HRC for SOS

Might we have just witnessed the dawning of a new era of politics in America in the last 24 hours? I will admit that I was taken aback by speculation that President-elect Barack Obama was considering none other than his former rival-in-chief, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, for arguably the most important post in his upcoming administration, Secretary of State. The two candidates debated endlessly during the primary season on the finer points of their proposed foreign policy initiatives, and their disagreements on diplomacy made for some of the most potent points of contrast between the candidates.

President-elect Obama has made no secret of his affection for Doris Kearns Goodwin's marvelous book "Team of Rivals," which chronicles how President Lincoln invited his vanquished political opponents into his administration in order to negotiate centrist, consensus solutions to the dire problems facing our nation during her darkest hour. If President Obama does indeed select Senator Clinton as his Secretary of State, he will be invoking Lincoln's legacy in a profound way; and in the opinion of this Congressman, there could be no wiser choice for the post.

During his first year in office, President Obama will likely need to keep a laser's focus on domestic issues as we try to climb out of the economic hole dug under eight years of President Bush's financial policies. Therefore, it is absolutely vital to select someone with the experience, toughness, and depth of knowledge to handle increased authority in foreign policy and deliver on President Obama's promise to the world; and who could be more qualified to manage the duties of the nation's top diplomat than the internationally revered junior Senator from New York? She brings two decades worth of foreign policy experience, much of it on the front lines as First Lady during one of the most peaceful eras in U.S. history. Furthermore, she brings instant prestige and credibility to the position; no foreign leader would ever feel diminished sitting in the presence of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I have had the privilege to know the Clintons since their days in neighboring Arkansas, and I know of no one more intelligent and capable of tackling the enormous challenges we face abroad than Hillary Rodham Clinton. During the Bush Administration, the country watched with horror the consequences of rewarding campaign benefactors with important positions within the executive branch (see: Brown, Michael), and President-elect Obama's selection of Senator Clinton would signify a remarkable step in the right (and opposite) direction by rewarding accomplishment, intelligence and talent rather than patronage.

I was an ardent supporter of Barack Obama during the heated primary season - in part because I agreed with his positions on the War in Iraq and on more aggressive diplomacy - but I whole-heartedly believe that Senator Clinton would make an exceptional Secretary of State. Senator Clinton's vast knowledge, experience representing our country and her finely honed skills of negotiation would serve this country well, and her presence within an Obama Administration would have an immediate, positive impact.

Comments

[argyle]

Good idea, but the best reason to have the loyal opposition, and friendly rivals, in your administration is that you set their agendas and goals. And if they work against you it really would be unpatriotic. Clinton at State, McCain at Defense: Two more thankful Senators, 1 more Democrat in congress and some good press. Oh, and qualified people to fill important posts.

[CrashLandon]

I think it would be FAR more productive to have HRC as head of HHS.

[JoelGrant]

We carried Obama over the finish line. If he picks this horrible warmonger as Secretary of State, Obama will effectively kick us in the teeth. Bye bye supporters! Yes we can sell out to the warmonger faction of the Washington establishment.

Good gawd. We have had a few days of "hope" and now the grim reality - Rahm, Clinton, various and sundry legal advisors who believe it is OK for presidents to break the law ("as Commander in Chief, of course").

Meet the new boss. Same as the old old boss.

[whit4brains]

I agree. I don't understand this choice at all.

[barbie1212]

I think this story is being spread by Clinton allies. He met with Richardson the next day and has yet to meet any of the other candidates. Until Obama says it true, it's not true.

[mredder4]

Heh. Sorry, but he's already elected. He doesn't need to worry about you not supporting his Cabinet choices. You've overstated the importance of your opinion on the subject.

If you thought that Obama would be governed by (or govern according to) the popular opinions on MoveOn.Org or Daily Kos, you obviously thought wrong. I for one am glad to see that he's more center than he is left. I voted for him hoping that was true, and it turns out it is.

I, at least, can take away happiness from his election, instead of getting caught with the bitter resentment of those supporters of Obama who expected a left wing agenda.

[Kate4Change]

I disagree..­. who did you want him to pick for Chief of Staff or SOS? We are in tough economic and international crises and you need competent people in these positions.

Hillary almost got elected as POTUS!!! She is definitely able to handle the SOS role and is NOT a war monger. Please... that is ridiculous. You act like she is a republican­... Hillary is one of the most liberal democrats there is.

Hillary supporters got behind Obama because that was the best for our nation. Obama supporters should get behind him and trust his decisions because he will make the choices that are best for our nation.

[Snowball]

Clinton rejected diplomacy over belligerence, I fail to understand how you can say she would be a good diplomat. During her campaign, she rejected Obama's call to enter into diplomatic relations with Iran and for good measure, demonized Venezuela (a thriving democracy) and Cuba (what threat do they represent to us?).

Are we supposed to just throw away hope for a better foreign policy that engages our enemies as well as our friends, to assuage the bitterness of a now irrelevant elite Washington consensus?

[Kate4Change]

Clinton is very diplomatic! Obama is the president and if he appoints Clinton as SOS she will need to follow his direction, which she will.

[johnsopinion]

Thank you for this article Steve.
You've validated the reason I voted for you.