Hillary Clinton: The Downside Of Her Time At State

[Purveyor]

(CNN)The last secretary of state to accede to the presidency was James Buchanan, and that was 158 years ago. And there's a reason for that.

Modern secretaries of state don't tend to be politicians who have a lot of experience in elected office or around politics, though they do have political ambitions.

Hillary Clinton is an exception, of course. And hopefully, should she win, she won't follow in the footsteps of Buchanan, who, despite having one of the best resumes in the presidential biz, turned out to be one of our worst presidents.

So will Clinton's tenure as the nation's top diplomat help or hurt her campaign for the presidency? You'll probably see the upside in Tuesday's debate. But there are downsides too. And here's why.

The second best job in government?

On the face of it, being secretary of state has got to be the second best job in government for the aspiring pol. No job other than the presidency affords you as serious a set of responsibilities, the aura of nonpartisanship, your own aircraft (formerly an Air Force One), and nonstop visibility, either trying to pre-empt crises or just, as George Shultz used to say, tending the diplomatic garden.

more...

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/12/opinions/miller-hillary-clinton-secretary-of-state-record/index.html

[Uncle Joe]

1. Well if children sneaking across the border or illegal immigration are issues I don't believe

supporting the military coup in Honduras will help her either.

I'm curious about the statement in this paragraph though.

Clinton identified an agenda of 21st-century issues -- women, environment, youth, State Department reforms and social media. I call it planetary humanism. But it's not an agenda that gets you into the Secretary of State Hall of Fame.

What are Hillary's plans on social media?

Thanks for the thread, Purveyor.

[TM99]

2. What are her plans for social media?

Well, to purchase Facebook Like's of course!!

http://www.educationviews.org/hillary-clinton-spent-630000-to-get-more-facebook-likes/

[cpompilo]

3. CNN, the 24/7 perception news network where facts don't matter and perception is everything.

There certainly are issues with Hillary's tenure as SoS (TPP, Clinton Foundation donations, mishandling the Arab Spring, Cuba, Venezuela, Congo, etc.) but this article is typical CNN bullshit and offers no discussion, facts, insight or analysis of any substance other than CNN's favorite topic, perception.

[Thinkingabout]

4. The big upside to having been SOS in 2008 rather 158 years ago is meeting many other heads of state

because of easier travel and much better communications. Hillary is respected around the world and when she places a call they probably have met at some time.

[moondust]

5. Why did HRC become SOS?

Instant name recognition around the world to help patch up strained relations after eight disastrous years of Bush/Cheney foreign policy. She didn't have to do much more than show up and shake hands.