Global Media Debate Hillary Selection

After a bitterly-fought primary campaign and something of a reconciliation during the general election -- with Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) campaigning on behalf of her one-time rival -- President-Elect Barack Obama has chosen Clinton to be his Secretary of State. Coming on the heels of an election that has captivated the world's imagination, it is unsurprising that many editorials worldwide offered their take on the pick.

Iran
Obama mixes up diplomacy with military force (Islamic Republic News Agency*): Will placing "a hawk at the head of the diplomatic apparatus" help repair America's international reputation?

Critics have questioned whether Obama would be able to guide U.S. foreign policy with a team of strong-willed veterans led by Clinton, his fierce rival during the long presidential primary campaign.

Israel
Team Obama (The Jerusalem Post): Obama's national security appointments were primarily reassuring, with Clinton in particular already a "trusted 'brand' " in Israel.

The lone discordant note was the appointment of Samantha Power to the relatively low-level job of assisting Clinton in preparing for her Senate confirmation hearings. Power has said that US military assistance to Israel should be redirected to the Palestinians; that Israel is a major human rights abuser, and that an international force should be sent to protect West Bank Palestinians.

Australia
How to control a pack of alpha dogs (The Australian): Obama's right-of-center national security team choices may augur "terrific disappointment" is in store for "his left-wing supporters."

Controlling the big beasts will be particularly hard in the cases of Clinton and [prospective National Economic Council head Larry] Summers. Foreign ministers, especially, tend to be most successful when they are extremely close to their heads of government, as Downer was with Howard, and as the immensely formidable Colin Powell famously was not with Bush. Foreign interlocutors want to know that a secretary of state speaks authoritatively for his government, that his (or her) boss will cash any cheque he or she writes.

China
Obama's national security team faces tough challenge (People's Daily*): "Public opinion" suggests Obama's nominations will make a "powerful team" -- but what about Clinton in particular?

[...] there was much controversy over the nomination of Hillary for she had criticized some of Obama's foreign policies, and she and her husband, former Democratic [P]resident Clinton[,] had a conflict of interest in overseas donations and lobbying. However, the conflict was later solved as Hillary made some concessions.

United Kingdom
Obama gambles on Hillary Clinton (Financial Times): Has Obama selected "competent and effective lieutenants" with his national security picks? Almost certainly, in the case of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and prospective National Security Advisor General James Jones. But what about Clinton?

[...] the main question is whether Mrs Clinton can subordinate not just her opinions but also her political ambitions to making the Obama administration a success. That must be in doubt. Her husband's financial entanglements and irrepressible flair for scandal are further potential pitfalls. In weighing all this and choosing her regardless, Mr Obama has taken quite a risk -- one that, in our view, is difficult to justify.

* State-owned and/or state-controlled publication.

Comments

[fayemac]

If you noticed almost all of these countries had a good time with our country in the last 8 yrs. Now with Clinton I think she is going to make them pony up to the table and be real allies. That scares them to death. Take for example Australia: Bigest hawks during the war but did they really help us during it? What did they send: 1800 troops and then pulled out 1000. Almost all who were on this post have the same record, so I dont want to hear what they think is to hawkish until they get on board and really start to help with the messes they helped start.

[Klimb]

Hillary will do what is right...I think we are afraid b/c she will be the SoS that we/ world already know about: we know both her good and bad, negative and positive, competent and non-competent sides. I think it shall be well btn PE Obama and SoS Hillary.

[duze]

What's wrong with someone the world doesn't know. Albright and Rice were not household names and they were exceptional SOS's. Hillary on the other hand is know and mostly disrespected. Nothing but drama, everyone can see she'll promote her own agenda, and now the international community is saying so. Everyone should feel comfortable abouy this nominee, but most people are not. Can't figure out why the Obama team can't understand what everyone else is saying. The Democratic Party is larger than Hillary and Bill Clinton. It's time they left the building.

[britethere]

Thought we were going to change the way the world sees us. Missed opportunity

[Hawka]

We're fine, whose in charge in the end and the one people will turn too? Obama, he asks and we shall receive from the rest of the world.

[zaz33]

I can't think of any vote or anything Hillary has said that would convince me she was anything but a hawk.

With special interests pushing for more wars, we could be headed for a rough and expensive ride.

The majority of Americans don't want corporate motivated wars against third world countries.

Democratic countries are supposed to respect the will of the people.

What happened???

[texasaggie]

Good observations, zaz33. What happened? Well, since before our secession from Britain, we have had our problems with ethnic cleansing and enslavement of brown people, but I would look to James Madison, who said:

"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.
"Political Observations" (1795-04-20); also in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. IV, p. 491

Beyond that, maybe look at the control of our monetary policy (money itself) by a private bank that lets us borrow our money (that they created out of the debt of others) with interest paid by the tax payer. Our government is completely owned. Pitch forks anyone?

[IGTV]

I'm a fan of that quote. It should recited daily by school children and politicians.

[struwwwel]

I am not so sure of that. Sen. H.R. Clinton may be a hawk, or may be not. But she certainly is an ambitious politician who would do (almost?) anything to get to where she wants to be. So if she wants to become POTUS she must at least ACT hawkish or find herself exposed to all sorts of sexist accusations of being a dove. Take her rather unbalanced comment to (Fox) O'Reilly's question about Iran going nucular ;-) on Israel, that under her command the US would have to "obliterate" Iran. She may ACT as a hawk to give the impression of being a tough girl but this doesn't necessarily mean that she really IS a hawk. My point: She could not risk, ever, to be perceived as being soft.

But now the times have changed, and she no longer needs nor will be allowed to display this overly hawkish image. "The buck stops with me" said Prez-elect Obama. I think she will do just fine.

[UltraClassic]

Better a hawk than a weenie. We had weenies during the Carter years. I don't think Obama will make the same mistakes that Peanut Head made.

[Coinyer101]

she is a divisive choice for sec of state, and not what is needed to restore our moral standing in the world. her position was an obvious 'pay-off', and i doubt i'll ever agree with it. like every1 else , only time will tell. too bad we really can't afford 'wait and see', right now. bush has done so much damage, only a bold choice would have sent the right message. power would have been real change. others were better qualified as well.

[FCBarca]

Terrible, terrible, terrible...Hillary is among the worst choices possible for such an important position...Stay tuned, it will get ugly

[dizmo4]

The more thought I put into this Hillary Clinton selection as Secretary of State, the better idea it appears to be. She's a perceived hawk and by filling his national security apparatus with perceived hawks ( note that there is a huge distinction between a hawk and a neo-con hawk), Obama probably buys himself some time before a nation like Iran decides to "test" him. It also gives him a better chance of actually moving towards normalized relations with Iran.

[texasaggie]

What is this "huge distinction between a hawk and a neo-con hawk" that we are supposed to note? Ugh.

[bayside]

Silly me, I woulld have thought a person who is diplomatic, doesnt anger easy, has the skill to help people get along, would be the choice for this job. I believe Hillary said she would not even talk to iran..Silly me ...

[SEQUOIABISON]

The important thing to remember is, that Hillary is not sitting in the oval office and is not the policy maker.

We liberal democrats all agree that Hillary displayed hawkish views in the lead up to the Iraq war, which is why we supported Obama in the primaries.

Thank goodness she is not in charge, we will soon have a leader at the helm who is competent, intelligent and opposed the invasion of Iraq, Hillary can be very helpful and extremely diplomatic if she carries out the policies of the President Elect, which I am sure she will, with class, elegance and conviction.

[harriscrl3]

My prediction Hilary will be an EXTENSION of Obama and how people feel about Obama is what will matter not whether or not Hilary is liked. She is not implementing her policies she is not running her own country she is IMPLEMENTING someone elses vision.

So if she goes someplace where the idea of Obama as President is a good thing she will be WELCOMED. Hilary's international star power will NEVER Supersede Barack Obama's. Maybe if Hilary was SOS to someone like Bush it would be a different story. IF some countries are foolish enough to think HIlary is calling the shots they are entitled to their own foolishness but its NOT REALITY.

Carol