Hoping Hillary Says Yes

Sitting less than ten feet from Hillary Clinton at an RFK Memorial event in New York this week, I was overwhelmed by the presence and power the woman carries with her wherever she goes. Charming and poised as she was inundated by admirers, I could not help but think how hard it was, in some sense, to vote for Obama over Senator Clinton. I was momentarily overcome thinking how I wish both of them could have won.

Like many, I believed that Obama had the better chance to beat McCain. That turned out to be a good bet. Now the notion of Mrs. Clinton as Secretary of State looms over her every utterance and move and I pray that this becomes a reality.

Statesmanship had been the most important tool in a president's toolbox until Cheney and Rumsfeld moved into the West Wing. During Bush's administration, the Department of Defense, war and war profiteering eclipsed any real hope for diplomatic solutions. Perhaps Mrs. Clinton will right the ship and make it once again possible that America's diplomatic voice is clear and convincing, backed up by power of America's military only on a truly as-needed basis.

The president can not go to every corner of the world that requires his attention. Who better to send than the one American who can represent him and all of America with an equivalent intellect, dedication and dynamism. I hope she says yes.

And I hope Chuck Hagel is Defense Secretary. A Vietnam vet. A Republican who understands the world isn't one ongoing bar fight. A man we can all respect and who won't sell us out so that KBR and Carlyle Group investors get rich.

Comments

[eliot77]

I don't think its a good idea for Obama to select Clinton as Secretary of State. They aren't always on the same page and you always need to be on the same page in the White House. Obama dog house (dot com) has a good post about this.

[Groovyyaya]

NO, NO, NO.... you are implying that HRC and BHO no where near on the same page... there is a fine line between being on the same page, and being a "yes man" (or yes woman). We have had 8 years of people too afraid or unwilling to stand up to the president and disagree with him. At the foundation, H. Clinton and Obama are Democrats whose ideals are remarkably similar. They MIGHT disagree on how to go about something - and how is it bad that there are different ideas on the table????

[songbird02]

I agree... it's great that O has the confidence not to surround him self with "yes" people. You want your ideas to be questioned, you welcome intellegent debate especially when you are deciding issues that effect the lives of so many people. I think O has made a wise choice... let the critics give their 2-cents... in most cases that's all the opinion is worth. O isn't driven by his opponents' opinions of him... he is driven by his own intelligence and integrity.

[songbird02]

You cite a blog as supportive evidence? Is it your blog?

[republicannomore]

I think Mr. Baldwin is spot-on with this entry, unlike his last one where he called McCain's gracious concession speech the greatest part of election night. Hillary at State and Hagel at Defense - there ain't no stopping the Obama era with this combination.

[Ugonna]

you didn't really give one good reason why she should get the job, Alec. Presence? So? Why does it have to be rockstar, anyway? That makes no sense. All of a sudden that matters more than anything else. Kerry or Richardson could have done the job as well, if not better.

[to be]

When Ms. Clinton was campaigning against Obama, she sounded, appeared and spoke awkwardly compared to the speech she gave in Denver at the DNC. She works better in a team, than as an opponent, is my conclusion. Her love for this country and her willingness to make way for victory was apparent in that speech. Unfortunately, I cannot quote a word of it, but her spirit was never so perfect. RIchardson and or Kerry could be good, but I think Hillary has much more invested in the victory of this administration than they do. So I agree with Baldwin.

[songbird02]

great post to_be

[GrtPyrmd]

Hillary will be an outstanding SOS. Clinton bashing is popular and required on the left and the right. Senator Clinton is tough, smart, not simply educated, but learned. She is compassionate and goddamn it, fearless. Barrack Obama is demonstrating his trademark good sense and forward-looking approach. Do not follow the media blindly down this road of second-guessing every move Obama makes. We elected him to exercise power; we entrusted him with the reins of that power. For Pete's sake, allow him to take office before we start with the b.s. nitpicking. Hillary Clinton is a powerful ally of the progressive movement. Nobody is perfect: not the critics, not Hillary, not Barrack Obama, not you or I.

[theaviator]

Obama is showing he is strong enough to have strong people around him. That's good news. I don't think I'll ever have affection for Hillary, but I never doubted her intelligence and her ability to get things done.

[springsm]

Well said Mr Baldwin..thank you.

[goldrush]

Lest we forget she's the one who nudged her husband into Kosovo. Ahh, I can't wait to be back in the age of smart wars because we all know Obama is against "stupid wars."

[SHEL333]

Thank you, Mr. Baldwin...I couldn't have worded it all better!! I sincerely hope that the "leaked" reports...ummmm RUMORS...are true and that Senetor Clinton is chosen and says "yes" to be Sec. Of State. As a country, as a world presence, as a world FORCE we would all be better for it.

[Dolphin]

We can only hope for the best. For one thing, Hillary does not look that angry as Condoleeza does with that frown, I think that is a bad thing although it ought to be what people say that really matters. A friendly look is however important in that line of work.

Also it is a nice gesture of Barack Obama to invite his former competitor. Like I said before on the HuffPo I also believe, Alec, that it would have been for the best if the two had tried for the White House together as a team. But then again, I believe in working together instead of being each others enemies.

[Dolphinfan65]

I'm done with both partys, I voted for Obama, because he didn't insult my intelligence, when he spoke. As for Miss Clinton, I'm really tired of the name and I'm sadden that he practically pick the same Cabinat, that wrote the ticket to MOST of the garbage we are ECONOMICALLY going through as a country. The Clintons working with the republicans passed NAFTA, and GATT. The Bushes and the war, filled in the gaps left out. Thats why we are in BAILOUT MODE.
If he needed Hillary so bad why not just pick her as the VP?
Change means something this time, JUST LIKE, the slogan, "IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID". He already showed signs of renigging on some of the promises made on the campaign trail, but even having said this, I'm still gonna give him a chance.
I like Hillary Clinton,but as Secretary of State???? not so much. I would have thought maybe Secretary of Health and Human Services!!!!!!, would be a great fit. But I'm not Obama.
I hope this works out, but so far, I'm not excited about his cabinat picks.
Heres why;
For REAL change to happen, you must pick people who where not there when this crap has happen in the first place. So mad at the system, they are willing to CHANGE IT OUT FOR ANOTHER ONE!!!!. So far he hasn't pick anybody, that i feel is gonna make much Change. Just a bunch a names, with smart titles in front of there names.

[anghiari]

Troll Alert! What you Dophinfan65 and others don't understand is that the world can't wait for new folks to get a feel of how the world works. These people know something about that, and they have a new leader who has no problem leading! That's the change...we have been asking for. People seem to forget Obama taught Constitutional Law...I suspect every domestric and international issue that arrives at his desk is tested against his reading of of the constitution. Can you imagine if george bush had had a clue about the constitution? When I read post like yours I believe its the post of a troll.....no true Obama supporter is willing to question his choices at this juncture. Why, because the speculation of folks like you and the media are all hype...of the worst kind!

[markymark46]

I think it wise to go into that job with people who know what the job is about. Carter made a huge mistake when he went into the office with little Washington insider experience. He paid a huge price.
You are not going to send a bunch of folks who never worked in Washington a day into a new Presidency. That would be a disaster. Obama campaigned on 'change'. And change happens when you smartly set goals and a path to go on. That path has to include people with experience who can help in the battles yet to come.
Also, I think it may be wise to not have Hillary in the health insurance debate this time around, as she was hit over the head with that unfairly, and unfortunately for all Americans. Her ideas on the situation are good, but if she were to head that up she would become the focal point of the fight.

[mtfine]

I don't think a "feeling" is enough to go on.

[morris1030]

I have met Hillary Clinton at private fundraisers several times and cherish a picture of us at one of these events. She is an unbelievably radiant person of charm and humor. Her warmth and humor were a surprise. The energy and intellect she projected was unique. Obama will be served well by this most brilliant and super capable woman who is respected throughout the world. She also will be a Sec'y that strives to remake the disrepair of our Diplomatic Community and all that it implies.

Obama showed wisdom in selecting HRC. She will represent the best interests of our country through executing Obama's policies to world leaders and speak for us in a way that will heal and do us proud, but always mindful of the dangers and complexities. A great choice.

[Kieran]

I am one of those Hillary supporters who did not sign on to the Obama phenomenon. Obama's willingness to hire the Clinton hands only shows how false and manipulative his claims were on the campaign trail. He's in trouble, and he needs those he slammed.

I wish Obama well, of course. I'm only sorry that Hillary had to endure the crass and brutal attacks from progressives that she did. Alec, I welcome this piece as a long overdue recognition of who Hillary really is.

[markymark46]

I think that's a very short sighted POV. I supported Obama not because I hated Hillary. Not because I thought she was a horrible choice. I thought he was the better candidate. I thought Hillary carried too many reminders to independent voters of the ugliness of the last campaigns and the history between her husband and that other party.
As for false and manipulative claims on the campaign trail - most candidates are guilty of that in some sense. Barrack lobbed his, Hillary and Bill lobbed theirs.
I think Hillary is a good choice for Sec. of State. I think Barrack is a good choice for President. I'm not sure why they can't work together because they ran against one another at some point.

[Ugonna]

ridiculous. He didn't say anything over the line. He portrayed the Clintons as not being for change the way he was, but that doesn't mean he can't use ppl of their experience to help make change. It is still HIS vision he will be enforcing. That being said, I don't want her near him.

[Citizen-Jane]

I thought more of HRC in mid 2007 than I do now. I am more proud and imppressed with Barack Obama than I am Hillary. How he can have faith people who I would have long ago threw under a bus is beyond me.

I however must admit that I believe that she would make a great SoS. I am confident that the world would greet her favorably particularly after the eight years we've survived. Everything and anything is better than Bush.

Obama has made a lot of good decisions in the past. And while I didn't agree with all. (FISA.)
I am going to trust his judgement with this pick. And give a Hillary a chance to prove that she is a bigger person too. This is not the Hillary show. This is about our country. We need to repair the damage that Bush and Cheney reigned down on our country and around the world (That may include talking to leaders with out pre conditions. Naive-maybe but if it works and saves lives it is brilliant.) Help this country to once again lead the world towards a better way of living.

It is going to be interesting to see if Hillary can play team as well as she does solo.

And Hillary leave Bill at home........?!....On second thought take him with you with strict orders to remain with in your sight at all times and a court ordered gag restriction.

[HillaryGoAway]

I don't have to "get over" anything. I actually don't even "hate" Hillary. I just see through all the B.S. and the hype. I have not seen any evidence that Hillary is all that her supporters and the media make her out to be. And I am not going to apologize for my ability to think critically and see things as they are. I also really resent people characterizing anyone who doesn't worship Hillary as a "hater". Sorry, there are many of us who just don't believe Hillary has earned all the adulation that she receives. Yes, she has celebrity, but the argument that celebrity it an important component of the SOS is as bogus an argument as any. The fact is, the reason people keep pointing to her fame as a reason she should be SOS is because they can't point to much else. Maybe all you Hillary worshipers should stop hating on the "Hillary haters". Maybe you are the ones that need to "get over it".

[ohmercy]

I think you may be mistaking support and respect based on research and analysis of facts for adulation.
Most supporters quite understand her flaws and foibles as well as her strengths and bbrilliance. We see a whole person, a human being who does the best she can and when she slips up, or falls down she justy gets up and keeps on going, working hard and doing her best.
She isn't perfect and none of her supporters that I know believe her to be some kind of saint or hero. She is an incredibly smart woman who works harder than most. "Scary smart" as her colleagues in the Senate have described her- along with "work horse." She is a liberal not a centrist though she is also pragmatic. An analysis of her voting record, bill support and sponsership proves it.
Researching facts is how I came to support Hillary Clinton. I looked at her record, I searched out facts and stories about her and then considered the source in order to decide how seriously to take them. Next come critical thinking, deliberation, weighing the pros and cons, pulling the inform,ation together- a synthisizing of information.

I'm sure this is what Obama is doing, though I would guess with more thoroughly- with integrity, diligence, and understanding based on facts along with actual knowledge from conversations/discussions, working together, campaigning both against her and then with her and yes, friendship.

What are you basing your "critical thinking" on?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Good for you. No one should appologize for clear thinking or for not being one of the Hillary worshipers.

[Ugonna]

My lack of enthusiasm of this choice is my inabllity to trust this woman within a hundred feet of the presidency. It is why I was against her being the VP. I thought Barack got this, but I guess not.

[Lozange]

In praise of Hillary Clinton:

Though I shall never understand why she shed tears mid-campaign when she didn't upon her most public humiliation, I have a newfound immense respect for Mme Clinton. I don't think anyone can quite grasp yet the measure of her patriotic sacrifice, at the same time this appointment seems urgent too. Had she fully lost (lost face from her husband's administration; lost the candidacy) she would have been a casualty of a faulty political system. I used to mock that she was the best man for the job of American politics but no more. She is a rare brand of feminine power that is not the overt Palin sideshow, Clinton is truly the quiet force behind the seat of power. And for her to go to work proves she has more mettle in biting down ego, swallowing a hard pill for the sake of you, Americans. She should be lauded indeed. Few would stand up for you like she does.

[POTUS2008]

Indeed Hillary is going to be a great SOS