Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? Yes!

Ever since Barack Obama won the primary the question has been asked, "What will Hillary do?"

The assumption has been that President-elect Barack Obama would offer her some significant position for several reasons:

• He respects her intelligence and grit.


• It is better to have her on the inside than on the outside, in keeping with Doris Kearns Goodwin's portrait of Lincoln in "A Team of Rivals."


• She deserves it, having been the good soldier and campaigned for him vigorously in the last two months.


• Her supporters continue to care passionately about her and expect her to be elevated to top position

There are only two jobs that he could actually offer her that she could accept. One would be the Supreme Court, but she has already made it clear that she is not interested and it is easy to understand why. If she accepted a seat on the court she would have to become a political nun, removed from the politics that she relishes. She is a public person who wants to remain engaged in the hurly burly of politics.

The other would be Secretary of State, one of the top three cabinet posts. She could not accept anything less, like Secretary of Health and Human Services or Ambassador to the UN. She has moved far beyond those more circumscribed roles.

Moving from the Senate to the State Department would not likely entail the loss of a Senate seat because New York Governor David Paterson would name a Democrat to fill the vacancy.

As a former Hillary supporter I would be delighted to see Hillary Clinton as the next Secretary of State. And, I know that thousands of women, not only those who voted for her, would agree. In just a short period of time, the position of Secretary of State has been filled by two capable women: Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice. It seems only fitting for President-elect Obama to follow this tradition, but not only because she's a woman, but because she is the best person for the job. She has traveled widely as First Lady, established good relationships with world leaders, and gained universal respect. And unlike Sarah Palin, throughout her primary campaign, no one questioned whether she was qualified to be President. Surely, then she is qualified to be Secretary of State.

This was originally posted at Chelsea Green.

Madeleine M. Kunin is the former Governor of Vermont and was the state's first woman governor. She served as Ambassador to Switzerland for President Clinton, and was on the three-person panel that chose Al Gore to be Clinton's VP. She is the author of Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead from Chelsea Green Publishing.

Comments

[dairyair]

If I wanted another Clinton White House I would've voted for Clinton. I did not, I wanted something new, now all we get is Clinton's everywhere. What CHANGE????

[lafrance]

as a woman, I don't care if the Sec. of State is male or female. I want the best person.
Which is why I supported obama for president since the beginning.
Whether that is Hillary or Richardson or whoever else who gets the position, to me true equality is when the best person is picked rather than based on gender, ect.
I don't doubt that Hillary herself would make a fine Sec. of state.
My biggest concern is not Hillary but, her husband. To keep him out of trouble and out of Obama's hair is what the real problem is. And that has always been the problem even in the primary. It was never Hillary that was the problem. It was Bill. and he is still the problem. I have no doubt if Hillary does not get this position it will be because of Bill.
I do hope nothing turns up on his end that will again keep her from achieving more.

[Wendy-EH]

Christopher Hitchens got it right this evening when he said the Obama team is more comfortable with Hillary inside the tent ---- out; than outside the tent ----- in. I think that is what's going on here.
She's got good points and negatives too......m­uch elaborated on here by all.

None the less wouldn't it be a nice change of pace to get a SOS who can speak Other languages that may come in handy?? Mandarin, Farsi, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu!! for Pete sake doesn't anyone over there in the State Dept have any skills? Posing for photo ops. is not a useful skill.
How about that for a change.

[Mildmannered]

Just because you are qualified to be President does not mean that you are qualified to be SoS.

[Mildmannered]

There is no "tradition" to have women as SoS.

[Anastasia]

I'm glad someone thinks so. (It's been one of those weeks)

[vermont]

Obama won, in part, because he had the good sense to use Clinton advisors, and because the Clintons campaigned for him. Which certainly puts paid to him 'distancing himself'. Hillary Rodham Clinton is more than qualified. GREAT choice!!! Well done Obama team!!

[UNCLEJOE]

This Hillary assumption was obviously foisted on Obama by Clinton surrogates. It has not been Obama's style to leak his plans, and it is inane to believe Obama suggested that He wanted Hillary in his cabinet.
Hillary has a felony case coming up within weeks that would automaticlly illiminate her qualifications. However , if she could pressure Obama to appoint her before the case comes up, then Hillary will automatically have diplomatic immunity to be be trtied while she is in Obama's cabinet.
Furthermore, Obama needs the Clintons hanging around the Oval Office like he needs Bush advising him.
Chirstopher Hitchens is on point when he throws out the question 'Why would a conservative like Kissinger advocate that Hillary would be an excellent SOS?

[Anastasia]

With all due respect this isn't a women's issue.

Since there have already been two women SoS's, Madeline Albright and Condi Rice, no barriers will be broken, no symbolic gesture is needed.

[Mildmannered]

you are correct, anastasia

[miriada]

what? we're gonna bomb Belgrade into stone age again? women being SoS did not help to curb the aggression - on the opposite, It seemed increased. Hillary has an old luggage and old agenda. I like her as a person though. But her politicking is old. No, don't see the real change I hoped...

[HillaryGoAway]

Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State. NOT!!!!!

[MyTake]

Whoa, hold on there, Obama is getting compromised here.

Has anyone checked with Her Royal Highness Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild about Hillary getting this appointment? She supported HRC, then she vilified Obama then she supported McCain -- and she is well connected with the British. If HRC goes to London on business and is invited to a private function by The Lady, I am guessing that The Lady will go after U.S. state secrets to pass onto her banking husband who will make even more wealth as a result of this intelligence gathering.

I think Obama should appoint a person of Chinese descent and able to speak Chinese languages. The reason is that China is set to overtake the U.S. as the foremost world power in the next 20 years and the U.S. better devote a lot of their State time into converting the Communist administration to some form of democracy. If China gains as many nuclear weapons as the U.S., secures a low orbit presence and raises the technology equipment of its already 2.5 million man army .... well you get the message.

Clinton is not up to this task of dealing with England and China! Obama should look elsewhere.

[Mildmannered]

If Hillary had just told the truth about the "Bosnian sniper fire" incident she would likely be the nominee. For something as dangerous and unusual as that especially when your daughter is involved, it is not a matter of forgetfulness. It is a matter of truthfulness.

[KarateKid]

"And, I know that thousands of women, not only those who voted for her, would agree."

Why is this being made about "women" again? No one argues about her intelligence, but if Obama wants real change, there has to be transparency. If Bill Clinton refuses to reveal his financial backers, especially the ones overseas, I don't see how this can pass. Besides, just what is her experience in foreign affairs? Eight years as First Lady?

I have questions about her willingness to be subordinate, and to work with people. Look what she did with the failed health care initiative. Hillary is all about Hillary, and will she try to become the President of the U.S. outside of the U.S.?

I'm also suspicious that Republicans are stepping up and commenting positively on this possibility.

[Petunia39]

Don't be "suspicious" be "certain". They are commenting on this because in many ways, she will be as hawkish as Bush on Foreign Policy. They love this choice.

[KarateKid]

If she is appointed, her confirmation hearing will be must see TV and I think there will be fireworks from the other side of the aisle.

[exotic]

hillary should not be sec of state

[exotic]

hillary is a warmonger. no, obama don't do it. she will create the hill/bill foreign policy.