In Defense of Hillary Clinton

So Bill Clinton has coughed up the names of the donors to his presidential library. It's about time, but there don't seem to be any surprises, which isn't surprising. Countries that have been less than passionately interested in promoting democracy and the better the state of the world such as Saudi Arabia are the leading donors. The list reveals that Bill Clinton has behaved exactly as he did as president. He's been running a shakedown operation. In essence, the former president has been, and remains, an influence peddler.

But does this cast a dim light on Hillary as Secretary of State? No, it does not. Undoubtedly, her detractors will seize upon the list to argue that she is preemptively hostage to foreign governments that have donated to the library out of motives other than simply to increase the size of its book holdings. But this doesn't stand up to scrutiny. It assumes that Hillary is simply an appendage of her husband.

But it seems far more likely that this is her moment to outstrip him rather than to cater to his interests. Imagine Hillary accomplishing what Bill could not -- a Middle East peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis. As Secretary of State, she will have a host of opportunities to make her mark, to emerge even more fully from the shadow cast by Bill. It's also the case that with Hillary as Secretary of State, Bill will have to practice full disclosure on his financial activities -- something he has been loath to do.

FInally, there is this to ponder. With the financial crisis and the collapse in oil prices, the shady customers that Bill Clinton has relied upon to fund his library may take a second look before they lavish further donations upon him.

Bottom line: Hillary is in the clear.

Comments

[DinkSinger]

I heard Mark Whitaker defend Bill Clinton on MSNBC with an absurd statement to the effect he couldn't have expected his wife to be Secretary of State when he accepted these contributions. Of course not, at the time Bill expected she would be President of the United States. As many commentators point out she can now recuse herself when the State Department deals with issues that provide an appearance of conflict of interest. What would she have done as President? A President can't recuse herself. By nominating Obama, instead of Hillary Clinton who promised that this information would be released only after she was nominated, the Democratic Party save our country from major international embarrassment.

[PennP]

Hillary in the clear? I don't think so. Try adding "Hillary Clinton" to each of the following terms and see what you get: Chatwal. Tata Consultancy Services. "Easy Bill" and WJC Investments, LP LLC. Senate India Caucus (the in-house lobbying group Hillary co-founded) and USINPAC. What I see makes a good argument for "appendage," of the self-dealing variety.

[standard]

"[T]his doesn't stand up to scrutiny. It assumes that Hillary is simply an appendage of her husband."

Thank goodness that's cleared up: There was no "co-presidency" after all. If so, then the real question now is "What are Mrs. Clinton's attitudes toward Saudi Arabia, Qatar and all the other countries that have donated so generously to her husband's organization?"

"Bottom line: Hillary is in the clear."

Or, one might reasonably conclude, although we've been escorted through several arguments congenial to the idea that she's in the clear, we really don't have enough information, as yet, to decide.

[partyofone]

For people interested in high standards of integrity, something that has been lacking during the Bush-Clinton years, it is not only conflict of interest that is to be avoided, it is THE APPEARENCE of CONFLICT of INTEREST. The Clintons have sold influence to the hightest bidders to gain office, power and influence that they have then SOLD to the highest bidders to build a mega million dollar personal fortune.

Because it is now in her self interest, Hillary wants us to believe that she is independent, her own woman, after two decades of telling us she and Bill are professional parterners and never make decisions with the the counsel of the other.

Spin, distortion, obfiscation, lies.

[fayemac]

Lets see, the countrys been looted for trillions of dollars by fat cats that will never see a jail cell. You write a story talking about Bills "shakedown" of Saudi Arabia and other countries that want to help charities around the world and you have the nerve to call it influence pedling. Where were you when Katrina hit? I should say where was your money when Katrina hit? I know where Bill was and I know where his charities were. So next time you just feel like ranting maybe you should set your sights on something substantial like the " Looting of America".

[ohmercy]

perfect.

Thanks- God I get sick of the "taint mongers" around here--- actually not this coliumn though- at least he gets that HRC is not "the Clintons."
Anyomne who has bothered to research her would know that- she has often disagreed with and voted against her husband's stands and interests- It is well know that in the WH behind closed doors she was very open about disagreeing with him on many issues though in the position of First Lady, just like those in the Cabinet, one does not publicly challenge the Presidents authority. The hashing out of policy goes on within the department and in cabinet meetings- and by all accounts they can get pretty heated and very tough. Or in Obama's words "mix it up." When they come out in public it doesn't matter how much they disagreed in the meetings, they support the President.
If people think it will be any different with Obama they will be disappointed- that isn't to say there won't be greater transparency, there will- but high level thrashing will not be televised.

But hey, the "know it alls" about HRC that comment here are too invested in their "us against them" divisive and frozen politics as usual rhetoric and mind set.

pffftttt!

[exotic]

wedere, great post!

[exotic]

wderer, well said!

[exotic]

wderer, I could not have said it any better. Somebody help us!

[exotic]

God help us........­......

[Cesaria]

She mostly ran as an appendage to Bill.

[Wigelah]

Not true. And Sexist.

[Cesaria]

As far as I saw it, true and not sexist at all. The many different faces of Hillary were on full display during the primary fight. Simple as that.

[rbenjamin]

You don't have to assume that Hillary is Bill's appendage to be worried by the donor list. All you have to assume is that Bill has extraordinary access to Hillary and that she discusses issues with him. Not unreasonable assumptions given that they are married and have been political confidants most of their adult lives. The Saudi's etc, have their feet in the door, let's hope Hillary has good sales resistance and that Bill doesn't try all that hard. The donors probably feel they are the aggrieved party - they were aiming at a future POTUS, all they got was a stinkin' Secretary of State, serving at reduced pay mind you. After 8 years of Cheney, on leave from Haliburton. Oh, the horror!

[mredder4]

Indeed, one could assume from all the chatter that Hillary is somehow subject to Bill's approval for her own decisions.

How many people would change their position on any issue because their spouse accepted money from someone that is somehow related to that position? That's akin to a man renting his wife out to the highest bidder to make some cash and the wife saying "Sure, whatever." How many of you would say "sure, whatever" and how many of you would say "My position is my position, and giving anything to my spouse will not change that"?

As has been pointed out, who cares where the money came from when it is then being directed to charity relief on some of the worst issues of our times in the worst parts of the world, that need that money most? I'd personally love to see Bill Clinton get back even more of that Saudi oil money that we were shaken down for this summer.

The very idea that someone in a foreign government could think to look across a negotiating table at Hillary Clinton and imply that a donation to Bill's foundation should influence her decision is laughable.

[babymonster]

There are many ways to hide money in non-profits and charities. There are many different questionable things about the Clintons that I am sure you know about, but won't bring up. What p.r. firm do you work for?

[stell]

LOL

[dayala]

like I said in another topic...
"much ado about nothing"

Hillary is her own woman looking to make her own legacy, the only influential peddling she'll be doing is the one Obama tells her to do.

[partyofone]

Hilary is about Hillary. She will use Obama if he let's her.

[jhamm1]

" Imagine Hillary accomplishing what Bill could not -- a Middle East peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis. As Secretary of State, she will have a host of opportunities to make her mark, to emerge even more fully from the shadow cast by Bill. "

With her warlike propensity for threatening "obliteration", flipping off the UN, opposing international treaties, and favoring military intervention as a first resort to every political dispute? Don't bet on it.

What does it take for the likes of you to actually do your research for a change?

[partyofone]

it is a sad fact that a a feminst America woman lecturing cultually sexist Middle Eastern men about how evil they are is not likely to bring peace to the middle east.

Hillary failed BADLY in her effort to lead health care reform because she was egotistical, uncompromising, dishonest, and vindictive. These are the personal traits she brings to SoS, along with the huge conflicts of interest that have made her and Bill mega millionaires.

[Melizzy]

Awwww, how cute and naive. Surely they don't really expect any favors in return for those donations, and surely Obama wasn't strongarmed into putting her into the SoS position. Nah. Because her temperament is such a good fit for someone who needs to negotiate sensitive matters with powerful foes. Google Hillary Clinton images. I don't see a tactile negotiator in the pics. I see a reactive, narcissistic, corrupt power-monger. But that's just me.

[ESerafina42]

Yes, it IS just you. And if you think Obama was "strong-armed" into appointing Hillary, that just shows what a low opinion you have of HIM.

[wderer]

Well of course he was--somebody made a deal there for some reason we don't know yet. And this is most definitely a blatant conflict of interest-a­bsolutely!­!! If you think Mrs. Clinton is just standing back while her hubby does his own thing you are mistaken - she is into his deals and money-grabbing to the hilt. And yes, I did have a great opinion of Obama - but that was BEFORE he hired back practically the entire Clinton White House and now has become nothing more than a figurehead for the Clinton agenda! Meanwhile they stand back & laugh their heads off while we accept Monica, impeachment, now conflicts of interest that could get us into war somewhere. I had such hope for "change", now all we've got is a Clinton 3rd term. When did Obama lose confidence that HE could be the most important person in the world. Watch--from Jan. 20 on, all we'll hear about on the news is Hillary, Bill and his interns...­I mean interests.­...Obama will be just a speck on the Clintons self-promo­ting-never­-ending agenda. What a sad day for America when Obama backed up, stepped aside, and elected Hillary!!!!!!!!!!