" Hillary !

[WildFancyLady]

I think listening to this common flathrag is a "ludicrous embarrassment." more over, this drunken gardener of lies needs to mind the weeds in his own backyard instead of plundering aimlessly through ours.

[Horst]

He's actually an American citizen by the way. Doesn't look like Obama's much of his own man....some change.....all the Clintons are back with Obama as their silver-tongued figurehead.

[LABC]

How is that mourning process going for your side? Still on bitter?

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Classy job substituting "silver tongued figurehead" for the more common and implied "silver tonged devil". Typical of your ilk.

Obama has consistently been "his own man". What delusional world are you living in? Must be from planet bitter.

Typical Repub attack lines: 1) if he hires Clinton era people, it's not change, 2) if he doesn't hire Clinton era people, they/he are inexperienced, 3) if he hires anyone from his home state, he's bringing in the Chicago thug machine. So basically, your Palin-esque circular logic leaves Obama with only one pool of people to hire from: Republicans/Bush administration appointees. Then you could say, "so much for change" all over again. Leaving Obama, in truth, with no option for hiring without being castigated. Typical Republican logic though.

I for one trust Obama's judgment. He has made good and sound decisions so far. If Hillary is appointed, so be it. If something is found to keep her from the appointment, so be it. Bill Richardson would also be a good choice for the SS role. It is Obama's decision to make. This isn't American Idol where you call in what YOU want. He makes the decisions. We've lived with 8 years of Bush's decisions and we all see how that's turned out. I trust in my President Elect.

[eddiebly]

For someone that does not believe in God, he sure always looks like he is possessed by something.

[GoodNews]

I love boozy Brits!

[gladys46]

Me too ! Although I did disagree with his Iraq war stances !

[Purcy]

Again, I find it interesting that the Obama supporters have no confidence in his choices. As one who did not initially support Obama, but questioned more of his positions, I find I have more confidence in him than many of those who were so adamently supportive of him from the beginning.

Also, Christopher, I find you a ludicrous embarrassment.

[kiran1207]

sorry u r wrong, we have confidence in him. It's just that many don't like HRC because many of the things that McCain said during the General election came from HRC's words. We need time to forgive her, but we will come around.

I for one, believe that Obama knows what he is doing, I mean look at him, he is now the PREZ-elect, did anyone think a biracial candidate would be our future prez?

[TakingBackTheUSA]

and what planet are you on? I, for one, absolutely support his choices and view them as wise and bold decisions. His decisions have paid dividends so far and leave me with no question as to his judgment.

[oldfreedomdude]

I totally agree! The Clintons have absolutely no integrity, and would create a mess in the Obama Administrations. He will have enough problems without them.

[Blue in NH]

This is rather a sweeping statement, isn't it? I am inclined to have more faith in President-elect Obama's judgement than that of the writer of this post.

[WestLittleRock]

I cannot wait for you and others anti Clinton folks to eat your words. She is going to be great and you will have to eat your words. Man, the honeymoon is over. The haters return.

[MJJM]

I don't understand why OBAMA made this offer to Hillary. He knew that Bill could be a problem. Why make this offer, now people especially his supporters are questioning his judgement. Is this the deal that was agreed upon during the general election?

[OtayPanky]

This is a sterling example of the pot calling the kettle black.

Yes, the pot is a blind fool to ignore his own blackness.

But he's still right about the kettle.

[Horst]

Hitchens is spot on. There are so many people with great foreign policy experience, why pick her? Obama looks weaker every day...caving in to the Clintonistas.

[artsandminds]

Come’on people, many of the Senate Obama surrogates have come out and said we need to move on “this is about forgiveness and working together” but what this really is really about is accountability, the thing that was so lacking during the Bush years. First Obama was pushing Harry Read and the Senate to forgive Leiberman and leave him unscathed, now Obama is perhaps going to bring H.R.Clinton in as Sec of State, what do these two have in common: they are both strong supporters of Israel. The theatrics that the two parties put on for us are just a distraction, the real struggle is behind the scenes, when it is the power brokers and lobbyists set the agenda. Why have Lieberman and Clinton faired so well when they were so anti-Obama during the election, in a word AIPAC.

[LABC]

It doesn't get less tiresome the more times you say it. Let me write your next one: Obama is weak...clintonistas rule... blah, blah, blah...

[thomshep2242]

Hitchens is one of the strangest TV commentators to emerge during this past election process. I've seen him on Bill Maher's "Real Time" and several other shows, including last night's "Hardball." It is hard to understand where he's coming from politically because he seems, as a person, really cold-blooded and utterly reprehensible. He looks, well, constipated. He may be a good guy in real life, but he comes across as a human black hole.

I hadn't realize until I checked his Wiki entry that he's been writing books and articles for over 25 years. He must be a fantastic writer to be invited to all these shows, but he seems to be composing/revising essays on the fly whenever he speaks, and, man oh man, the guy needs to lighten up.

As for his comments last night, Senator Clinton is far from a "ludicrous embarrassment." (whatever that still cryptic remark means -- embarrassment to whom? Obama? Clinton? America?) One could write volumes refuting his assertions about Clinton's foreign policy experience, including a defense of her Bosnia "fabrication," but the real point is that she knows stuff, she's a brand name that's respected by both sides of the aisle, and frankly Obama would likely have lost the election without her. I agree that Bill remains a stumbling block in this vetting process, but Senator Clinton, who I didn't support for president, would be a great addition to President Obama's administration.

[Horst]

The problem is corruption. Bubba has taken millions from the Saudis, from Qatar, from Morocco, etc, etc (just like the Bush family, by the way). There is a major conflict of interest no matter how you cut it.

[TakingBackTheUSA]

and did you ever put 2 and 2 together that if those things are enough issue, then Hillary can be off the list due to her husband, but Obama gave her the chance nonetheless?

Not much in the ways of diplomacy are you?

[chin075]

Hitchens is an alcoholic blowhard with nothing better to do than to speak ill of others. He surely thinks he's above the whole of humanity with his superior intellect, the jerk.

[kiran1207]

OBAMA WON THE ELECTION, stop trying to make it seem that HRC helped him win, she didn't.
He won by uniting a lot of minorities(women, youth, asians and blacks) and getting the majority of the white middle class votes. HE won in an electoral landslide and a large pop vote majority that Bill Clinton couldn't do.

[gladys46]

Amen.

[Keith52]

I think the brilliance of Barack's decision here is that he is basically saying "fine, Hillary, you can have a very important post in my administration, if you pass the vetting of your conflicts overseas. AND if you don't do what I say, this position is one that I can take away from you."

For Barack it is win/win. She will be a good SoS if can pass the test. And if she doesn't pass the test Barack can honestly say to Hillary and her supporters, "You think you could have lasted through a campaign for POTUS when you couldn't even be successfully vetted for SoS?"

[artsandminds]

Maybe, but why anger Obama's base in the first place, when there are so many who disserve his loyalty (Bill Richardson/Latinos). There is more to this than we see, and I don't think the same energies that are pushing to protect Lieberman are not also behind this travesty (AIPAC).

[PATina]

I agree. I think she'd do a good job... but so would a lot of other people. I think he's chosen her because it puts her in a position where he'd have more control over her. I also think that is one of the reasons (besides the vetting) that it's taking her so long to accept. She knows that Secretary of State is most likely the highest position she'd ever reach... but she also knows that she's practically giving up any chance (no matter how slim) she has of being President.

[kiran1207]

you r 100% correct. IF she can't pass the vetting process for the SoS then she wouldn't have lasted the General election. I think Bill Richardson is the best choice, he is calm, well-spoken and comes across as likable whereas Hillary doesn't.

[PATina]

I also am leery about the fact that so many Republicans like her for the job. It just makes me feel like they have something up their sleeves to try and use her against President Obama.

[gladys46]

There are some things an honorable, trustworthy person does not say or do ... P.E.Obama as we all know, has more than "just a speech!"

P.E.Obama has good judgment and if he selects Hillary) ... I too will need to summon my better angels asking for help in respecting her !

[Pippilangstrumpf]

I love ya Chris, but you seriously have to stop letting your hatred of the Clintons take such control.

It's time to re-look your process and let some of that go.

[Scandalouscandice5]

How was pointing out facts about the Clinton's hate? They did it, he called them out.

[LemonMeringue]

There are better choices for SOS, and jobs that are a better fit for Hillary.

Let's hope the Senate is very careful.

[truth2008]

I'm tired of these people trying to discredit Hillary because of Bill. They fail to mention that during the Clinton terms the US prospered. I say give Hillary a chance, she campaigned her heart out for Obama, and she's an intelligent, strong leader. Dems should stay united, and ignore the media and rightwingers who dispise and hate the Clintons.

[gladys46]

I just don't like Hillary ! Thanks to her, there are areas here in PA that I will never travel ... by auto, boat, train or plane ! She sought out the worst "bitterness" in PA !

[artsandminds]

Yes, be sure not to mention her vote FOR the war on Iraq, or her support of the Leiberman/AIPAC legislation to make war on Iran, yes leave that out, it is only relevant in an honest conversation...

[sugarmoes]

and mr. hitchens still thinks the iraq war was completely justified.

he obviously has extremely bad judgement.

[Scandalouscandice5]

He was wrong on Iraq. Okay. But he isn't wrong about what he said about Hillary and Bill.

[artsandminds]

So, at least half the country, wongly, feels the same way.