Obama's Team of Rivals

If Barack Obama asks Hillary Clinton to become Secretary of State, it would be a brilliantly audacious political move. Choosing Clinton would elate her fans, soothing any lingering bruised feelings, and bring some major star power to the State Department. Clinton would possess real clout and, like Obama, serve as a kind of ambassador to the world. It would also show that Obama, like Abraham Lincoln, who, as the historian Doris Kearns Goodwin showed in her book "Team of Rivals," is unafraid of tapping powerful cabinet members.

But would it be good for American foreign policy? Would it be consistent with the kind of change Obama promised on the campaign trail? Clinton's record is markedly different than Obama's. She supported the Iraq War. In 2006, she supported legalizing the torture of an individual who knows about an "imminent threat" to millions of American, but backpedaled on the idea in September 2007. In April 2008, she said the U.S. could "totally obliterate" Iran if it threatened Israel with nuclear weapons. In essence, she decided to run as a foreign policy hawk for president, figuring that she couldn't run the risk of appearing "soft" on foreign policy. Clinton represents, or has represented, what I would call the Lieberman wing of the party -- Democratic neocons based at places like the Progressive Policy Institute and the Democratic Leadership Council. They don't believe the Iraq War was itself a mistake, but that it was simply conducted ineptly by the Bush administration.

Already there are splits in the Obama camp between those who believe that the United States needs to push for democracy and human rights abroad (Russia or China) and those who think that Obama should focus on limiting America's commitments abroad. Choosing Clinton would be a big victory for the first camp.

Comments

[MoistvonLipwig]

This may be a case of keeping your enemy closer. In the Senate, Hillary could be a thorn in Obama's side. It is a real possibility that the she would push not just war, but Clintonite policies like NAFTA that I expect Obama to tear out or drastically amend.

As SOS she would answer to the President of find her self out of a job.

[Kane]

Are you considering Hillary Clinton?

It is one of those rare questions in Washington where any response becomes a story. We saw how this hand is played by the media during the VP selection process. If the response to the question is "no", then the media portrays it as a monumental snub of Clinton. If the response is "yes", then the media gets to fantasize and spectulate and diminish all others being considered. Even if the answer is "no comment", it still allows the media to speculate.

We've seen this movie before, folks.

[clbrune]

There are some very weird comments here. The fact is, Clinton would probably excel at any cabinet position she took.

What's telling here, though, is that the author is painting Clinton as some kind of Obama/Democrat enemy. And most of the commenters paint her with a similar brush.

It's sad, really. I suppose if she were to assume Sec. of State, it would provide Obama some cover for not actually getting us out of Iraq quickly ("Blame Clinton!!", riiight?).

[MPeter]

Absolutely agreed. It would still be an Obama administration. Which means, Obama-Biden Foreign Policy with a moderate input by Hilly, if she Secretary of State, the State Dept and input from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. So, Hillary would do just fine.

[ThoughtAboutIt]

Bill Clinton is an international lobbyist for hire. Hillary would be privy to very sensitive information and via Bill be positioned to benefit from it. In addition one of her main areas of attack on Obama in the primaries was his view of international relations. BAD MOVE.

[FogBelter]

Excellent observations Jacob. We have to remember that Secretary of State is, by far, the most important Cabinet position at this time in our history. With all the damage the Bush Administration has done to the United State's international image and the ineptitude displayed by Rice, due in part to Cheney's interference, Obama can not afford to turn the office of Secretary of State into a Ceremonial position. I have no problem with the "Team of Rivals" dynamic, but they need to be Highly Qualified Rivals.

Also, I don't think the DLC should be allowed a return to power in the Obama Administration, for many of the reasons you point out, but also because the Clinton Administration ( that gets credit for a booming economy that was based on the DotCom fraud and the Sunbeam model) with the DLC at the helm, wasn't a departure from the Reagan-Bush41 agenda but, in very real terms, a "New Democrat" version of the same agenda.

We need to navigate our current troubles with both eyes open and dispel the myth that Bush43 is responsible for all ill. The DLC, despite its entrenched infrastructure, is not the solution, it's part of the problem. Putting the DLC in back in power would be like following the authoritarian Doctor to the submerged bow of the capsized Poseidon. Obama needs to be careful.

[truthmachine]

No Senators! People are so clueless.

[northstar11]

the incumbent in this position is condi rice.

[captbill]

Hello?

Does not anyone realize that most of our foreign relations problems nowadays come from the Arab world? Keeping in mind, the Arabs have NO respect for women. Why do we insist on making the problem more difficult, trying to make Arabas negotiate with women, for whom they have no respect. I don't think trying to force equal rights on them at this time is wise. Let's choose a man, preferably someone with lots of experience in the area , and an affluent Arabic speaker.
Let's just do the opposite of whatever w. did, think?

[Loonsounds]

I like this post and I don't like it. I like it because it makes me think that you are probably right. I don't like it because it makes me go against the idea that I had before which tells me that it is a wonderful idea to put her in this position.

[live by the golden rule]

you meant fluent, not affluent.

I agree that a fluent Arabic speaker would be a terrific idea.

But the idea of not appointing a woman based on your view of Arab culture is a terrible idea.
Senator Clinton is greatly admired by many women around the world, including in the Arab countries, building from her speech in China.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm

[Bonobo]

Bigoted, ignorant, and wrong, but Hillary's still a bad choice.

[captbill]

Hello?

Does not anyone realize that most of our foreign relations problems nowadays come from the Arab world? Keeping in mind, the Arabs have NO respect for women. Why do we insist on making the problem more difficult, trying to make Arabas negotiate with women, for whom they have no respect. I don't think trying to force equal rights on them at this time is wise. Let's choose a man, preferably someone with lots of experience in the area , and an affluent Arabic speaker.
Let's just do the opposite of whatever w. did, think?

[Pupadup4oBama]

That is the wrong attitude.
If these people (the Arabs/Saudis/etc.) are to become a part of the global community, they need to get over their aversions to women REAL fast.
So, therefore having a woman as SoS would be the BEST thing and not just because she's a woman, but because Hillary is one smart cookie.
Condi was a smart cookie too, but she paid her allegiances to the wrong man - Obama is the RIGHT man at the right time.

[Unsui]

I agree with many of the comments on this issue. The Clinton/Lieberman camp would define Obama's Middle East policy and signal the Arab world that their hopes for him were baseless. I really, really hope he doesn't do this.
It is disconcerting to see all the Clintonistas in his economic brain-trust (where are some original thinkers in this line-up? Maybe Paul Krugman, Joseph Stiglitz, Jeffrey Sachs, James Galbraith, Leo Hindery, Clyde Prestowitz, Charlene Barshefsky, C. Fred Bergsten, Adam Posen, Robert Kuttner, Robert Samuelson, Alan Murray, William Bonvillian, Doug & Heidi Rediker, Bernard Schwartz, Tom Gallagher, Sheila Bair, Sherle Schwenninger, and Kevin Phillips should have a spot on Obama's roster?) and Hillary as SOS would make it nearly a sweep for a rollback to the Clinton Era. Not a good thing, in my view.

[elsrks]

i like many on your list--
Obama should also bring many from i.e.--The Nation into the mix--Naomi Klein, Jeremy Scahill, John Nichols, Katrina Vanden Heuvel...such knowledgable people that could widen the (progressive) perspective and conversation.
ACADEMICS/scholars around the country in academia!( ie J.Stiglitz!)
What about the WH giving a access to journalists like Amy Goodman, Sy Hersch..
AND what about Samantha Powers?? bring her back!!
Nader?? Ron Paul?..
there are so many good people! it would be terrific to infuse new blood into this administration-- not just continue the narrowness, incest and sameness that has defined Washington for so long.

[nabrum]

You people are missing the "Bad Dog, Good Dog" theory here.

Hillary could be the "Bad Dog" in that she is more hawkish as seen by the Irans of the world, thus letting Obama be the "Good Dog" and getting what he wants from these countries.

There was a story on Rachelle last night on how Iran is all of a sudden saying they don't want dialogue with the US now that Obama MIGHT be willing to do that. It was a ruse to the world so they could call Bush & the US the Great Satan. Now the Iranian hardliners are backing off talking, and are losing face in the world, but trying to keep a hardline grip on their people. Of course you'll never hear about this on FOX from Hannity.

[ThePrisoner]

Of course she'll take if if offered. It puts her 4th in line to be the president after Biden, Pelosi, and Byrd's successor. A girl can dream, can't she?

[Beamreach]

I think the only folks that think this team of rivals idea is good are Doris Kearns Goodwin and the Republicans. I am not impressed by any of the names floated out there. How about some progressives? What happened to that idea?

[Petunia39]

I Agree!

[paixa3]

From Europe, my view is that progressives, as you name them, are very few and far between in the USA.

Hillary is quite clever, I hope that Mr. Obama finds a good use for her mind in his administration.

[Faithtoo]

Looks like it might be a done deal at this point but if the jury is still out then I put my vote in for Bill Richardson or John Kerry. I don't trust Hillary to promote Obama's plan. I see her jockeying for position in the 2012 elections.

[ChelseaC]

Gov.Bill Richardson! YES!!!

[kylennblack]

I'd love for her to have a position somewhere in his administration (health care) but Secretary of State? Uh, no. She got a little too cozy with McCain during the election and no matter what the Clintons and Obamas say there's a definite chill between them and I have a feeling she'd find little, needle-y, ways to undermine him.

[delcee]

I'd rather see her as a Supreme Court Justice.

[paixa3]

I thought only JUDGES qualified to be appointed, but I certainly could be wrong about this point.

[bosse]

No any lawyer can. And even non lawyers have been judges( Not in Supreme court! a joke)
But Hillary will take headlines, and if her husband follows around a usually American custom, it will look ridiculous, and all will be calling him President Clinton!
She is better of as a Judge ( she wont take it) or health secretary. However Dr Dean is better suited for that position, and is not even mentioned since Rahm, do not like him!
Even better, if other Senators give her a committee chair.
Yes already too many Clintonians, some of whom are great choices, if they do what is best for the country. Experience is the reason, they are being considered, as in the past administartions.

[Jamchinadian]

So many second-guessing over something which hasn't happened, and which we don't know whether it will happen. Bear in mind that if she becomes SoS, Hillary's job will be to execute Obama's Agenda - not her own!

[Loonsounds]

Right.

[Bonobo]

Better to protest before, than after. Which, I believe, was the essential difference between Obama and Clinton on Iraq.

[Dredd]

Secretary of HEW is the spot for Hillary. Not Secretary of State.