The Clintons Are Back?

"The Clintons" are back for a summer rerun -- or so it seems to the nation's headline writers. They all declare that Bill Clinton's mission to North Korea has resulted in the release of the two U.S. journalists. I believe a more accurate statement is "Kim's decision to release the two U.S. journalists was conditioned on getting a big name to come to Pyongyang" for the sake of maximum publicity. Who bigger than the former American President (although cynics, knowing of Kim's love for Hollywood films, might have suggested Brooke Shields or Angela Jolie)? Perhaps it is the fact that Kim and Bill share a passion for pizza that pointed to the latter's choice as the symbolic emissary.

Seriously, all reports indicate that Bill conducted no negotiations. Whatever backdoor communications occurred, there again is no evidence of their involving more than working out the details of the release. As for HRC's public statements, I see nothing at all remarkable skillful or crafty about them. In the future, I do agree that Bill Clinton should be kept on tap for further celebrity appearances since he obviously has found his metier. The true tests for a still awkward Secretary of State await her, and the administration, in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine, Moscow. To date, we have witnessed little more than non-stop travel -- seemingly based on the Lamborghini motto that if you drive fast enough all accidents happen behind you. Moreover, she has put her foot in her mouth with dismaying frequency.

The Obama presidency has had a recurrent problem with high officials getting "off message" on everything from our attitude toward possible Israeli air strikes against Iran to providing a security umbrella for our Persian Gulf allies. The unsettling discrepancy between Obama's boldly stated goals and unclear strategies for reaching them means less than adequate guidance for the players in the diplomatic orchestra. Soloists by temperament can produce harmonious sound only where there is a concertmaster who interprets the entire score and keeps a steady beat. For all of the administration's senior foreign policy makers, they should heed the prudent counsel to spend more time in the rehearsal hall and less globetrotting in order to blend individual flair with effective music-making.

I hasten to add that none of these comments about "The Clintons" are personal; it's just business -- as someone or other said.

Comments

[dragonlady620]

So what? It worked. The women came home safely. No international incident was created. End of story.
As another poster so aptly put it, why does this have to be made into a p*ssing contest?

[zmjz01]

Just when I had a "feel good" moment with the Bill Clinton rescue of journalists in North Korea, I put my head down on my pillow, and a couple hrs later logged on to HuffPost to find out all about Bill Clinton and the story is a sham. Damn!

We here in Texas finally got rid of Tom Delay. Karl Rove is in the background figuring out how to position Sarah Palin or Cheney's daughter. You can't sleep for a minute here in Houston because the Republicans demand to rule. Conversations overheard in a Vietnamese-owned manicure shop are downright painful as clients are on cellphone constantly: "I'm having a pedicure. So I'll pick up the kids and take them to Second Baptist at 4:00, right?" Texan Republicans will never consider uniiversal health care as long as they are taxed for it.

[dragonlady620]

I know that I would sleep better if Karl Rove were behind bars. I wish the MSM would have the stones to out this man, and tell the truth about how he perverted the electorate in Texas, and how he tried to do it to the nation. He had a huge hand in giving us the disaster of the last eight years-and it sounds like he is trying to do it again.

[blaqntelligence]

It just never ends does it?
1.) The Clintons never left so there's nothing to come "back" to.
2.) The Obama administration could not afford to be involved with this humanitarian effort.
3.) Bill is not outshining/outdoing/showing up Hillary. Comparing apples and oranges.
4.) I am not a BC or HC fan, but I believe in credit where credit is due. Bill Clinton was pivotal in obtaining these journalists release.

Why must we now dissect the nuances and possibilities of his mission?....Start digging for meaning.....All and sundry wondering what does this mean for Hillary......What does this mean for Bill?....Will Bo the dog weigh in? How about Chelsea's hair stylist?
Why can't we as a nation take our cue from the women who were actually rescued (remember the people he went to NK for?) say "Thank you, Mr. President" and keep it moving?

[averygard]

Who cares, as long as it got the job done? It also scored points in the mind of the average American meathead for the side of the Democrats.

[blaqntelligence]

"the mind of the average American meathead..."

As a die-hard fan of All In The Family, LOLOLOL:)

[partyofone]

There are many reports of Bill using his business contacts to pull off the logistics for his visit. In his international "swap meet" of influence peddling for profit, who does Bill now owe? What if anything did he promise the North Koreans, in that ego loose lips style of his. Is Hillary now obligated to "help out" Bill's international business buddies? Is Hillary too deeply conflicted on North Korea to be of value in negotiations or public posturing?

The real costs and benefits of Bill's "private" diplomacy have yet to be calculated.

[lbicomber]

The real question is, why do all your delusional accusations against the Clintons end in question marks?

The answer is obvious.

[zmjz01]

ChampLessFuzzy: thanks for sending. We out here in mid-America don't have access to insider views of belt-way people. We are just outside of the loop, like stupid, as you would consider us.
I am just try;ng to glean as much infiormation as I can re thehealth care bill so I can have a civill conversation with Republican sister from Chicago. I'm searching for middle ground. I'm not heavy on liberal side, but my first vote for President was for JFK, so that tells you my age and feelings.

[ChampLessFuzzy]

Great post, thank you Mr. Brenner. I was actually curious whether anyone would have the mettle to say this. A lot of good people worked their bums off behind the scenes, but Clinton was the window dressing needed to satisfy NK. The two Americans are home safe, hopefully no negative results setting precedence (Obama-Biden played that part exceptionally well). I wish to thank the many individuals who worked diligently in the background, but will never share Clinton's spotlight.

To all of those still worshipping the Clintons, go for it. Be aware there are many, many, who do not feel anywhere near this emotion; information is found out; life changes. There are myriad reasons. Hillary will not make higher office, that has been guaranteed. This from a life-time Democrat who voted for her in the primaries. Never again. PUMA negativity has only made it worse.

So, good for Bill Clinton; he is greatly appreciated. Hillary Clinton will do a great job as SoS; so let her. She has a big role. Obama has an outstanding stable for foreign policy heavy lifting with Biden, Gates, Mitchell, Holbrook, Jones, and Obama himself. Only six months...again, only six months.

We certainly do not need to agree...just understand that there are very strong differences in opinions here, and the futures of individuals change. Pages turn.

[tlk221]

Yeah, check out CNN's 200 Day Poll - HRC outshines everyone - even the Messiah

[luvangelHussein330]

HRC out shines J_sus...wow. Why would CNN poll J_sus?

[partyofone]

you can fool most of the people some of the time?

[klondiker]

How is HRC awkward in her role as SoS? There is virtually-unanimous agreement in both sides of the aisle that she seems comfortable, highly prepared, and well-informed for the position. Her MTP appearance was evidence of that.

Also, would you mind stating some examples of when she has had her foot in her mouth as SoS?

[partyofone]

Hillary Clinton is doing a smile and greet, token role, similar to what she did as First Lady. No amount of cheerleading, spinning or wishful thinking has changed that.

Whenever she tries to step up to the demands of the world stage, she falls flat, like with hersill "reset button" to Russia, her much hyped recent "major polticy speech" to the Council on Foreign Relastions, and her bold stand on North Korea -- "unruly children who should be ignored "-- which resulted in silly name calling and culminated with her HUSBAND giving North Korea exactly the spotlight and worldwide attention they crave.

But of course Hillary's lack of gravitas as SoS is because she broke her arm and is the victim of the media (did adoring Andrea Mitchell get that memo?)

[XME]

Little did Jong Il know that involving Bill Clinton meant the entire story would be about Bill Clinton...not about journalists, and certainly not about Kim Jong Il.

[aproposofnothing]

that's why the US immediately sent Bill when Lil'Kim asked for him! He was ju-jitsued. All the clowns who missed tearing apart the Clintons have to keep their cottage industry going.

[partyofone]

Bill's back in the headlines. What will keep his ego fed next?

[TheBaffler]

Thank you, Mr. Brenner. It's about time someone addressed clearly what took place in Pyongyang.

The Clintons remain the self-serving frauds they've always been, so they are back in that sense.

[mountainweb]

Bill gets something done, obama flounders, yep good message there!

[noneIn2008]

Great to see Bill. However, it is not a positive for Obama to be reminded of the more pragmatic Bill. It will make people long for the good ol days of Bill.

[luvangelHussein330]

more pragmatic bill..pahllez it was the pragmitism of President Obama that got bill in NK in the first place. And how is bill more pragmatic if he is now on the "comeback" after flailing all thru out the campaign last year?

[dragonlady620]

You have to remember that the "good ol days of Bill" were before Bushco. put the economy-as well as evrything else-in the toilet. I'm still exasperated at the number of people who are griping that they're not seeing any change when it took the better part of a decade to get to this point-and it is not helped by obstructionist Republicans who put power of the people they are supposed to be serving.

[partyofone]

and poor Hillary, overshadowed once again.

[socratiskiss]

Love seeing Bill back. Love you BILL!

[noneIn2008]

Good to see results instead of rhetoric. We did not endure endless speeches and lecturing. He went, he acted, he delivered the goods. An interesting model for all our current politicians.

[luvangelHussein330]

The reason he was there in the first place was becuase of the actions over a span of months of our current admin. A deal was already done. All bill did was pick up and deliver....

[TheBaffler]

You obviously didn't read what Mr. Brenner wrote.

[dragonlady620]

What Mr. Brenner wrote isn't Gospel-it's simply his opinion. Personally I find his comments irrelevant and a little silly-but that's just MY opinion.

[Mitsy]

Its good to see ALL worked together-Pres. Obama, His administration, the ladies' families, Al Gore, BIll Clinton-to bring about a happy ending to this saga!

Still leery of BIll Clinton, however. Can't forget certain comments he made against Obama during the presidential campaign.

[StephenJK]

but, I bet you can't quote one negative thing that anyone said about him or Hillary in that same campaign, right?

Hint: "he just better watch what he says and how he says it".

[dragonlady620]

As Obama himself put it, "We're on the same team-it's just that we're both going out for quarterback." All politicians badmouth the competition to some degree. And it's certainly not surprising that Bill was backing his wife. It would be a little strange if he hadn't.