Eagleburger: I Have "Very Little Respect" For Bill Richardson's Intelligence

In the waning days of the campaign, Lawrence Eagleburger memorably put his foot in his mouth by basically mocking Sarah Palin's capacity to serve as Vice President. Now, the former Secretary of State is once again deploying undiplomatic language to describe some potential Secretaries of State for the upcoming Obama administration.

Asked during an appearance on MSNBC to assess Bill Richardson's capacity for the post, Eagleburger attacked the New Mexico Governor's intellectual capacity.

"Again, I don't want to beat everybody to death, but I have very little respect for his intelligence and his knowledge of foreign affairs," he offered.

As for Sen. John Kerry, another potential appointee: "Good. But is he able to stand up to the Vice President? I'm not sure of that."

Eagleburger did offer some praise to Chuck Hagel, the soon-to-be-retired Nebraska Republican: "I think he could be a good Secretary of State. I shouldn't deny that. I think he could be quite good."

But his top choice was Sen. Hillary Clinton, the candidate who seems poised to actually get the job.

"I'm not trying to defend her. I think she would be, in terms of a competent Secretary of State, I think she stands probably head and shoulders above anybody else I can think of," he said. "There are all these peculiar connections that the Clintons have had for years, and I can't deny any of those. I do believe, however, when it comes to the serious issues of foreign affairs, she probably brings more to the job than most of the other possible candidates."

Comments

[breezyholler]

It is time for a peacemonger as SOS......s­ome one who is dedicated to the will of the people ...WE THE PEOPLE have spoken in electing Obama ...we have said we want an end to this war...peri­od...

[campgranata]

But his top choice was Sen. Hillary Clinton, the candidate who seems poised to actually get the job.

Anyone who supports MRS Clinton should not be discussing anyone else's intellect.

[Plowboy]

Eagleburger -- or Eaglebungler -- was a terrible Neocon choice as SoS and was never approved by Congress. So who gives a flying f*** what he and his vile companions want.
Richardson is -- by far the best choice. He is the change wew need.

[nikky]

will these people go home but i think we will hear this for the next four years when they never said a word while they were sending this country into the toilet

[breezyholler]

You said it Plowboy...­.I'm with Richardson­....He's a no nonsense ...uncompl­icated gentleman.­..and we do need a Male SOS.....Th­ese macho-men of the middle east consider it an affront to their fragile egos to have to negotiate with a woman.....­.I don't mean to come off as sexist....­but the Muslims are...and sadly we must meet them on that level...WE are not about to change the way they treat women....

[solidblue]

I think Eagleburger is right. Clinton and Hagel are the only tow in the group qualified to be head of State. Kerry would put everyone to sleep and Richardson lacks the intelligence and intestinal fortitude. I hope that Eagleburger didn't say this on the Chris Matthews show. Matthews hates everything Clinton and I'm sure he's doing something down his leg for Richardson.

[day2night]

I don't know Richardson's educational background or that of Eagleburger, but a lot of these high-profile Washington-types went to Ivy League schools and if one did not, then they look down their noses at the person.

Perhaps it's the fact that Richardson isn't a WASP that Mr. Eagleburger criticizes his intellect. If we are always going to judge someone based on how that person always speaks, then Eagleburger would be judged as quite ignorant.

Also, could John Kerry stand up to Joe Biden? They are equals in the sense that they've been in the Senate for almost equal amounts of time, and Kerry was the Dem nominee; a feat that Biden never was able to accomplish. I think that Kerry could stand up to Biden just fine.

[dubster]

Richardson is a very educated man. When he was a kid he was educated at a Boston-area preparatory school. Then for his college education he received his Bachelors degree (BA) at Tufts University majoring in French and political science and his Masters Degree (MA) in international affairs from Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Tufts University is a very prestigious and selective university in the country. The Fletcher School, is the oldest school in the United States dedicated solely to graduate studies in international relations.

[imfedup]

Hagel was EXCELLENT in his assessment of the Repub's errors in the past 8 years. Too bad these guys have to wait until they retire to tell it like it is.

[Fremon]

Why is Eagleburger able to judge the competency or intelligence of Richardson? What did he bring to the table that allows him to judge competency to the potential Secy of State. What did he think of Rice in that position? Where are Eagleburger's bone fides and accomlishments in this position? Because he held the post once? Kind of reminds me of McCain trying to tell the Democrats that Hillary should have been the selection for VP? Personally, I don't think Richardson is the man for the post. My brother living in retirement in NM (an avid Democrat as I) did not think Richardson special as a Governor. Now, that doesn't mean he wouldn't be good but I don't think this post is a good one for him. I just don't like the Eagle giving us his views about Democrats.

[ChelseaC]

Eagleburger is just trashing Richardson because he knows he might be a possible SOS pick and the neocons want Hillary--so trash Richardson so Hillary looks better.
Richardson is an intelligent man.

[breezyholler]

Eagleburger is approaching senility..­..why are people seeking his opinion !!!!!!

[lapdogs]

Gee. Wasn't Eagleburger one of those DUMB NEOCONS who believed that Saddam had WMD and sent over 4,200 soldiers to their early death?

Whose the real dumb one Eagleburger?

[Jazzcomedian]

I don't recall Eagleburger being a particularly noteworthy or successful Secretary of State during his term of service. In fact, most people would be hard pressed to even remember that he served. History has just him mediocre at best.

[longnow]

Eagleburger is right. Did anyone see Richardson on MTP?
It was bad.

[serenegeezer]

I have no comment on the accuracy of Eagleburger's assessment of Richardson's intelligence.

What I wonder about is: Does Stein view it to be "putting your foot in your mouth" to express frankly an honestly held opinion, be it accurate or inaccurate?

Perhaps he (Stein) thinks strong statements are the prerogative of scribblers.

[Glowcy]

.
Eagleburger is just clowning MSM.

A fun matchup in the SOS discussion would be Eagleburger and Hitchens.

.

[BarackDaVote]

He is just mad because his name is Eagleburger. What kind of name is that anyway?

[jaydeedub]

lol

[gonbald]

An eagleburger is kinda like a hamburger made from eagle meat - not ham or beef or moosemeat. Some wolf meat may be introdued into it though (for taste only).

[ChelseaC]

LOL.

[DaOne]

This clown was "acting" Secretary for five months and SOS for only one month.

Who gives a flying F@CK about anything this loser thinks?

[CharlottesvilleVA]

Apparently 18 pages worth of commenters care.

[macraw71]

I'm more than sure Bill Richardson could give a rats a z z about what you think...