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Greg Craig State Department: What Could Have Been
Six months ago, as the bitterly fought Democratic primary came to a close, it would have been a fools-errand of sorts to imagine an Obama administration with Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
Indeed, when the political world began speculating about the Obama foreign policy team, the names that popped up most frequently were those of the President-elect's close advisers -- none more so than Susan Rice and Greg Craig. The former will still have an international affairs role, occupying the post of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The latter, however, will be in the legal world, serving as White House counsel.
Craig had long sought a position in the State Department, two high-ranking Democratic sources tell the Huffington Post. But when reports emerged that Hillary Clinton might be running Foggy Bottom, it muddied his desire. The relationship between the New York Democrat and her long-time friend and husband's impeachment lawyer had grown frosty during the course of the primary campaign. Craig, who was Director of Policy Planning at State during the late 1990s, often spearheaded the Obama campaign's efforts to belittle Clinton's foreign policy experience.
"He originally wanted to be in the State Department, likely as Undersecretary of State," said a source close to the two. "But because of the offer to Hillary, he pulled back... These types of wounds that occur in campaigns frequently are harder to cure or to paper over if they are below the level of the candidates than if it were between the two candidates."
A separate source confirmed that there remains an impasse between Craig and Clinton and that Craig "wouldn't have wanted to be at State" with the former first lady there. But, the source added, when Craig took his position as Obama's counsel, it was hardly certain that Clinton would accept the diplomatic post.
An email to members of the Obama transition team, asking for comment or the chance to speak with Craig, went un-returned.
And yet, for those curious to know what a State Department with Craig in its leadership ranks would look like, there are more than ample clues. In "Change For America," a soon-to-be-released book outlining strategy for the next administration, Craig wrote an entire chapter on rebuilding and repositioning the Department of State (reaffirming that he had his eyes set on the top diplomatic post).
Much of what he outlined is Democratic boilerplate: a renewed emphasis on international engagement, reducing dependence on foreign oil, and replenishing the foreign service ranks. More specifically, Craig called for the next president to "give notice" within the first 100 days of his administration that "the United States' military involvement in Iraq is coming to an end." Additionally, he called for the next president to "give a speech in a major Muslim capital.... that rejects the clash of cultures and civilizations," and to "engage the Iranians directly" on topics of terrorism, nuclear weapons, and common interests.
But much of Craig's outline of what would make a successful Secretary of State mirrors the words people have used to discuss Clinton.
There is the need, he said, for someone with deep roots in the international community and with a tireless worth ethic:
"The new Secretary of State must have a keen knowledge of foreign affairs, diplomatic expertise, and the stature to play the lead role in foreign policy. But given the range, complexity, and diversity of challenges facing the new administration, the new president also needs a Secretary who is a doer, who will actively work for results, and who is nimble enough to manage diverse relationships around the globe."
Also, Craig said the Secretary of State would have to rely on solid relationships with congressional leaders:
"In the first 100 days, the new Secretary of State should develop a plan, in consultation with the leaders of Congress, for mutually agreeable institutions and mechanisms to promote the bipartisanship that is so desperately needed if the United States is to be successful in reasserting its leadership around the globe."
He even suggested a job opening for a respected international figure (see: Clinton, Bill) to help advance U.S. interests in North Korea -- where the president should "send a special presidential envoy" -- and within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Given the various other demands on the president's foreign policy team, the president should consider appointing a senior American diplomat who is experienced, knowledgeable, and known to the region as a full-time presidential envoy with the authority to speak for the government of the United States..."
In the end, Craig will likely have the opportunity to push for at least a part of this vision. The New York Times reported on Sunday that he and other legal officials within the Obama administration could have the authority to review Bill Clinton's speeches. And as White House counsel, he will be in the room during many meetings with the Secretary of State.
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December 3, 2008 12:06 PM