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Obama: Choose Bill Richardson, Lee Hamilton, Dick Lugar, Al Gore or Chuck Hagel -- but not Hillary Clinton -- as your Secretary of State
The new president-elect will have his hands full when he takes office in January, 2009 withdrawing American forces from Iraq and sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and trying to successfully revive our ailing economy.
Luckily, he will have Vice-President Joe Biden who has an extensive background in foreign policy as his years as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Like most administrations before them, foreign policy will be made out of the White House. While President Obama spends his time on an economic stimulus and other domestic concerns Vice-President Biden can be the point person on foreign policy issues.
The new secretary of state will not be the person making foreign policy for the country under President Obama. He or she will be more than a mere figure head but will not be running a power center in the new administration.
So, why spend all this political capital on deciding whether or not Senator Clinton should be invited to be the country's new secretary of state? Why get involved with all the controversies of the past decade with the Clintons when there are much better choices to be considered? Why go back in time and get the country involved with the Clinton family again?
Didn't Obama promise change -- and massive change at that? Already, his senior staff appointments have ties to President Bill Clinton's administration. Shouldn't the new president-elect be moving away from the Clintons and forming his own team of Obama loyalists?
Is Senator Clinton really the best choice for secretary of state? Of course not. It would be a good choice politically to have her in the administration so she is part of the Obama team, but not as secretary of state. Political appointments of previous administrations have ranged from Postmaster General to Secretary of the Interior to the top trade representative at USTR. If Obama is looking for a political position for the New York senator these would be good positions for her many talents.
For Secretary of State New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson would be an excellent choice. He has been involved in foreign affairs from his days as Secretary of Energy to United Nations Ambassador to his many trips abroad as an envoy to trouble spots around the globe.
Other acceptable choices would include former Vice-President Al Gore, who is extremely well versed in foreign policy matters and would bring environmental concerns to the forefront of U.S. policy if he were chosen.
Former congressman Lee Hamilton would also be an excellent choice to be America's new secretary of state, as would fellow Hoosier Senator Dick Lugar. Choosing retiring Republican senator Chuck Hagel would also be a creative choice for Obama. Richard Holbrooke is certainly interested in the position. Senator John Kerry and former Senator Sam Nunn are both qualified candidates for the job as well.
Is there anything to prevent Vice-president Joe Biden from also being the secretary of state in the new administration?
There are qualified people out there without the controversy that would follow Bill and Hillary Clinton. She is a fine senator representing New York and the former president has a very worthwhile foundation that is helping people around the globe. They should stay in their current positions.
President-elect Obama, you have many qualified candidates for secretary of state from Dick Lugar to Lee Hamilton to Al Gore to John Kerry. They and other possibilities would carry out your foreign policy effectively and efficiently without the soap opera moments that always seem to appear with the Clintons.
It is good to have your "team of rivals" under your roof but that does not include giving one of the top and most visible positions in your administration to Senator Clinton. There are other better candidates for the job. Hopefully, you will pick one of them and Senator Clinton can continue her job in the senate. After all, a Supreme Court vacancy may come open during your first term and she should certainly be on the short list for the top court.
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This whole issue of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State has taken on a life of its own. Clinton and Obama have yet to issue an official statement and the media continues to swirl with conjecture from those nameless sources in the proverbial "know."
I'd like to see media take a respite from their speculation until they have official word.
Here's the thing, Mr. Guttman, but...
(a) I'm tired of hearing Obama's "change" mantra used against him. We voted for change meaning we didn't want four more years of Bush via John McCain. We did not vote for Obama meaning that he had to bring in people with no experience and no knowledge of the how the Federal Government works in order to completely change every person who works in Washington, DC and you know it.
(b) I and many millions of other Americans were Hillary Clinton supporters at the outset. If you don't remember us, maybe you remember that McCain was his party's choice effective in March, but Obama did not have the clear win until mid-summer. Some even worried that there might be some surprise at the DNC in Denver that would make Hillary the nominee. So, like it or not, we're still hear, and we're still big fans of Hillary Clinton. Personally, I'm still shocked and saddened that he didn't pick her to be his vice-presidential running mate as I am quite sure she would have picked him. But either way, we most certainly do want to see her treated well and in a valuable position within the Obama administration.
Want to hold Obama responsible for anything at all, and you want to dictate who he selects on his "team", why didn't you run for president? Management 101, leader has to pick their own team or you cannot hold them responsible. Fanatics always think they are right, right or left - both sides wrong in that they are myopic. What I hope we have learned here is that true leadership requires that all are involved and true leaders build consensus over time because they are "right".
OK, we get it, there's an ugly history between the two!
Yes, you can make the argument that Hillary isn't the best qualified for the position.
But Obama is thinking about the long game and it's f'in brilliant!!
By putting Hillary as secretary of state, you effectively isolate her from daily politics. This in turn increases the likelihood that she will not run for president in 4 years unless things go south. But the added benefit is that ...
1. She gains the all-important "Foreign Policy" experience.
2. She won't be tarnished by recent congressional records.
3. It'll make it much easier for her to run for president, and win in 8 years.
Potentially giving Democrats control of the white house for 16 years!! {knocking on wood}
Wow, I never considered Joe Biden as taking on both jobs, but if anyone could do it, it would be Joe. Knowledge, intelligence, credibility, awesome energy, and a genuine love to serve America, Biden could pull this off without breaking a sweat. I think he'll be a bit busy... ;-)
I would really like to see Bill Richardson as Secretary of State. Next to Joe Biden, Bill Richardson probably worked the hardest for Obama. He offers loyalty and awesome diplomatic skills. As Tweet says, Richardson has a great nack for being able to work with the "bad" guys: getting things accomplished, maintaining grown-up relationships, not giving away the store away. I think Chris Matthews is right...Bill R would be an outstanding addition to Obama/Biden Administration. Chuck Hagel would also do an excellent job.
Here's Thomas Friedman's latest piece on all of this...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/opinion/19friedman.html?_r=1&hp
Tom Friedman is right, AGAIN! Based on qualifications, Hillary certainly meets the test. She's not the MOST qualified person in the country, but you can't say she's not qualified...okay...I can't say she's not qualified.
But, that's not what's most important. What should matter most is how tight she is with the President and will world leaders know instinctively that when they are speaking with the SoS, they are speaking to the President. Otherwise, the SoS cannot be an effective diplomat.
Friedman asks, "Is Obama considering Mrs. Clinton for this job in order to get her off his back or as a prelude to protecting her back? "
He goes on to point out that...
"Foreign leaders can spot daylight between a president and a secretary of state from 1,000 miles away. They know when they’re talking to the secretary of state alone and when they are talking through the secretary of state to the president. And when they think they are talking to the president, they sit up straight; and when they think they are talking only to the secretary of state, they slouch in their chairs. When they think they are talking to the president’s “special envoy,” they doze off in midconversation."
It really does boil down to one question. Would Hillary and Obama have the kind of relationship that would allow for effective diplomacy?
...actually, come to think of it, Tom Friedman makes a very good argument for the Vice President-elect taking on the role of SoS. It just makes too much sense to ignore.
When word leaked that Hillary was the leading contender for S of S, the only reason I could come up with was that Obama must have made a deal with the Clintons. Otherwise...why would he choose Hillary...when there are more qualified statesmen that don't have her baggage...like John Kerry and Bill Richardson? Not to mention that Kerry wound up being one of Obama's strongest, most eloquent supporters...and gave Obama his big break four years ago. And Richardson endorsed him when all hell was breaking loose over Rev. Wright...and helped turn New Mexico blue.
So WHY would No Drama Obama go with the neverending soap opera that IS the Clintons?? It is two for one here...Hillary...Bill...and all of their messy complications. (I don't believe that Bill's business dealings don't present serious conflicts of interest and entanglements in this situation.) Lest we forget, all was not rosy during Clinton's presidency. Plus...she didn't run a very tight ship with her own campaign!
Finally...Obama and Hillary clearly have very different views on diplomacy and foreign policy. And, of course, Hillary will always have her own agenda...what's good for her politically.
This year, I've felt like a kid with my bright, shiny Obama balloon...flying high with hope for real change and a break from politics of the past. But with this Hillary news...and all of these Clintonistas...a little bit of the air has gone out of that balloon every day.
Democrats ran the "Anybody but Bush" idea for years with no good result. "Anybody but Clinton" works no better. It sounds like they're just ganging up on one individual and it does nothing but cause sympathy to well up for the opponent.
If you want a another candidate then pick one. The favorite for a long time has been Bill Richardson. The man has credentials that are unbeatable. Reading his book Between Worlds one begins to understand that to be a diplomatic powerhouse requires more than just charm and charisma. Bill Richardson brings the right combinations of passion, persuasiveness, and perseverance. Then there is experience - all the right public service positions, plus he had the benefit of some schooling abroad as did Obama. He should be the only candidate being considered for the Secretary of State position at this point.
I couldn't agree more, except for Dick Lugar. He fought desegregation in Indianapolis in the 1960s when he was mayor, so I couldn't support him. Bill Richardson is clearly the best choice. No contest.
I agree wholeheartedly. Anyone but drama-filled HRC (and yes, Bubba). I understand this is Obama's choice, but there are many other qualified candidates out there. However, it looks like his cabinet is starting to look like nothing more than former Clintonistas. I hope and pray that is NOT the case. This is NOT the change I voted for... Let's see what happens.
Call me confused. If this is not the change you voted for, then...what the heck did you vote for?
Barry Obama!!
Bill Richardson is the right choice. Aside from his credential in dealing with foreign matters, Bill Richardson is an important figure in the latino demographic and if obama want to appoint a hispanic american in any meaningful position, then he is the man. Republicans have realized that the hemorrhaging latino vote must be stopped if they ever want to have great comeback. The Democrats must hold on to this votes, ergo Bill Richardson. I understand Barry O's dilemma.....How many times he is going to diss The Clintons. First the vice presidency and now this.. But in the end Bill Richardson is the right choice. When making this kind of decisions Obama should consider optimizing and exploiting the candidates credentails, Hillary clinton since she is passionate about health care she should be appointed to deal with healthcare. Bill Richardson was a diplomate previously thus would be a perfect candidate for Secretary of State. As for Kerry he is better suited for domestic issue. Al Gore continue his work on the climate preferably in cabinet level
Not only will Vice President Biden bring a depth and breadth of knowledge of foreign policy and national security that is second to none but, he is also the only one on the face of the planet who has developed and honed a comprehensive strategy to promote a sustainable political settement in Iraq which has already received the quiet support of many of Iraq's sectarian leaders, the unofficial endorsement of the permanent members of the UN Security Council and an overwhelming and unprecedented majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress voted for it, too! (Senate vote: an incredible 75-23, including 26 Republicans)
No other candidate for SoS can hold a candle to that!
There wouldn't be anything inherent in the constitution that would preclude the VP-elect from also being tapped as the SoS, would there?
Hey, Robert...maybe we should ask the VP-elect!
I like holding Hillary Clinton out for the Supreme Court. i would trust her to do the right thing there. But for Secretary of State, I am appalled: She has been entirely incontinent on foreign affairs, touting the 'obliteration' of Iran, signing up to speak at an anti-Iran rally. (Why would a U.S. Senator support a public rally against another country? -- She didn't speak because she found out Palin was also planning to speak.) In fact, I compare her favorably with Ahmadinejad in the blatant verbal abuse, or blowhard, category. Her comments about Bobbie Kennedy being assassinated at a certain moment in his campaign as a reason for her to stay in her campaign, notwithstanding, although they are also relevant to her inability to keep herself from saying appalling and provocative things. She also by implication touted the use of nuclear weapons with regard to Iran. ('NOTHING is off the table!") She should be doing everything she can to ban nuclear weapons around the world. She voted for the war in Iraq; this is not nothing, as some people (Obama) could see this was a wrong vote. She is a war-monger. She wants a fight, I think. How could anyone think of this woman being the head of a diplomatic organization?
For someone who has such an ease with loose, provocative lips to be given State is wrong. It is not a good match.
We elected Obama to be President and we will hold him responsible for anything and everything that happens on his watch. Given that, do you also want to dictate his team and still hold him responsible? Whether you like it or not, putting a good government together means putting who you think will make the greatest contribution. Hillary is his choice.
You know this doesn't sound right to me it sounds like people are scared Hillary will take over and make Obama look bad that's why they think she wouldn't be a good pic.Get over it people Obama is going to be the next president soon you voted for him believing in him to do the right thing so you all need to have faith in this choice. It's his choice and if he can't handle Hillary than he can't handle being president so chill out.
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