Reconciliation without Truth
Implausible as it sounds, this is the best explanation anyone has given of the offer of the position of secretary of state to Hillary Clinton. Lincoln took William Seward at State, and Seward was a rival indeed, but he had fought for Lincoln with ferocious loyalty and all his eloquence throughout the campaign, and he put his considerable vote-getting power at Lincoln's disposal. What can be said for Hillary Clinton? She fought against Obama until the last possible moment, and on the way exploited, for the purpose of discrediting him, most of the devices the Republicans would later tap in the general election. She said Obama had not shown himself fit to be commander-in-chief. She pretended not to know for sure whether or not he was a Muslim.
Team of Rivals is a pleasant work of popular history, only harmful to the extent that you weave fantasies around it. Anyone who cares about Obama's fortunes after his first large public mistake (for even to offer Clinton the position was a mistake) should close his copy of Goodwin and open the actual words of Hillary Clinton on Iraq, and the things Barack Obama said about those words.
It may seem an incidental detail but none of the people in Lincoln's cabinet had a husband who was a former president with a pronounced need to be at the center of the national stage at all times. Why not repeat the truth? Barack Obama's election was a real breakthrough, without precedent--something he did by himself with the help of a million workers who were not working for Hillary Clinton. When the reading is done and the analogies played out, we should also admit that no two situations in history are much alike.
The wars President Bush has involved this country in, awful as they are, don't in any way resemble the Civil War: not in magnitude, not in necessity, and not in the domestic threats that can be supposed to attend them.
Is Obama's misstep part of a larger pattern? Signs going as far back as July, and as near as yesterday, from persons "close to Barack Obama" ranging from Patrick Leahy to Cass Sunstein, have suggested there ought to be no serious investigation of crimes around domestic surveillance and torture. What of the hundreds of Bush appointees sown throughout the departments and the agencies? These people's ideas of right and wrong will come in part from what the new administration shows itself to care about and what it prefers to disregard. Indifference in this setting is not magnanimity.
Tuesday the Democrats voted to allow Joe Lieberman to keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. Lieberman did his worst to tear down Barack Obama in 2008 by questioning his love of his country and his fitness to lead a secure government. Compare Lieberman and Clinton now with another person who has been mentioned for secretary of state, Chuck Hagel. Hagel accompanied Obama on his foreign tour even as Lieberman accompanied McCain. That we are not now at war with Iran may also be owed in part to a courageous letter that Hagel wrote to Admiral Fallon last October, on the recklessness of American saber rattling--this, when Clinton and Lieberman were voting the AIPAC line and saying, with docility, that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was a terrorist organization. They hoped if there was a war it would be over by the election.
Any president needs around him people of courage, judgment, and competence who share his fundamental views. If Hillary Clinton all along fit that description for Obama, why did he not tell us so? A party in control must in some respects resemble any other institution that hopes to maintain itself. Reward those who sap and undermine, and you likewise discourage those who are loyal. People will practice the bad arts that they see are profitable. And who that voted in 2008 was looking to have a government of reconciliation without truth?
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Basically we are getting the Clinton admin part 2.
Rahm, Hill and others....
meet the new boss, same as the old boss....
'cept he looks real good on stage and can complete a sentence.
the empire continues with a brand new smiley face!
For the life of me I cannot figure out this hatred - even among Democrats - of the Clintons. Were you around for the Clinton years? I thought we enjoyed 8 years of peace and prosperity, digging us out of a huge fiscal hole and leaving us with a surplus. Am I missing something? Is this about Monica Lewinsky? Is this about some weird gender-based obsession with Hillary? Because Obama's campaign was about something bigger than all that. Cadbury's comment below is right - Biden said things that were at least as bad as Hillary in the primaries, but with him everyone said "it's just politics". I don't know if it's because she's a woman or what, but there is a double standard for Hillary. She just can't do anything right for some people.
And you complain about bringing in Clinton people. Who do you want running the country, anyway? Some bumpkins from Alaska like Sarah Palin with zero experience in national politics? Washington is a complicated place - you need people who are tested, and who know what they're doing, if you want to get anything done.
If there's a mistake in having Hillary as State, it's that she might have done a better job on domestic issues. But the world loves her, she's smart as a whip, and she'll work tirelessly for this country like she always has, and like she worked for Obama in the last months of the election.
Lisa2008, if you have read these posts and others on HuffPo, as I think you might have, you realize that Hillary haters are a strong segment of the population here and they would like nothing better than to use her past and what they perceive as the future to take her out verbally. My hope is that she reads some of the trashier posts and decides not to take the position. Someone like Bill Richardson is far more their cup of tea: non-controversial, supporter of Obama, and willing to do anything to advance his career. Besides, Joe Biden is going to be there as someone with experience in foreign policy and issues which Obama lacks. I want Hillary to stay in the Senate.
We were around. I guess you must have slept through it.
"Why not repeat the truth? Barack Obama's election was a real breakthrough, without precedent-
See, now when I read something like that I feel really pissed. The only reason (ok, the biggest reason) a lot of HRC supporters voted for BHO was because she encouraged it. Clinton asked them to support the Dem nominee and vote BHO - and a lot of supporters did. The vast majority, in fact, of former Hillary supporters swung hard right and voted Obama. This was out of loyalty to Clinton, not Democrats in general. Disregarding that voting block and saying, "Hey, we coulda done it without ya!" seems really stupid. If for no other reason, it fortifies that group of voters into looking for another candidate in 2012 and undermining Obama's efforts in the years to come. And if he hadn't needed them, he wouldn't have bothered recruiting Hillary during the campaign.
You know, I think this is exactly what ticks the rest of us off about you Hillary supporters. Yes, we know there were 18 million of you. But out of 68 MILLION people who voted for Barack Obama in the general (from all ages, genders, races, and political affiliations!), you think that entitles you not just to a seat at the table, but to be at the head of it. You and your glass-ceiling crowd continue to spit in the face of those others who voted for this man and thus put their own (even bigger) cracks in the ceiling. Get over yourselves already. The universe does not revolve around you no matter how much you wish it did.
Where to begin! What is wrong with you people? You talk about the Clintons like they are some lunatic fringe politicians who never accomplished anything and have the morals of rodents! You talk about Hillary as if she didn't get half of all Dem votes cast! You talk about the media's constant obsession with every breath the Clintons take as if it's their fault! During the primaries, Hillary didn't say anything that Biden didn't say as well--and yet no one has a problem with him being VP. Bromwich talks about Hillary and AIPAC --and yet Obama is the one who made those ridiculously right-wing comments about Jerusalem while pandering for AIPACs support. Folks, it was a hard fought campaign--far less negative and more respectful than most. (Witness McCain/Palin's approach.) After the primaries NO ONE fought as hard as Hillary to get Obama elected. Can we see a little less bile and a little more critical thinking, please?
Antije Krog's memoir about the history of the South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission under Desmond Tutu, Country of My Skull, contains a devastating portrayal of Hillary Clinton's appearance as a visiting celebrity diplomat who dropped down briefly into the country during these events. Hillary's visit served as a distraction from important issues that were buried under the superficial and costly press coverage she got.
I agree entirely. This is possibly not just his first big mistake, it could be one of the biggest he ever makes. Hopefully he'll remember that after 8 years of foreign policy down the barrel of a gun the US needs a strong SoS who knows the lay of the globe and knows how to talk to friend and foe alike. Clinton isn't qualified. Her liabilities exceed her abilities (if any). Bringing in Clinton is just as bad an idea as it would have been to offer her the VP slot, but worse, because SoS is a real job.
I disagree!
Hillary did more for Obama than any other democrat. 65 campaign stops, 6 Bill Clinton stops in all the areas that helped him win the election.
Did Hillary ever go off message during the general election when she spoke at 65 rallies or during her numerous appearances or during the DNC? Did she not turn around after a huge loss and graciously congratulate Obama with a gracious concession speech and at the DNC?
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM HER? Obama obviously sees something in Hillary that many of her supporters saw and has a lot of respect for her. It was a hard fought campaign and it actually made him a stronger candidate for the general election.
I think this is a fantastic pick. The only mistake he would make is to listen to people like you who want a Kerry or Richardson in that role that are too weak to stand up to middle east leaders.
It figures your name is Kate.
Obama is a disappointment to many of us who stood by him all through his campaign. And I'm afraid we haven't seen nothing yet.
How quickly you turn on Obama who you stood by through out the campaign. Yet, his main rival (hillary clinton) made 65 campaign stops and fought just as hard if not harder to help him get elected. I didn't see you complain about her when she was stumping for Obama!
I'd like to see just a little bit of thanks to the 18 million Hillary supporters to rallied behind, volunteered and donated to Obama so he could win the election and the moment when Hillary might get an important post because he thinks she is qualified suddenly she is not good enough.
Its time to unite and stand behind our President-elect because we all stood by him to get him elected.
It hasn't even been a month since the election, and you are already mad at the President Elect for selling out. Oh my, yes, I think you'll need to prepare for lots of disappointment as he will be operating in the real world, which requires compromise.
I'm just thrilled the past 8 years are finally coming to a close, and we actually have someone in place to start cleaning up the mess the last administration has left us in.
Hill made a ringing endorsement at the DNC, made 64 appearances on the stump. How did she not campaign "with ferocity and loyalty" like Seward did for Lincoln?
She "fought against him until the last moment"???
WRONG
and why is it somewow misguided to learn from history?
Bromwich you need to reconcile with the truth
this was a laughable read.
Well said.
Thank you!!! ENOUGH of this banter. I'm really sick of it. Obama is our President and he runs the show. If they don't like it, vote for a Sarah Palin in 2012. Maybe that is the change they want.
Hillary C voted for Bush's war out of cynical political expediency - because she thought it would look good to seem tough - then lied about it all over the place when it went sour on her.
She and Bill sold out the Democratic Party to the corporate oligarchy, and she and Bill are personally sold out to the corporate oligarchy. The worst of this appointment would be that Obama takes a stand to keep America a profit and privilege plantation to the same corporate sponsors who brought us the Bush administration. That is how it's looking.
Welcome to the Clinton/Lieberman administration. What a bummer.
Why didn't he pick Reverend Wright, or Jophn McCain, what'sa the difference.
What is Obama thinking? The times of Lincoln and today are not comparable. During Lincoln's term, the very existence of the US was in question; now it is a economic crisis with a problematic situation in the Middle East. Times are not as critical today, though they are tough. Obama needs a secretary of state who is loyal to him and his administration and who will have a close relationship with him to give the secretary gravitas that he/she speaks for the president. Clinton and her husband have their own agenda. "No Drama Obama" will become "High Drama Obama". My trust in the man I voted for would seriously erode if he offers her the job; it would be a huge mistake of judgment. I voted and fought hard for Obama so that Hillary would become Secretary of State with Bill? Are you kidding me?
I have a hard time with American citizens who discount any time in our history as "not comparable". It's all comparable. Just because they didn't have cars and ipods doesn't mean that the threats of our country coming apart or being taken over were not there. Crack a serious history book, man. The fact that we have red states and blue states should tell you plenty about Lincoln's trials. Do you think that my great-great uncle shooting at my great-great grandfather was fun to read about in Civil War history. It forever changed what happened to our family as a result. Forever. Obviously these were real people, living in a real time in our country. Lincoln did the best job anyone could do to hold the United States together. Seems we are still trying, hum? Let the person who ran and won the office make the decisions. After all Hillary delivered 18 million votes to Obama, without them we wouldn't have this victory. Give her a break. Give Obama a break.
Well said...
I agree with some points in this post in theory, just like I disagree with bailing out corporations that fail. But now is not a theoretical time. This country is so broken right now, we don't have the time to deal with what amounts to politics as usual. I think Barack's move to put HRC in his cabinet is a smart one. Ever heard of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer?
Everything has to be put into the context of the crisis we are in. I now know 2 people who are on the brink of losing their homes (one is walking away, the other trying to work it out). My father, who worked at GM for 35 years, is in danger of losing his pension. I pay for my health insurance out of pocket, and still am afraid to go to the doctor because the coverage is minimal. This is what I care about, and I voted for Obama because I trust his leadership.
Truth? Are you perhaps thinking of some Buddhist somewhere that we haven't been talking about?
The Noble Lie is the trade mark of the Neocons -- like Scaife, Murdock and the Hillary they pushed at us --
The Clintons are not known for their addictyion to truth. And I haven't heard of any great conversion recently, so ...
I think letting Hillary be SoS would be a silly bit of stupidity for one wishing to establish trust and build on it to solve problems.
My sentiments exactly, David. I HOPE somehow Barack Obama will find this article and read it. I HOPE I am not too disappointed in Obama after working so hard among the other "millions workers not working for Clinton." John Kerry supported Obama early on in the primaries. Even Bill Richardson jeopardized his friendship w/ the Clintons by supporting him. Where are seats for these loyal guys of like minds? I find some of Obama's appointments strange and disappointing. I am trying to find some real "change" here. I HOPE I do not regret not voting for Hillary.
You are right in that a leader should have people around him that share his fundamental views. So far, it's been really hard to tell.
We just had a president who only surrounded himself with people who believe in his fundamental views, placed loyalty over common sense - and look where that got us. A lot of people point to HRC's loyalty to people who were not performing as a reason she lost the primary.
I would love to see Bill Richardson have a place in national politics, too, along with some other people Obama has met with, but I also wonder if some folk are backing down because of the far reaching ethics vetting. We should not assume that folks we don't see getting tapped is not due to this. I appreciate he is taking the time to find out about the dirty laundry before he picks people for their jobs.
I don't think you will regret your vote.
I would love to see Bill Richardson have a place in national politics, too, along with some other people Obama has met with, but I also wonder if some folk are backing down because of the far reaching ethics vetting.
Bill Richardson is bilingual. The vetting process seems to border on paranoia.
I agree with you in some respects, but think about what you are saying.
1. Obama chose Hillary
2. Hillary is bad
3. Therefore, Obama chose badly
Okay, fair enough... but if Obama choosing Hillary discredits him, then doesn't your regret for not voting for her discredit you...?
It's funny that you can refer to Bill Richardson as "loyal" and thus somehow deserving of a post. Bill Clinton and Richardson weren't merely friends. Clinton MADE Richardson's career. Where do you think Richardson got all that vaunted foreign-policy experience that Obama supporters suddenly care so much about? What a joke.
As for Obama's trying to surround himself with people who share his fundamental views, that certainly would include Clinton.
Richardson's seat will apparently be at the head of the Department of Commerce.
And let me get this straight: You didn't like Hillary so much that you campaigned for Obama against her, but because he is nominating her for a Cabinet post, you are so mad at him that you wish you had supported Hillary? Did I get that right?
I agree with most of the post but I haven't heard any reliable sources say that Obama actually has offered Clinton a job.
Do you suspect that it is all a Clinton power play through the media?
That would be like them.
Actually I kind of suspect a version of that -- not that it is ALL a Clinton power play, but that they are the ones who have been pushing the story and trying to create a situation of inevitability before Obama had decided. Think about it - Not very many leaks have come out of the Obama camp before.
I would rather see Clinton in a domestic policy role where her beliefs (as stated and voted) are closer to those Obama has espoused. I don't think she is the best person for State. She portrayed his idea of talking to enemies without preconditions as naive and dangerous. And she is seen as so pro-Israeli that it may make it difficult for her to win any confidence from Palestinians as a broker for peace.
Also foreigners (like Americans) were amused but horrified at her blatant, repeated, melodramatic lying about sniper fire in Bosnia and I actually think it is a negative for her in diplomacy. They expect that diplomats may be less than 100% truthful, but something as ridiculous as this looks like the person may be a pathological liar, and does not engender confidence. There was a high level of interest in this campaign, and this story was so wild and the visual evidence so contradictary, it was a natural to go viral on YouTube on top of being reported by news outlets, so unfortunately many people know about it and video has a long life.. I
Do you do conspiracy theories in your spare time?
Funny how everyone assumes that these leaks came from the Clinton camp. They've been sourced to the Obama camp, along with all the leaks about all the other potential nominees. Some of this may be strategy (in order to test the political winds without actually having to commit in case the public rejects the choice) and some of it is unapproved (which is why the Obama team has instituted a you-will-b
Oh, and for those who cite to the oft-repeated mantra that the Obama campaign had military-style discipline, I can point to at least three memos that were leaked back then. You'd be hearing about those kinds of breakdowns had his side lost.
How many elections has David Bromwich won?
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