Hillary + Obama = High Drama

It's too early to tell what changes Hillary Clinton will bring to Barack Obama's foreign policy, but she's already had an enormous effect on his brand. Her addition to his team has turned "No Drama Obama" into "Mo' Drama Obama."

Hillary's appointment isn't even official, but the Obama/Clinton narrative has already left the realm of politics. Its twists, turns, shadings, and complex emotions are the stuff of literature.

But who would be the best writer to do this saga justice?

Reading the New York Times' accounts (here and here) of the "awkward dance" that led to Hillary's selection by "the man who dashed her own hopes for the presidency," I thought of Henry James.

It's Portrait of a Lady Secretary of State, in which the morally compromised symbol of the Old World (1990s D.C.) meets the brash, confident, audacious young upstart from the New World. Will the lady be able to "still have her voice " while at the same time "subordinating her ambitions?" Will she be "seen as her own person?" On the other side, will his "self confidence to name a global brand as his emissary" later be unmasked as, instead, a dangerous naiveté? Of course, in James' version, not only would the answer to that last one be yes, it would also likely be the agent of his destruction. Let's hope that Obama is able to rewrite that storyline -- and that The Ambassadors won't become The Turn of the Screw.

But given the palace intrigue that always accompanies the Clintons, James may be too genteel. Consider: in the two Times stories examining the "Clinton-Obama détente," we hear from "confidants of Mrs. Clinton," "former Clinton administration officials...who admire Mrs. Clinton," "a longtime friend," "a former aide," "two advisors to Mrs. Clinton," "a longtime friend of the Clintons who broke with them," "one Clinton advisor," "lawyers on both sides," "people close to the vetting," "close aides to Mrs. Clinton," "her confidants, who insisted on anonymity," "a close associate of Mrs. Clinton," and "one Democrat who is close to both Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton."

So by taking in Hillary, Obama is getting more than just Hillary -- and more than just Hillary and Bill -- he's getting the entire Royal Court of the House of Clinton, complete with chancellors, chamberlains, and a court-jester or two.

De Laclos' Les Liaisons Dangereuses? Or the high farce of Moliere? Or, considering the gravity of the times, do we need Shakespeare?

Of course, if Henry VIII and Richard II are any guide, Shakespeare was decidedly less optimistic about the idea of a "team of rivals" working productively together than Doris Kearns Goodwin.

But, actually, the writer whose work the Obama/Clinton relationship may most resemble is considerably more modern. Let's look at the plot line: a man and a woman start out as fierce rivals, bitterly fighting over seemingly small differences. Much talking ensures -- some of it funny, some of it hurtful. Finally, just when all seems lost, they both suddenly realize they were enamored of each other all along. But they don't actually end up in each other's arms until after an extended third act tease.

It's a Nora Ephron romantic comedy. When Hillary Met Barack. Sleepless in Chappaqua. You've Got Fundraising Email.

Two intensely driven politicians cross paths, each seeking the highest office in the land -- talk about a cute meet!

Then we have the protracted primary battles, the lingering pre-convention resentment, the flirtation with making her vice president, the rejection and selection of another, the renewed post-victory courtship -- with Hillary responding by playing hard-to-get. Finally, he offers her full entrée -- to the Oval Office if not to his heart -- and she ultimately relents. They agree to give the relationship a go. Apparently.

According to Elizabeth Bumiller in the Times, the relationship began to "thaw" when Obama was struck by the passion Hillary showed during her convention speech. After all, what could be hotter to a politician than the passionate embrace of a rival?

Then it really heated up: "By this past Thursday, when Mr. Obama reassured Mrs. Clinton that as secretary of state she would have direct access to him and could select her own staff, the wooing was complete." "Direct access?" Oh, behave!

Bumiller also cites the pair's "working chemistry," and writes that Obama appreciated Hillary's "discipline." Now that's hot: bonding over the ability to stay on message!

Another tidbit: Obama once called Hillary "directly from his cellphone to hers" just to "check in." Awww. Just like Harry and Sally calling to check in with each other while watching TV.

And while it doesn't have the exhilarating excitement of Billy Crystal's mad dash to the New Year's party, or the exquisite tension of Tom Hanks' last-second return to the top of the Empire State Building, Obama's climactic proposal to Hillary seems to have done the trick: "She feels like she's been treated very well in the way she's been asked," said a close associate of Mrs. Clinton.

Colin Powell and George Bush never really got along. Powell was like a trophy wife, brought aboard to make Bush look good. But it was never a love match. Even when Powell gifted Bush with that sparkling vile of fake anthrax and the decisive UN speech in the run-up to the war, the love just wasn't there. And we see what that got us.

On the other hand, Condi Rice was Bush's office wife. She adored him. He put stars in her eyes and made her heart skip a beat. But that didn't help her do a single worthwhile thing as Secretary of State.

Hillary seems like she will exist somewhere in the middle. Not the celebrity figurehead at Foggy Bottom, undermined by neocon underlings (the real object of Bush's affections). And not the moon-eyed adorer, incredibly loyal yet wholly ineffective.

So how does this story end? Will Barack and Hillary be able to make peace now that they've made peace?

Click here to read more developments and analysis on Obama's cabinet picks

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Comments

[ITSDEE]

I worry and am very concerned that President Obama has made the wrong choice in Hillary. If he has made the right choice, then way to Go! If not, I hope he has what it takes to keep this firebrand (Hillary) smoldered.

[Jamey]

Yes, sexism is here again, and i think a bigger problem then racism. With all the problems facing our Nation, can't we get on to bigger issuses then Hillary and Palin? This drama will hopefully end, after Obama makes the formal announcement. Then, just maybe, we will start to trust the judgement of the person we elected as our next president.

[mountainweb]

"the one job he can't fire her from", great statement and there lays the stage for great drama! She knows that she cannot be fired because that would divide the party. He truly has a tiger by the tail and dares not let go. High drama will most certainly be created. But, keep in mind she sees much to be gained by playing it for all it is worth and she VERY smart, maybe smarter than he is. Both are looking at the next election.

[reddiaperbaby]

Sexism rears it's ugly head AGAIN!
If Obama had chosen a male Secretary of State I doubt we'd be hearing about the "twists, turns, shadings, and complex emotions." This author is anticipating and actually stirring up conflict and drama. This is no better than all the to-do about Palin's wardrobe.

[Jamey]

Truer words were never spoken.

[saturnine maniac]

No, this isn't about Obama being a man and Clinton being a woman. If you didn't notice, she referred to Colin Powell as Bush's trophy wife, so if Hillary was a man, I'm sure that wouldn't have changed the analogy.

[care4mypeeps]

I know Hillary will make an excellent Secretary Of State. Since her term has not yet began
lets give her the Respect that she deserves as she prepairs to begin her New Job.

We are supposed to encourage our New Leaders not create problems where they do not
exist. I wish Hillary well and know she will not disappoint.

Imagin if the new boss and co-workers bad mouthed us before we got settled into
our jobs, what kind of presidence would that set for our job performance?

Let's encourage those Newley chosen White House Staff Members to make our Nation Proud
as the last eight years were to horrible to discribe.

[FreedomtoSpeak]

Thanks for your comments, and I agree. President-Elect Obama has the right to assemble his team. If those who adamantly support him actually believe in his insights and abilities, they'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

Sometimes people are so adversarial that they can't look beyond personalities; they take stuff too personally. Fortunately for us that is not the path our future president has chosen.

Senator Clinton is an amazing person with strong intellect, and a backbone. She believes in advocating and working hard to get things done. I don't always agree with her, but I respect her willingness to step up and try to make a difference. And, by the way, these are the same qualities I see and admire in President-Elect Obama.

[katherine2]

Unlike her predecessor, Clinton won't be a token female figure capitulating a good old boy network. Gloria Steinhem has explained the dumping phenomenon on Hillary Clinton as reaction to her not subjugating herself to the power structure in contrast to Margaret Thatcher. I'm not sure what to make of some of the left sided attacks towards her myself, especially when she called for authentic universal healthcare and a windfall tax on oil profits for green tech development, policies which were bolder and more change oriented than Obama's. Having said that, I think we should all be concerned about the challenges that would meet her as Sos, not with projected dramas.

[quest44]

I really thought that giving Hillary the Secretary Of State position was a very risky move for Obama to take considering its the one job he can't fire her from if she doesn't live up to her end of the bargain and promote Obama's agenda and not her own ! I guess now that Obama made his decision all that is left to do is keep our fingers crossed and take a wait and see approach . I think she has the intelligence for the job but I am not sure she has the temperment !

[daddysboy]

Obama picked a successful, connected, worldly, powerful woman that will already know the job (and many of the foreign and domestic diplomats) from day one. Who could be better? Joe Biden is the vice and just like cheney did, he will be able to keep a steady hand on foreign policy (the area he knows best) while the already-experienced Clinton will help insure things get done. Obama has enough domestic trouble on his plate; I don't see a clash of anything since there is so much work to be done. This isn't like bush's administration where everyone was on a constant party and nothing important was being thought about except for how to best appear on television.

[Venise Alstergren]

Much as I dislike Hillary Clinton, really dislike. On the surface she might add a bit of ginger to a man who comes across as good but boring. But, once you have explained how she would bring with her the entire Clinton circus, perhaps my interest was misplaced.

[exmate]

Skaterdon Obama's critical thinking in Oct, 2002
"But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history.

I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda.

I am not opposed to all wars. I’m opposed to dumb wars"

I reast my case

[skaterdon66]

You left out 1 small detail, exmate,....Obama was WRONG...and will never admit it...

[miguelobrien]

I am reminded of a comment by a woman on Washington Journal, maybe A-A, not that it matters, a few months back. What were the Clintons doing accumulating all that surplus money if they were for the poor people? Why didn't they spend it on programs that would help?

Look at all the personal wealth they have accumulated, while she wants someone to bail her out of her campaign debt, a result of poor management. Read her history from her childhood on: the definitive bio could be titled, "Hillary First."

Remarkably like Palin, trying to please a harsh, demanding father, grasping, posturing, elbowing her way up the pile both proven liars.

I honestly think that the inarguable fact of her repeated lie, with smug smile, about sniper fire, disqualifies her for any political post and does qualify her for some kind of serious therapy. She and Sarah are equally delusional.

[BygonesGone]

"I honestly think that the inarguable fact of her repeated lie, with smug smile, about sniper fire, disqualifies her for any political post and does qualify her for some kind of serious therapy."

I remember landing under sniper fire. We had to run with our heads down, and that's what I remember. Lies, lies and more lies. That lie would have played out if cameras weren't in tow. When are they held accountable for all the lies they've told?

Does one get rewarded for lying? Well, I might as well line up my lies, if it leads to promotions, more money, etc.

Bill knew his wife wasn't shot at and their daughter knew it too, but they sat there and said nothing. In front of a nation, she was caught lying, and shrugged it off as business as usual. There aren't enough aspirin in this world to deal with 4 more years of this type of person having power.

Leave Hillary where she is!! So what she is bored. I guess I'd be BORED too if I wanted to be president, thought I was going to be, and saw someone beat me out.

Both of them are big time liars. They cannot be trusted. When it comes to the point where you have to guess if what they are saying is the truth or a lie ALL THE TIME then it's time to cut them lose and let them move on in their own little direction.

[portlaw]

Lots of people lose primaries or general elections yet they don't become crybabies and demand to be treated as special. What is it with her? Kerry, Gore, McCain and so on had some dignity in loss.

[ozighinobo]

Why is everyone getting all bent out of shape because the Cool One wants Hillary as secretary of state. I've got two words for everyone to mull over as they think this thing through - Michelle Obama. As long as Hillary is executing the Cool One's foriegn policy objectives and strategic vision then all will be fast and tight. To think that the Cool One is somehow going to get duped in this exercise is to also make a leap to the assumption that he is a wimp that is about to be run over by Ms. extravagant Pant Suit.. I think every one needs to just chill on this issue - in the immortal words Slick Bill. The upside of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State in an Obama administration far more outweighs any encumbrance that the Clinton's drama might present in it. As for me I will continue to trust Obama's instincts and anyone who thinks he or she is smarter than him on this issue is smoking something or just plain naive.

[archiestone]

I was surprised to hear Charles Krauthammer say on 'Inside Washington' this week that Hilary would be his first choice for Secretary of State. This frightens me.
WillfromSF may well have a point, BUT: Hilary is first and foremost a survivor. While she may rock the boat, she sure as hell won't take any part in tipping it over for fear of nixing her chances at a future run.

[WillfromSF]

He will regret this in the long run. She can't be trusted, she is too ambitious for his job, and her foreign policies are not that in sync with his. She showed her stripes in the primaries and they weren't pretty. And once the trouble starts, getting rid of her will be messy and he will lose support with the die-hard Hillary crowd. I completely support Obama and hope I'm wrong, but I think this will go down as his biggest appointment mistake.

[Klimb]

I II III IIIIIIIIIII ssssort of wwwwant to agree with you in my subconscience...oh do I hope we are wrong! Would make a big difference if they clicked, well!

[daddysboy]

Trusted? She can be fired. This is an appointment, not a tenured position. We have seen Hillary Clinton's worst and to be honest it didn't even compare to mccain and palin's worst. There is only one person still affiliating with the Democrat party that can't be trusted to such a degree that it is potentially a serious problem and his name is lieberman.

[karebarron]

There is a reason Obama is tagging some of the same talent from the Clinton Administration--it worked! Remember the '90's?
When Obama talked about change, it wasn't just for the sake of change. It was about change from the last 8 years.
The Clinton Administration, "Establishment" as it may seem now, was a healthy, functioning, smart body (Monica notwithstanding). And Obama must realize that there is no sense in throwing the baby out with the bath water.
When Hillary ran against Obama, a lot of us reflected fondly back to the days of Bill. No need to diss. It's time to trust the judgment of the man we elected. If he sees talent in Clinton appointees, it'sbecause they were talented and got things done. Let's trust Obama, we voted for him!