Clinton Moves To Expand Role Of State Department: "Reinvention Of The Wheel"

WASHINGTON -- Even before taking office, Hillary Rodham Clinton is seeking to build a more powerful State Department, with a bigger budget, high-profile special envoys to trouble spots and an expanded role in dealing with global economic issues at a time of crisis.

Mrs. Clinton is recruiting Jacob J. Lew, the budget director under President Bill Clinton, as one of two deputies, according to people close to the Obama transition team. Mr. Lew's focus, they said, will be on increasing the share of financing that goes to the diplomatic corps. He and James B. Steinberg, a deputy national security adviser in the Clinton administration, are to be Mrs. Clinton's chief lieutenants.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Yermammy]

Of course she has to expand the role! There's barely enough room NOW for her bloated ego. I'm guessing she'll want the White House (again) as part of the deal. Barack will have to settle for a small cot in the basement kitchen.

[Bettysdad]

She will be an employee with a boss named President Barack Obama. She can be fired.

After she's back in the workforce for a while, she'll remember that the world doesn't revolve around her.

[truthyguy]

You got that right!!!

[TiaL27]

I hope Hillary and her ego doesn't mess things up, but for the country's sake I really hope she does a good job as SOS.

If you really want to know the history of our current US economic problems and its beginnings Google of "the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act " and watch Frontline's "Tax Me If You Can":

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tax/view/

As a Democratic I am embarrassed to say that the Bush Administration did not act alone in deregulating Wallstreet.

[TiaL27]

(continuing from my post above)

the Repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act Info link -

http://consumerist.com/381032/blame-the-subprime-meltdown-on-the-repeal-of-glass+steagall

[LongDongSilver]

Let the chaos begin!....

[RJII]

a loose boulder rolling down a hill. I see potential for overlap, redundancy, confusion and conflict.

[AliMB]

it is possible, but I doubt we will see much of it... even if you were to have less than altruistic views on Obama or Clinton, it serves neither politically to work de-constructively or to seek conflict... though that isn"t to say that the media won't take much gusto exacerbating the disagreements!

[partyofone]

"overlap, redundancy, confusion and conflict" ... so Hillary will be using the same strategy for the State Department that she used in her campaign?

[Social Construct]

Using people from the failing financial sector for anything scares the heck outta me. Unless any of them sounded warnings about the economic mess we're in not one should have a place in our government.

[RODERICK098]

Thats nonsense . any organization have good and bad employees. If they are using the best so what?You canot blame every one in an organization for the mistakes of a few

[satyriasis]

Hillary will make a great SoS. This news of expanding the resources and power of state is terrific. After eight years of debauching state we finally have an administration that recognizes it's value.

Even if you dislike Hllary you've got to admit that after Condi the only way to go is up.

[AliMB]

with all respect, the statement "8 years of debauching state" is not very accurate... the first four years was strange. initially there was an explosion of new FSO and specialists, lots of money for development/cooperation e.g. USAID, but with 9-11 and the wars and everything took a more defense/military/counterterrorism orientation ... thus state went on the backburner, but only to particular regions (in some regions/missions operations continued as normal)... the last few years state was making a strong revival in terms of influence vis-à-vis foreign policy, even in regions where DOD predominates. In defense of Ms. Rice, she was dealt a tough hand. I hope Secretary Clinton has much success. please read my comment further down on this thread for some more information.

[satyriasis]

Rice has been atrocious. This tough hand talk is whitewashing her performance.

The rank and file at State had it right about Iraq. From before it's onset, to the reconstruction. This administration didn't care one bit. They've been spitting on State since day one.

[Stephen C. Rose - Huffpost Blogger]

Though I did not support HC in the Presidential race, I think she will make a great SoS.

http://stephencrose.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/how-hillary-will-get-her-millions-back/

[RODERICK098]

A gracious Obama supporter. Its nice to know you are out there based on the ramblings of some on this blog.

[renatam]

No surprise here. President-Elect Obama will give her as much rope as she needs... The Clintons are so predictable....and, will have very little influence on the world stage. President-Elect Obama is the star -- and he has credibility. Period.

The Secretary of Commerce Richardson (who knows Bill/Hillary well) will not permit Clinton Inc.'s international economic agenda(s) and schemes -- they sought to proffer via Presidential aspirations -- to trump the interests of the American people -- or commoditize them going forward. The State Department will be run from The White House, with our President and VP -- and, Susan Rice -- hands-on managing and repairing our international relationships

[AliMB]

I have to disagree on few points... the Clintons do have a lot of influence on the world stage. The commerce department and Secretary Richardson due not and will not dominate international economic affairs (or even come close to it). There are a variety of players: treasury department is key, the economic sections of US missions, development cooperation agencies, and international finance institutions which the US can control. Certain aspects of the state department will be run from the white house, but micromanaging the department is impossible and unwise. I can tell you with almost certainty that the white house will not be running affairs in smaller missions in say Latin America, Africa, etc. And Susan Rice cannot run the state department, she is an ambassador to a particular mission (the United Nations), and her billet is being elevated to a cabinet position.

[k6007]

THAT is EXACTLY what the world needs...More cli n to n economics.

[LogicNow]

All sounded great until the part about Mr. Lew being a part of Citigroup overseeing a hedgefund. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Citigroup in the toilet these days?

[RODERICK098]

Not everyone that would work for these companies is incompetent

[renatam]

I think it is another master stroke for our President-Elect to allow Clinton Inc. to repatriate and reconfigure itself at the State Department -- where all can see their predictable and continued very profitable setup for international ECONOMIC (wheeling/dealing) agendas. This is exactly what was planned for their joint and illegal 3rd Term -- on a smaller and easily controlled scale.

When they step over the line -- and, they will -- hardly able to contain themselves even now -- they will be fired and we will ALL be grateful. No victim act will work this time around, and the White House State Department can then make our Secretary of Commerce, SOS.

Excellent!

[RODERICK098]

WHAT ARE THEIR ECONOMIC AGENDAS THAT ARE SO PROFITABLE. AME ONE THAT IS DISHONEST OR ARE YOU LYING AGAIN

[FreedomCorpse]

Hillary will do fine. Condi ran it in absentia, Condi's talking points for 8 years had 8 bullet items and 6 of them were 911

[Beninn]

^- Tool

[RODERICK098]

She liked shopping and when asked about Katrina while shopping on 5th avenue stated MAy GOD be with them-interpretation you ain't get help from us.

[AliMB]

I agree... I have every reason to believe that Ms. Clinton will do a good job... correction; ms. rice was not secretary of state for 8 years, only 4. And in defense of Ms. Rice, I can assure you that she did much more than regurgitate talking points... as always, you are entitled to your assessment of Ms. Rice's performance

[anney]

I'm betting now that she plans to run against Obama in 2012. That extra spread of pasture that she's aiming for will sure help in the power-visibility game.

[KarateKid]

HRC looks like she could use a vacation too. I guess it was a tougher campaign than met the eye.

[RODERICK098]

She 's a hard worker. What does her looks have to do with anything? Is this how we decide the future of this country on someone's looks and not their policies.

[k6007]

You'll be better off if you concentrate on her looks...Their economic policies have proven disastrous!

[9UnknownMen]

I love this articles. HuffPo only does it to bait the rabid clinton-haters into looking like their freeper cousins from the 90's.

[KarateKid]

LMAO.

[RODERICK098]

You are very easily amused. hate to see what happened if you saw something that was actually amusing

[BonoX]

yeah they fall for it every time like a mousetrap!

[partyofone]

Yes they do, Bill and Hillary just can't resist a headline or controversy, regardless of how much division it sows in Obama's fledgling administration, or the nation.