Some thoughts on Hillary, Obama, the primaries and SOS.

[Political Tiger]

During the primaries, I came to really despise Hillary Clinton. I couldn't say enough bad things about her. Anytime I heard the name Clinton, I would cringe. I was digging up dirt on her to show she was not qualified to be dog-catcher, much less president. I came to see her, and Bill, as scum of the earth!

That was then, this is now.

In hindsight, I can see how emotional and personal the primaries were for a lot of us. I felt, and still do, that Hillary hit below the belt too many times, however, I know many Hillary supporters felt, and feel, the same about Obama. But they were engaged in battle, and it got ugly. Who started it is not important, even if it could be established who started it! The point is that it's over. What's done is done. No use in crying over spilled milk.

Now I think highly of Hillary. I've let go of any hard feelings I had towards her. I figure if she can let it go, why can't I?

She showed herself to be a real trooper by campaigning hard for Obama. She said she would campaign for whoever became the Democratic nominee and she kept her word. Good for her!

Do I think she would be a good Secretary of State? Yes. Do I think John Kerry or Bill Richardson would be a good Secretary of State? Yes.

(I also thought Hillary was qualified to be president and if she had won the nomination I would have supported her just as much as I supported Obama.)

I supported Obama because I thought he was best for the job. Now that he is President-elect, I feel it's a good idea to take a few deep breaths and let him conduct his business of picking the people he wants working with him without second guessing him. After all, I think we, at least most of us, voted for him because we felt he has outstanding judgment. If he feels Hillary Clinton is best suited to be Secretary of State, then who am I to tell him she is not?

I think a lot of people are still bitter over the primaries. I understand that. But I also think it's time to move on and support the man we elected to be the next President of the United States.

JMO.

[BootinUp]

1. Obviously you think this is a place for serious debate, lol.

nice post.

[anonymous171]

2. I feel the same way.

I fucking hated Hillary during the primaries. But that was a long time ago and I'm over it. I'm sure she will be a great asset to the Obama administration.

[Metric System]

3. A positive thread? Thank you.

[cali]

4. Much too well thought out a post for DU

and far over the heads of the reactionary asshats.

k&r

[ShortnFiery]

7. There's no need to disrespect an entire message board. YOU are a part of this board too.

In essence, the trashing of contrary opinions within this thread is it's own form of censorship.

As to the OPs perspective, I respect for what it is, a thoughtful opinion. I fully disagree with many elements of the narrative but it is well considered. :-)

[mwei924]

5. I completely agree.

I had nothing against Hillary before the primaries. I just thought Obama was truly a special and once-in-a-lifetime kind of candidate. It's only when things got very ugly during the primary that I started thinking less of Hillary. And even then, I was less pissed off at Hillary than Bill (and her idiotic campaign).

If Obama feels like he can work with Hillary at SoS and be productive, then I'll trust his judgment. But I can totally understand why people would be a little off-put by the idea of Hillary as SoS. Obama just got elected after a long campaign and hasn't even taken office yet. When you've stuck with one candidate all through the primary season and beyond, you feel a little protective. Some people still can't get over the fact that during the primaries, Hillary seemed to have crossed a line and maybe some people don't trust her to be loyal to Obama.

[lisa58]

6. Hillary's campaign assumed too much during the primary campaign....

...I would love for her to be part of this administration if she wants it - she's amazing!

[kdpeters]

8. If Hillary makes it past the vetting for SoS then she deserves SoS

and she deserves our support.

If she doesn't pass vetting, then fuck her and fuck Bill too.

[Starry Messenger]

9. kick. n/t

[qwlauren35]

10. I don't remember hating Hillary.

I pretty much tuned out most of the primary after Maryland's was done. I heard snippets, but I was mainly just watching the numbers. I didn't hear most of the smears from either side. I just found it odd that whenever anything was said that was objectionable by someone OTHER THAN THE CANDIDATE that would impugn the rival, that candidate was supposed to denounce it, and perhaps even that person.

And people kept score!!!

I was glad to stay away from it, personally.

At the convention, and also during the Unity Tour, I was fairly neutral about Hillary. I had come back to DU to keep abreast, and the Hillary hating was rather intense. It was uncomfortable... and it has never truly died. I don't even want to think about the rift that would exist in DU between Obama supporters and Hillary supporters if Obama had lost. The "but if Hillary had been nominated..."s would be clogging the servers.

My favorite image what the one when Obama says "Everyone calm %^&*( down: I Got This." I miss that photo.

I don't hate Hillary. I have a LOT of respect for her, and I'd really, really, really like to see her on the Supreme Court... except she doesn't have the Constitutional Law experience that I think the position deserves. But then again, there wasn't anything stellar about Clarence Thomas.

I don't think of the SoS as a good-will ambassador. And most of the arguments being presented are of that nature, and not around a person with diplomatic experience and shrewd negotatiating skills with people of other cultures and nationalities. I think being liked abroad would only get her so far. And we need someone who can do an unprecedented level of damage control.

That's why I'd like to see a different person in the SoS position. It has absolutely nothing to do with who Hillary is, just who she isn't.