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

[chitown]

Well SOS would lower Hillary's profile, and make her less likely to mount a campaign for president in 2012. I'm all for that.

[SF13]

No it would not. She'd stay for 2 or 3 years then fill in her resume and then start her campaign.

[Sapphdia]

Yeah, especially if she PURPOSELY botches the job and helps to tank Obama's popularity.

[queotic]

You are in favor of putting someone into such a powerful and influential position simply so it lessens their chance of hypothetically running for POTUS 4 years from now? Do you actually believe that any Democrat will run against another Democrat, especially such a historic candidate as Obama?

[britethere]

A working woman here who worked and voted for Obama mainly because of his attitude toward war. Clinton who voted for war, voted for the Kyle Lieberman Bill, and states she would "Obliterate Iran" is not the SoS I would feel happy about. She and her husband clearly until the end when Obama was ahead supported Mccain saying disgusting things like " Mccain spent a lifetime serving the country while Obama has a speech he delivered in 2002" Her appointment would sadden many of us who are not Bush and the Hawks supporters.

[arizonawonder]

Do us all a favor Hillary haters, read a book. Think a bit. Then put pen to paper. Because your shallow statements are past embarrassment, they are disturbing.

Here are the facts....

Hillary Clinton, like John McCain, has spent a lifetime serving her country. Her record and results, like SCHIP, which insures over 6 million of america's poorest children was hard won by her diligent work. Thanks to her, Pell grants have increased to over 5 thousand and now are available year round for non-traditional students and thousands of national guardsmen have health benefits thanks to her and the bipartisan alliance with Sen. L. Graham. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Want some more truth?

Hillary is, and has always been a beacon of change and hope for the world.

It may be typical to down play this iconic woman, but I believe ignorance like your's is shameful. To compare Senator Clinton's forty year record and service to anyone's is small minded, but to compare her stellar career to a speech made by an unknown state senator speaking to a like-minded rally? Ludicrous.

Always you're not the only one who voted for Obama and you'll need folks like us again. I believe if you'd like for others to support Obama in spite of coming mythical distortions and media deceptions, YOU must first do the same. Good luck america.

[customgreen]

While Hillary no doubt has an impressive resume it does not automatically give her the best cabinet position. Remember her philosophy and the PRESIDENT ELECT are not the same when it comes to foriegn affairs. That's not some small thing. She must be on board in full or she does not get it. Her lifetime of service? You seem to leave out the parts where she was a corporate lawyer. That's not exactly public service.

[partyofone]

Hillary is about Hillary. Many AMericans want to see the best interests of the nation considered foremost, instead of pollicial cronyism. "Hillary deserves it" is pure cronyism.
Hillary's followers don't seem to understand that the Clinton-Bush era of politics as usual is over.

[SF13]

I take it your voted for McCain/Palin ?

[britethere]

Why not "do us all a favor" and take your Rovian styly diatribes to the Shawn Hannity Show or to Pat Buchanan at Morning Joe where "like minded" Clintonistas anti Obama folks hang.

[LeftRight]

I think that the way you said this is unnecessarily abrasive, but the points made are all EXTREMELY valid! The fact of the matter is that Hillary is one of the best people we would have available for the job, and as an Obama supporter (but not a Hillary hater!) I would LOVE to have her in the job!!!

[alex76]

I am a Hillary supporter and I want her to remain in the senate. I don’t think she wants that job either so you Obama supporters don’t need to worry about.

I wonder when Obama supporters would learn how to respect Hillary. For those who continue say that Hillary is not better than Obama, Biden, or Richardson, just come back and watch all of the debates to see who the best is. If you were fair enough, you would have never said Obama is more qualified than Hillary.

[brettb3]

Well, he beat her, so he obviously did turn out to be better qualified.

[ladydriver]

I'm an Obama supporter who had some issues with Hillary (landing under fire, specifically), but I've watched her and listened to her since the primary election, had a chance to see/hear her in person, and I've regained any respect for her that I lost in the run up to the primary election. I agree with you, alex76, that Obama supporters need to stop trashing Hillary.

I don't know if Senator Clinton is interested in the position of Secretary of State, but I believe that she will be diligent and effective in whatever role she chooses to serve our country. She is tough, dedicated, intelligent, experienced, and she's a classy lady. She's a great American.

[partyofone]

There is nothing to respect in the way HIllary conducted her Rove-style campaign against a fellow Democrat.

[SF13]

Hillary will never support anyone's agenda but her own. Better to be governor.

[SF13]

The real question is when will Hillary become respectable ? lol .... hmmm "Shame on you Barack Obama!" Yeah try that nonsense in a foreign country.

She said he wasn't qualified to be commander in chief. Now she wants to work for him ?

She ran a campaign that ended 20 million in debt. I can't figure out why all those 18 million supporters could not give 1 dollar each to help her out.

We're not seeking a president of the debate society. Hillary has zero negotiation skills which is primary skill required for SOS.

I don't see Hillary working for anyone. She has her agenda and perhaps should run for Governor. Then she could be in charge and set the agenda.

[imnoone]

I agree with Governer/Ambassador Kunin. I would like to underline that there was a miracle of sorts as important as the miracle we just witnessed only two years ago. In January of 2007, Grandma Pelosi walked to the Speaker's platform and presented her grandchildren with the Gavel of the second most powerful office in this country. I believe that the original US Constitution originally listed only three formal offices of government and the Speaker of the House of Representatives was one of those offices. It just hit me that I wept when I witnessed that transition just as I wept on November 4th of this year. If you would have told me as a white male child of the 1950's that I would witness the election of a Black President and a female Speaker of the House, I would have had a hard time believing you. Speaker Pelosi has already demonstrated great administrative and political abilities and our new President will not be able to act without her talents and abilities and power. I think that the Democratic Party has been transformed and women and minorities will not be ignored or omitted from any list.

[partyofone]

But, Pelois has been a disaster as Speaker of the House. Is that progress?

[dare i hope]

I would like to take exception to the characterization of Condoleeza Rice as "capable." Partisan politics aside I'd like to know what Rice has done to deserve this assessment? What are the concrete achievements that would garner her this accolade?

[kybo88]

Barack Obama could have very easily just ignored Hillary after he got the nomination and especially after he won the election. To show the he didn't need her to win. So since he's already won, he won't choose Hillary for SOS because he wants to satisfy old Hillary supporters. That's ancient history. Or the fact that she's a women, or as you say, she deserves it. He wants people in his cabinet who will not be afraid to disagree with him. Which says a great thing about Obama's character.

[partyofone]

He also needs people in his cabinet that he can trust to implement his vision for the nation. I do not think he or the nation can trust Bill and HIllary Clinton to do that.

[Giglawyer]

Hmmmm...ma­ybe. I don't think this is about Obama's character. I think it is about his intelligence.

If Clinton is going to be SOS, she has to spill the beans about Bill's foreign connections, his foreign doantions for the CLinton library, and all the other dirty little secrets. If she doesn't turn all of this over, he can withdraw her from consideration, and it will be her fault - all of the whining Hillary supporters will finally have to give him a break, because he offered her the best job next to VP. If she turns over all of this information, Obama is now armed against any Clinton coup in 2012, and has leverage against her for 2016 if she ever decides to try it and has fallen out of disfavor by then.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer indeed.

[LizM]

By the way, Condoleeza Rice has been less than effective in the role of SoS...let'­s be perfectly clear about that.

[klondiker]

Damn it, now I really want it to happen! I was initially opposed to the idea, but after hearing from Gail Collins, Maureen Dowd, yourself, and others, I have started to come around.

I really hope it happens!

[britethere]

Dowd on appointment of Clinton "There are Obama aides and supporters who are upset that The One who won on change has ushered in déjà vu all over again. The man who vowed to deliver us from 28 years of Bushes and Clintons has been stocking up on Clintonites"

[britethere]

....and Dowd :...."How, one may ask, can he put Hillary — who voted to authorize the Iraq war without even reading the intelligence assessment — in charge of patching up a foreign policy and a world riven by that war? "

[Fabienne]

How, one may ask, can he put Hillary Clinton into this position when she has said she wants a "nuclear umbrella" in the Middle East and would be willing to obliterate Iran? I cannot imagine her making any headway in this very difficult part of the world. Too, it does not bode well that she does not know the difference between landing under sniper fire and landing under no sniper fire or the different between ceremonial occasions in Ireland and peace negotiations there. I presume Obama made some sort of deal with the Clintons, but I am hoping Bill's vetting will prove to troublesome for all concerned for this to go through so Obama can offer it to a person who actually cares about negotiation and world peace.

[LizM]

But, wouldn't it just make sense that the SoS should at least be in the same league as the Vice President in terms of having impeccable and unipeachable foreign policy and national security credentials? Hillary has arguably earned a spot in the administration, but not heading up the state department. What about Ambassador to the UN? That would be good, wouldn't it?

[tiredofwaiting]

she was my first choice as a candidate and i certainly hope this rumour is true. she'd be fantastic as top diplomat. for all the clinton naysayers i would ask you respectfully to think before spewing your rhetoric; there is no one better qualified for the job.

[Giglawyer]

Do tell - what about Hillary makes her MORE qualified than ANYONE else being considered for the job? Has she: (1) served as an ambasador to a powerful country? (2) served in the State Department? (3) Negotiated any significant foreign policy treaty or agreement? (4) dedicated years of her life studying foriegn policy on an academic level? (5) dedicated decades of her life to service in either the military or the CIA?

She is smart, no doubt. She was first lady for eight years, so she knows the ettiquette of meeting the leaders of other countries. She has eight years in the Senate, and that counts for something. I don't know what the threshold is to be "qualified" for Secretary of State, so I will let others argue whether or not Hillary is qualified. But if she is the MOST qualified person, we are in deep trouble.

[partyofone]

Hillary has one major disqualificcation, she is Mrs. Bill Clinton, and Bill is negotiating international business deals and being paid mega millions for his insider perspective on American goverment and foreign policy. The Cltions have said where their money comes from is no one elses business. There is conflict of interest here, and HUGE potential for conflict of interest and distracting CONTROVERSY going forward.

You cannot have a chief diplomat who is untrustworthy.