Smart Power and the New Secretary of State

Yes, I know -- "She lost. Get over it!" That's exactly what she did. She got over it and is moving on far more quickly than many of her critics. The "robust diplomacy" she described this morning, on her first day as Secretary of State, is exactly what she is suited to deliver. Only someone who truly welcomes debate, embraces challenge, and seeks advice can further America's interest by appreciating the interests of those the Bush administration ignored, dismissed or threatened.

Smart power is not soft power, though it includes that. It is not simply genteel collaboration or compromise, but a mix of those and street fighting. It's strategic and far from myopic. It is the power we need now to end divisiveness among countries that could, given half a chance, work together for peace.

Smart power in the service of the robust diplomacy Clinton intends to implement is about listening, learning what the other side truly wants and needs rather than reliance on assumptions. Smart power disarms by violating expectations -- agreeing when that is the last thing expected and standing firm when required. At the heart of smart power is negotiation. -- not alienation.

Clinton called this morning for a sense of openness and, like President Obama, invited us to contribute. She wants to send a clear and unequivocal message that she is part of a team and that is how she will lead. Divisiveness has left "the building."

She is a master of balance. She tempered optimism with joking today. "So far we're thrilled" summed up her awareness that this is just the beginning of a long, rocky road. She knows there are those anxious to see her fail. This time, however, her failure would be ours as well. And Clinton is not about to let that happen.

She didn't want anyone to depart after her speech this morning relaxed and thinking, "Oh, good," as if somehow her becoming Secretary of State meant the battle was over. Just as she raised our expectations, she told us the job ahead is going to be hard.

And isn't that the epitome of her skill and talent? She just doesn't quit. She is often ready for the next struggle even before the dust of the last one has settled.

"Be of good cheer," she told us. "Be of strong heart," she said as one who has been. And "Don't grow weary."

We have watched candidates Obama, Clinton and Biden battle to become their party's presidential nominee. They got past their disappointment and anger to come together -- to direct their energies in the service of the same purpose. They deserve immense credit.

No matter your feelings about Hillary Clinton, she is smart power personified in the company now of others of that same ilk. There's a sense that this woman's contribution to the country is only just now getting fully underway.

Dr. Reardon also blogs at bardscove.

Comments

[mjc]

Hillary will provide the experience and the important contacts that Obama needs, and that she thought, along with many of her supporters, that he lacked. She cares deeply about this country, an emotional and rational experience that many of her detractors here on HuffPo and elsewhere couldn't or didn't want to see. Her knowledge of issues, foreign and domestic, will make Obama's work a lot easier and give him even more confidence that he can turn this country around as well as certain political problems in the world.

[rixter1965]

It's nice to see that responses to this posting do not include the requisite Hillary-bashing so prevalanet on HuffPo (by Obama supporters who just cannot get past the primary contest)! While (now) Secretary of State Clinton is no more flawless than any other politician...

(1) Voting for Obama meant endorsing his (potential­/eventual) choices for White House staff and candidates for Cabinet positions. He chose Hillary -- emblematic of the very "change in Washington" that he espoused throughout the primary and general-election campaigns. If your candidate (and I, too, voted for Obama) chose Hillary and left the primaries behind, should not Obama's supporters?

(2) Have any Hillary-bashers ever talked to Republican­s/conserva­tives/refl­exive Hillary-haters from upstate New York? I have. And they were amazed that when she arrived in their cities, towns, and villages, she had mastered the minutiae of their areas, lives, problems, and goals -- leading one conservative Republican farmer that I know to exclaim that he "loved Hillary and respected her."

(3) Those who pile on to her about her career being linked to her husband... What woman's is not? She was his wife, the mother of their daughter, and used her education and training while being a companion and helpmate to her husband. Is that not the very thing that feminists now say is a woman's challenge -- a path to all those roles? Is that not the very thing that conservatives espouse -- "for better or worse" despite a very public exposure of infidelity?

[DC]

She has the smarts and skill. I hope she shows the honesty to do the right thing and no longer feels the needs to pander to her paymasters.

[loubque]

I find it funny that all the naysayers (sic?) are not flocking and tearing this post apart...I guess because they realize they really can't. Now that the woman (said with as much venom as the bigots spat out her name) isnt running for top dog people remember that they actually like the Clintons.

[Kathleen Reardon - Huffpost Blogger]

Loubque: That could be it.

[PennP]

People who don't like the Clintons just plain don't like the Clintons and probably never will. I am one of them. I was not inspired to leave a brickbat because, although it may not have been her intention, Ms. Reardon has written a compelling argument for giving the new SoS a chance to do her job, and--dare I say it?--excel. For her own sake, for ours, and for the rest of the world.

[Ergon]

I think she'll make a great SOS

[camper65]

With all of her experience in foreign affairs, and her considerable charm, she should be a smash.

[Gunga-Din]

The Maxwell Smart Power is a good doctrine

[lgillooly]

I totally agree. Although we have so many challenges ahead,I feel a sense of tremendous relief. The Obama Administration seems to want to really Govern for the betterment of our Country and not just make Political points and maintain power to serve a few.

[overd0g1]

Or at least the betterment of former Clinton administration employees.