This is why Obama wants Hillary

[Onlooker]

Obama I think intends to focus primarily on domestic issues -- human rights, health care, the economy, social welfare, infrastructure, tax policy, energy policy, the environment, and so on. Yet, at the same time, given the many problems in the world, Obama needs to underscore that the U.S. is committed to its foreign policy.

Appointing Hillary Clinton Sec'y of State means a lot to most of the world. They remember how informed Bill Clinton was (who will certainly advise and join his wife); they know that Hillary Clinton is next to Obama the most well-known and highly regarded political leader in the Untied States; they know she commands bipartisan respect and support in the Senate; they know she's able to grab headlines simply by meeting with someone. Appointing Hillary sends a clear signal to the rest of the world that Obama is serious about foreign relations. Hillary Clinton will be no figurehead like Colin Powell and Condi Rice were for the most part. Hillary Clinton is someone with a voice in her own right, who will certainly have the ear of the President.

I also think on all the critical issues, Hillary Clinton and Obama were never far apart, except for some political posturing. I don't think they'll have much trouble agreeing, or else Hillary (who could be dismissed by Obama) would not accept the position.

[LostinVA]

1. Everything I've read says there's been very favorable International responses to HRC as SOS

We need some favorable opinions on an international level for a change.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. Favorable internation opinions will be like a breath of fresh air. I hate to

imagine how the rest of the world views our country right now.

[LostinVA]

6. Seriously

[The Doctor.]

29. Well.... 'right now' the rest of the world is starting to forget the Bush nightmare...

Clinton is an excellent choice. She knows the language of diplomacy... unlike a certain first-lady wannabe. I expect that much will get done in foreign relations these next several years.

[LynneSin]

19. That's my take on all of this. DUers might like like HRC but the rest of the world does

and well she's gonna be Secretary of State NOT Secretary of DU

[AtomicKitten]

2. I think they are sufficiently far apart on foreign policy & nat'l security to be concerned.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

For all the buzz and speculation about the possibility that Sen. Clinton may be named Secretary of State, most media coverage has focused on her rivalry with Obama during the primary, along with the prospect of her husband having to face the intense personal, financial and political vetting process required to secure a job in the new administration. But the question of how Clinton would lead the operations at Foggy Bottom calls for scrutiny of her positions vis-a-vis Obama's stated foreign-policy goals.

Clinton was an ardent defender of her husband's economic and military war against Iraq throughout the 1990s, including the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, which ultimately laid the path for President George W. Bush's invasion. Later, as a U.S. senator, she not only voted to authorize the war, but aided the Bush administration's propaganda campaign in the lead-up to the invasion. "Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile-delivery capability and his nuclear program," Clinton said when rising to support the measure in October 2002. "He has also given aid, comfort and sanctuary to terrorists, including al-Qaida members … I want to insure that Saddam Hussein makes no mistake about our national unity and for our support for the president's efforts to wage America's war against terrorists and weapons of mass destruction."

"The man who vowed to deliver us from 28 years of Bushes and Clintons has been stocking up on Clintonites," New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd recently wrote. "How, one may ask, can he put Hillary -- who voted to authorize the Iraq war without even reading the intelligence assessment -- in charge of patching up a foreign policy and a world riven by that war?"

Beyond Iraq, Clinton shocked many and sparked official protests by Tehran at the United Nations when asked during the presidential campaign what she would do as president if Iran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons. "I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran," she declared. "In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."

Clinton has not shied away from supporting offensive foreign policy tactics in the past. Recalling her husband's weighing the decision of whether to attack Yugoslavia, she said in 1999, "I urged him to bomb. … You cannot let this go on at the end of a century that has seen the major holocaust of our time. What do we have NATO for if not to defend our way of life?"

http://www.alternet.org/audits/107666/this_is_change_20_hawks,_clintonites_and_neocons_to_watch_for_in_obama%27s_white_house/?page=entire

[tinrobot]

3. I think you hit it on the head.

Too many problems for Obama, so offload some of it to a very capable and somewhat independant surrogate.

[ElboRuum]

5. Ding! Score that one.

Very insightful. And probably correct.

[Retrograde]

7. Bill will have his say

but I think one reason Obama picked Hillary is that she's probably the only person who can keep him under some sort of control.

I still would have preferred her for Justice and/or Supreme Court, but she'll do a good job anywhere.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. She doesn't have the legal chops for either Justice or the SC -

but so long as she is implementing Obama's foreign policy, I think she'd do fine as SoS.

[FailureToCommunicate]

27. Oh, and Clarence Thomas DID have enough legal "chops"!??

[JimDandy]

31. Even today, Clarence Thomas is a huge embarassment!! n/t

[RaleighNCDUer]

34. She may be head and shoulders better than Thomas

but that's a pretty low fucking bar.

What is the full extent of her legal writings?
Where did she rank in her class in law school?
Did she ever teach law, even as a graduate assistant?
What is her experience with constitutional law?
Has she ever argued a case before the supreme court?

She spent a few years as a corporate attorney. That's it. There are literally millions of lawyers out there with more experience.

I would expect much, much more for a SC appointee, or for the head of the Justice Department.

[quinnox]

8. and also Hillary had a lot of support

among women and other groups of Democrats that were more traditional. Remember how close the primary battle was, Hillary came this close to winning. So the secretary of state post is perhaps a move by Obama for a gesture to the Democrats that were not as comfortable with him compared to Hillary.

With a Democratic party fully united behind him Obama can accomplish ambitious things.
Quite a brilliant move by Obama really.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I think that PE Obama has before stated that he can handle more than one thing at a time.

I don't believe that he will be farming out his foreign policy.

To say that is to underestimate Obama's intelligence, and his readyness to get the entire job done starting from day one.

If he needed someone to "pinch hit" for him in Foreign policy, Joe Biden is more than qualified to run that part of President's job without Obama selecting Hillary Clinton.

To be honest, Hillary Clinton really isn't necessarily most qualified for the job, so the Foreign policy piece of Obama's presidency is not going to be surrendered to Hillary Clinton. She will not be using her own voice in the stead of that of Obama's.

In fact, it is posts like this that are making me write another letter to Barack Obama telling him that too many voters, if he picks Hillary Clinton, are going to believe that somehow Hillary is the new Dick Cheney.

[Skwmom]

10. Appoint her? More like it was what the Clintons were able to negotiate.

They couldn't get VP but they got State.

Per the NY Times in July Bolton predicted Clinton would get the state department. No wonder the Neocons are happy.

This whole Obama wasn't happy with the usual candidates (Richardson and Kerry) so he sought out Clinton stinks to high heaven.

Obama who is no drama Obama and known for being cautious picking Hillary Clinton? No way.

Yeah, I'm sure she'll do wonders being an honest broker in the Middle East.

Obama will not be able to fire her which gives the Clintons an ENORMOUS amount of power.

[sufrommich]

16. You hysterical explanations for why Obama picked

Hillary Clinton become more shrill and ridiculous by the minute.

[Bake]

30. Obama won't be able to fire her? Are you kidding?

Ever heard the phrase, "I serve at the pleasure of the President?"

Bake

[Life Long Dem]

12. Hilallary wants Obama!

:fistbump: :bounce:

[Thrill]

13. She just needs to push the Presidents Agenda. If he says talk to Iran. She needs to do it

Whether she thinks she should or not.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. The problem with this logic is that Obama has been right on every major

issue of foreign policy, from Iraq to Iran (unilateral talks), to Afghanistan/Pakistan (hunt for bin Laden); whereas, it has been Hillary who has been wrong on these issues: still not apologizing for her IWR vote; not reading the NIE; voting against Levin-Reed; wanting to 'obliterate' Iran when they seem open to diplomatic talks; saying nothing about Afghanistan or Pakistan and calling Obama 'naive' when he has been proven right on all these things.

That's the difference. The claim that she is somehow more knowledgeable because she's been around longer is absurd. This is about judgment. Dick Cheney and John McCain have been around much longer than either of them and their judgment is FLAWED, even criminal. This is about judgment!

[grantcart]

15. Also apparently Hillary Clinton has a learning defect

She never learned the meaning of 'no' 'give up' 'can't' and 'don't bother'


When she hears these words they have no impact on her.


When she is Secretary of State and is pursuing the objectives of the Obama administration foriegn leaders will have a hard time ignoring her or stopping her. She will be the energizer bunny of Secretaries of State.

[Think82]

17. I wonder how she and Joe Biden will interact with BO over fp decisions.

As far as I know, Biden has forgotten more about fp than Hillary will ever know, but Hill has star power, but also has a tremendous independence. This will be interesting...

I think it will ultimately be Barack's decision on all matters. Hillary has earned a position in the cabinet because she really stepped up after barack won the nomination. I'm just wondering how fp decisions will be made in the inner circle...

[Mass]

18. Even if he intends to focus on domestic issues (which was not my impression) his VP is one

of the most competent person in the country for foreign affairs. Nobody in the world would think that they need the Clintons to have a strong commitment for foreign affairs.

In addition, from what I can see from Spanish and French newspapers in the French and Spanish, the only interest generated by the announce of Hillary potential SoS is the same insane curiosity that we have in this country (How will Bill hurt her). So, I am sure that Obama will have his reasons if he choses her, but I do not think this is your reason.

[LynneSin]

20. VP also has his own job assignments which is why there are two separate

positions for VP and Secretary of State.

And just because this VP is very knowledgeable in foreign relations does NOT mean that's all Joe is doing.

[Mass]

21. Thanks for stating the obvious. Does not mean that the hypothesis of the OP is correct.

IMHO, it is ludicrous. There are many other people who could have fit the role and do not come with the Clinton drama attached. And be sure the rest of the world is as addicted to the Clinton drama than this country is.

The OP says:

Yet, at the same time, given the many problems in the world, Obama needs to underscore that the U.S. is committed to its foreign policy.

My point was that naming Joe Biden showed this commitment. Even though Biden will not be SoS, only idiots would think he will not be a full time partner at the table when it comes to these issues (and of course, there is no doubt Obama will care as well).

[LynneSin]

24. The only Clinton Drama is here at DU and some over at Free Republic

But I go out into reality and I talk to many people who think Clinton would be great.

We create the drama, not Hillary.

I think she'll be wonderful - Obama made a good choice, one that the rest of the world will appreciate too.

[politicasista]

33. Yep. While good people may be lost in the fog

I hope Obama will remember them.

[Triana]

22. They were pretty similar in their policies. In that regard....

...I think they'll get along just fine.

[Voice for Peace]

23. I've been thinking also about her effect on international women's rights...

this could be very significant.

also please see:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7907512&mesg_id=7907512

Link to an excellent review of "Team of Rivals" posted w/a few brief notable excerpts

[Better Believe It]

25. Hillary Will Have The Ear of President Obama? I Don't Think So

"Hillary Clinton is someone with a voice in her own right, who will certainly have the ear of the President."

Yes .... and Hillary will be shouting into them as she and Bill Clinton attempt to dictate foreign policy to the "inexperienced" Obama.

She likes being the boss and won't easily accept orders she disagrees with. The only question is, how much will Hillary and William be able to undermine Obama's foreign policy and authority.

That is not change we can believe in.

[genna]

26. Disagree wholeheartedly. He already said he'd be involved neck deep in foreign affairs

The economy failing here and around the world.

Jobs. Either he is going to grow a green economy by himself or he is going to go to nations who have started down this track already.

Torture. How far he go with that?

Middle East peace. He seemed to say he wanted Jerusalem to be undivided capitol. That in and of itself, will keep Americans embroiled in the Palestinian question for the rest of his administration.


I could name more, but is it really necessary.

[I LUV DEM]

28. clinton failed 2 make peace in the middle east

a new face is better

[cali]

32. what? Still here and not under your grotty bridge?

and sorry pumpkin, it takes the willingness of the parties involved to make peace. and bill isn't the asswipe who tore up the mideast with his illegal war. that would be your president, trollypoo.

[Barack_America]

35. Your post is a little contradictory.

Obama wants to take foreign policy seriously, but due to his domestic policy interests is looking to punt the job to someone else?

-or-

Obama wants to focus on domestic policy but give the appearance of being interested in foreign policy

Could you clarify what your argument is?

Also, the area where they probably differed the most was foreign policy. They had considerable issues agreeing on foreign policy during the primaries (i.e. Iraq timetable or no, preconditions or no, etc.)

[Onlooker]

36. Obama won't have the time for both

Actually, the model may well be Bill Clinton, who concentrated on domestic policy during his first term at the expense of foreign policy. I think Obama is committed to reestablishing our foreign relations, but he simply won't have the time to do what is necessary. By appointing someone high profile like Hillary as SoS, Obama can be excused from doing extensive foreign travel and spending inordinate amounts of time working the foreign political crowd.

And, while you're right they had some disagreements on foreign policy, I really think it was mostly political posturing. They had to have disagreements in order to distinguish themselves from one another. I think Hillary is as liberal as Obama (but I don't think she's as effective a political leader as he is and I also think she's a political cynic, as most of our leaders have been since Kennedy).

[Barack_America]

37. Ah, I see.

And I agree that Hillary would be seen as an acceptable substitute to most foreign countries, thus saving Obama time. But, even if that were the reasoning behind the choice, I'd have to wonder, wouldn't Biden be viewed as a similarly acceptable substitute?

[bvar22]

38. Has everyone missed the obvious?

Appointing Hillary as SoS completely neuters her politically.
Hillary will have plenty of camera time, but she totally sacrifices her independence.
She will no longer have HER voice in the Senate.
In fact, she an no longer pursue HER issues and agenda.
She can no longer publicly criticize Obama's agenda.
She can no longer campaign.
She can no longer take donations.
She can no longer represent the Clinton Machine.

How very smart of Obama.
Machiavelli would be proud.