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.
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"And, I know that thousands of women, not only those who voted for her, would agree. "
You sound as if you think the fact she is a woman is enough of a qualification alone.
Since when is Condi capable?
Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State. Noooooooooo!!!!!
I respect Hillary Clinton for her intelligence, her attention to detail, and her self-confidence. She is a role model for many women. Yet, even as a woman, when it was assumed in 2007 that she would be our next leader, I was not enthusiastic. Of course, I would have voted for her, but with the expectation that there would not be much change in foreign policy, an arena that really interests me. My problem with Hillary Clinton is specifically her foreign policy views. Which I see as diametrically opposed to the campaign for foreign policy change that Obama ran. Foreign policy is not her strength, period. I have seen many people refer to Hillary Clinton's popularity overseas. If anyone can provide data for that I would be very appreciative. My impression is that Obama is the one that was overwhelming popular internationally and that is so not only because of his impressive rhetoric, or because people were perplexed that the U.S. would elect anyone other than a white male to the highest office in the land, but specifically because he had from the start opposed the war in Iraq and because his tone in dealing with other countries favored dialogue over belligerence. He was a sigh of relief for people around the world. Hillary's bellicosity will undermine that. Don't do it O!!!!
First explain why one million dead Iraqis, the direct fault of Bush and the Senate who approved it, doesn't disturb you?
Why, why do Americans have no shred of contrition for this?
I completely disagree. I do not think she is the best person for the Secretary of State role I feel Bill Richardson is the most naturally skilled person for this position.
I think Hillary could accept many other positions and it is in her best interest because she does not have the seniority in the senate to play a big enough role in matters she would like to champion.
I think she would make an excellent Secretary of Health and Human Services. She can be a leader on healthcare reform working with congress and her role will be completely independent of her husband.
I feel that are too many conflicts of interest because of her ex-president husband or her to be Secretary of State.
Hillary Clinton is not a peace maker and should not be rewarded SOS because she campaigned for Obama. Obama would have won with or without her and he owes her nothing, nor does the American people. The SOS should be a peace maker, not a peace breaker. She divided the American people what would she do around the world? We need someone trustworthy and she has proven she is not. She and Bill are the most divisive people in politics. Hillary might do well in another position, but not one that should bring people together to bring peace to the world. The best person would be John Kerry.
In Obama we trust. Personally, I think Chuck Hagel would have been a better appointmen
The change we need requires rupture with the past not rehashing the brand names of very dubious reputation. We do not need this kind of change so that nothing changes.
HRC has some experience in focused on MIDDLE CLASS SOCIAL ISSUES and that is where she should be put to work!
I hope these feminists are not clamouring for Hillary Clinton to be made secretary of state just because she is a woman.The best person for the job should get nominated. Full stop. Is she the best person? I don´t think so, and I am also a woman.
Hillary is smart enough to know that she would have to support this administration. I did not like her
as a candidate but I believe this position would benefit us. Of course, we all have different opinions
and in the end it really matters what Obama chooses, but I can't say she is a bad choice.
Ms. Kunin, aren't you at least a little bit troubled about Senator Clinton's inability to put a lid on bitter infighting among staff members in her dysfunctional campaign organization? Is this not a clue as to what kind of leader she would be at State?
Bill Clinton is Hillary's albatross. It is a pity she did not divorce him long ago. I feel for her, because it was Bill Clinton who no doubt cost her the Presidency and may well stand in her way of being Secretary of State. Truly a Greek Tragedy of monumental proportions. I hope the brilliant Obama can figure out a way to rescue her from Bill. She could use a hero without an Achilles heel. If they succeed together, America will be the big winner. Hillary and Obama could truly change the world for the better.
Many say Hillary would not be where she is without Bill. I beg to differ. Bill Clinton would never have been Governor of Arkansas, much less President without Hillary. She is the brains in the family. Just ask Chelsea.
"She deserves it, having been the good soldier and campaigned for him vigorously in the last two months."
That is not a valid reason to appoint a Sec of State. The position may not be as important as it once was, but for Godsake, it should be someone with a background in foreign policy and diplomacy, not an ex-first lady with one term of senate experience.
How about somebody like Peter Galbraith? http://en.
It's looking like Bill is in her way again. I am not holding my breath that this is going to happen. Obama cannot afford to appoint her to a position without absolute proof that Bill's international foundation will not create conflicts of interest. Too many are waiting in the wings to bring down this administration and if the Clintons truly put country first and care about America, they will not contribute ammunition for the guns.
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