DISQUS

bridgit · 1 year ago

PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA!!!
DON'T DO THIS!!!!
DO NOT TRUST SENATOR CLINTON TO HAVE YOUR BACK!
ARRRRRRGGGGGGGH!

wonder6789 · 1 year ago

Given Hillary's total complicity with Bush/Cheney for the past 7 years,
Given her Rovian campaign of race-baiting, fear-mongering, lies and bankrupcy,
I cannot imagine how Obama could possibly think she is the person for Secretary of State.

I believe all this media hype of the past week is Clinton-machine noise to intimidate him into choosing her.
And I don't think it will work. He is too smart and level-headed to fall for that. He is no McCain.

TheHeretik · 1 year ago

some Obama loyalists wonder whether the same people who attacked Obama on foreign policy during the primaries can implement Obama’s agenda from State Dept. perches. . . . That is an understatement.

Larry Senechal · 1 year ago

I fear deja vu all over again if Clinton is to be Secretary of State. Perhaps it's my advanced age but I don't remember the Clinton administration for its plethora of Foreign Policy achievements. And I don't recall Senator Clinton being an outspoken critic, leader, or original thinker on foreign policy issues while in the Senate. Perhaps this makes political sense on some level, but for the purpose of developing a new strategic shift in foreign policy I don't see it happening. I sincerely hope I am proved wrong but my 'crap detector' is going off like a geiger counter on the wisdom of this appointment.

mythster · 1 year ago

I'm pretty "advanced" myself and personally I don't think Hillary Clinton knows as much about foreign policy as her husband does and based on the accomplishments of his administration in the area of foreign relations - that's not much at all.

Hawaiianstyle · 1 year ago

The more things change the more they stay the same.

How sad.

Robert · 1 year ago

Once announced as President Elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of State and before her Senate confirmation Hillary Clinton will begin to publically reinvent herself. She will clearly demonstrate her readiness and willingness to serve her country as Secretary of State under President Obama and will present her vision and indicate what her approach and her goals will be as head of the State Department. I can only wonder if the new Hillary will sport a new hairdo and wardrobe as well.

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Charlie · 1 year ago

During the primaries, the Clinton campaign asked foreign policy experts to remain “exclusive” to Hillary (meaning they could not also offer advice to other candidates). That’s not an unreasonable position, even if the other leading candidates (including Obama) chose not to follow suit. I know many people in the foreign policy community who volunteered for the Clinton campaign because they thought she was the best candidate. But I also know a few who, because of ambition, felt that they had to work for her even though they preferred another candidate. When Obama ultimately won, all of them were welcomed by his campaign and integrated into Obama’s existing campaign apparatus.

If Hillary were to become Secretary of State, I presume that she, like most Secretaries, would be given significant leeway in picking most (if not all) of her senior advisors (meaning in the case of State the two Deputy Secretaries, the Under Secretaries, and those Assistant Secretary postions not assigned to career foreign service officers). It would be logical (and not unreasonable) to conclude that she probably would favor those who served her during the primaries.

But doing so could create two problems. First, the team of rivals could turn into rival fiefdoms, with Obama supporters dominating the NSC (and Defense) and Clinton supporters dominating State. Given the fact that the next Administration urgently needs to reintegrate State into existing foreign policy structures (and give it the resources both to achieve its mission and play a more robust role in intra-agency negotiations), Obama needs to end existing inter-agency rivalries, not create new ones.
Spencer, I couldn't agree more -- especially since I made meany of the same points four days ago in my blog (and for the record, I'm not suggesting anything other than you should read it):

Second, there was no love lost among the two camps’ advisors during the primaries. The Clintons attacked those it viewed as disloyal (such as Bill Richardson and Gregory Craig), which angered many in the Obama campaign. In addition, I heard from more than one friend that they were warned that they could forget about a role in a Clinton administration should they not support Hillary during the primaries. Given those realities, Obama risks angering those who did support him, and some of his supporters may regard Hillary’s likely selection of her loyalists to senior posts as a betrayal.

You can find the whole thing here: http://www.undiplomatic.net/2008/11/17/hillary-...

I appreciate that you and Yglesias and others have been doing this for a while, and I'm a fan of yours (and his) work. But it might be nice to go out in the world and see what some of us newbies are thinking as well.

In the meantime, keep up the extraordinarily good work.

chris c (NYC) · 1 year ago

Jesus Christ i'm so sick of all this crap talk. Can someone answer me this. Should Obama not hire the most qualified person to do a job only because they may have worked for the clinton admin. I don't care who they worked for as long as they are the best person for the job. I mean its crazy that people would rather have someone with less experience only because they never worked for clinton. Also Obama is the end all be all. Clinton can not do a thing without his approval and he can over ride her if she gets out of hand. again Obama has proved that he surrounds himself with the best people, just look at his run for pres. how bout we let the guy get sworn in. people are knocking the guy and he doesn't even have power yet. if a year from now theses people are not working out then fine, blast him. but lets all sit back and see how he does.. it looks like there were a lot of bandwagon supporters out there.

George Wolf · 1 year ago

If people, whether foreign policy "experts" or from other fields of study and endeavor, signed up with the Obama campaign in order to land prestigious jobs, and are now concerned that they might be sidelined by Clinton "loyalists" should Hillary become secretary of state, they were in the WRONG PEOPLE IN THE WRONG PLACE! Obama deserved to be elected because of what he could bring to the nation's benefit, not because his election could provide someone with a prestigious job. Hillary will be a spectacular secretary of state, and if she brings with her some people from her own circle, that will in no way diminish her luster or her potential accomplishments. The naysayers need to shut up and let the president-elect decide whom he consider best qualified and who will best represent his own thinking.

Kristy · 1 year ago

I thought about what you said and i agree with you. It like saying, they were in it just for the money. they act like he owe's them. and he doesnt' say what you want. if your not the right person, your not the right person. to tell you the truth i think people love to hate on the Clintons. they can't help it. so no matter what they will always have something bad to say about her. I feel sorry for them

tchanta · 1 year ago

That's not the point.
I supported Obama because he did not follow the "Conventional Wisdom". If people like Powers and Rice are pushed aside, Obama will be 4 more of the same: same hawkish, shoot first and think later, foreign policy.

eliot99 · 1 year ago

This quickly turning into a Clinton third term. Sad.

bullwinkler · 1 year ago

Yeah wouldn't want all that peace and prosperity coming back would we. Sheesh.
Obama doesn't strike me as the kind of person who is going to give over decision making to someone else. She is a solid choice, known and liked in many countries around the world. I think it's paranoid to think she will be setting up some sort of 'shadow government' that would undermine Barack.

eliot99 · 1 year ago

Shadow government? Who mentioned that? Great media catch phrase, but not part of this conversation.

And yeah, the peace and prosperity came with a price tag too. Scandal, controversy, back biting and impeachment. THAT was what I was referring too. And, try to remember the bad as well as the good.

mexdiva · 1 year ago

I was traveling around the world when the 'scandal, controversy and impeachment' happened and everywhere and everyone was on Clinton side and blaming all on the American public to devoted all the energy in undermining their president while helping the neo-cons the path to power.

Outside of this country no one accused Clinton on wrongdoing as a President but as a husband. And of course, we all agreed that his conduct was wrong but not as wrong as the illegal war promoted by W. Why do the public this time demand impeachment?

When Clinton lies nobody dies. Remember.

eliot99 · 1 year ago

Sadly that seems to have become the litmus test for lying. if no one dies is A.O.K.

Figerre · 1 year ago

Cutting Samantha Powers loose after an untoward remark about Sen Clinton was, I think, a mistake. She is a thoughtful and global thinker. I am not sure Clinton is. I do expect her to march to the Obama drummer, but I also am inclined to wonder who she will bring into State, her crowd, or Obama's. that will be telling as to who will be the boss.

RAA13 · 1 year ago

I am not surprised that Hillary accepted the offer but I am shocked that the offer was ever made in the first place. There are significant differences on foreign policy between Barack and Hillary and she did criticize him for saying that he would negotiate with the enemy without precondition. Barack was against the invasion of Iraq while Clinton supported it and she never once admitted that she had erred. Further, it is my opinion that Bill will always be in her shadow telling her which direction she should follow. He has never shown any restraint in tearing down Obama during the primaries and I suspect that he will continue to do so. Watch how Hillary will fill the Stste Dept positions with her brand of foreign policy advisers. Her acceptance may indicate that she is power hungry or that she believes she can control the agenda. Can she torpedo Barack's objectives? He is playing a dangerous game in this transition and I can see problems ahead for him. Can he fire her if she gets out of line?

sam · 1 year ago

I am not concerned about Foreign policy anymore. I am sure who ever President Elect Obama chooses will be right for the job. I am worried about our ECONOMY.

LMN · 1 year ago

HRC ran a lousy campaign for healthcare reform and a not great presidential campaign, what on earth makes people think she would be effective as Secty of State. Maybe she learned something during the campaign about listening and effectiveness although I doubt it. I am sorry we have to be subjected to her again.

Fya · 1 year ago

She better not undermine him. She'll have hell to pay if she does

Achilles - Las Vegas · 1 year ago

I can't believe I am reading this! At this critical time for the country, when the President Elect needs all the help he can get to fulfill his promises to the american public, these so called "supporters" of President Elect Obama are questioning his wisdom and judgment because they're concerned about being "frozen out" of jobs in the state department?????
And since when did support for a candidate guaranteed job placement?
Both President Elect Obama and Senator Clinton are intelligent enough to know what's at stake here, please give them credit for that.

Fya · 1 year ago

I trust OBAMA, I don't trust her or her staff.

tall drink · 1 year ago

same her

CGH · 1 year ago

Agreed.

bobilore · 1 year ago

Why oh why isn't WES CLARK the slam dunk pick for Sec'y of STATE??? I want to know that. No one else possesses the rare combination of skills and attributes for the position than he does.
AND HILLARY KNOWS IT. This article says it all - that Barack Obama is about to make his first real mistake. No one is perfect, we all knew he would make one eventually. I just so desperately wish it wasn't THIS ONE. State is too important to the big picture and we progressive thinkers have such a golden opportunity to change the world and our place in it so much for the better. I can't believe this is happening.

Americano · 1 year ago

Obama in Clinton has a super Secretary of State to represent Aermica. Hillary has the contact and respect Obama does not have at this time. Yes, overtime he will achieve those needed qualities. But for now, he needs them today. That is why Clinton is the ideal SS. Obama, is hiring the best. He cannot micro manage in today's environment coupled with the many issues on the table left open by the incompetent Bush administration!.

mmmmk · 1 year ago

with clinton(s) in the white house obama will finish like foster

bullwinkler · 1 year ago

The Secretary of State doesn't make foreign policy. She will have input but final decisions are left to the President. Calm down. She is a representative of the President to other countries, she has no independent functions in contacting foreign government or negotiating with them. Didn't anyone ever take a civics course.

bobilore · 1 year ago

How naive. Perhaps ALL you took was a civics course.

srod · 1 year ago

I am sickened by this article and by MOST of the people commenting... IF Obama asked her, do we NOT trust his judgment? isnt that why we all voted for him? Its HIS decision! Believe in our new leader.

Also, people just love to dig into Hillary Clinton with no real basis.. to the people that are saying she ran a lousy campaign .. umm hello! she ALMOST beat Obama... For those that think she has some kinda of crazy Clinton agenda that she wants to push through its just ridiculous. She campaigned heavily for Obama after the primaries (and to those who question her motives.. Hillary Clinton is NOT afraid to state her mind and confront her enemies. Obama is NOT her enemy!)

Obama is appointing people from the Clinton Admin as well as others... trust his judgment and believe in the future of our country. WHERE DID ALL THE HOPE GO???

bobilore · 1 year ago

I like Hillary a lot but she owes millions of dollars to Mark Penn. What was it he did for her and her campaign? Oh yeah, he helped sink it. And SHE chose him. She may have won had she run a more
progressive campaign. So now who will she chose to bring into the State Dept.? Sure I trust Barack
but everyone makes mistakes and I just don't want his to be THIS ONE! I agree they are not enemies. That's setting the bar very low indeed for a position with such enormous potential as State.

Solidarity Dude · 1 year ago

It is easy to see on this thread Obama's challenge. There is as much hate speech spewing about a fellow Democrat as for some Cheney associate. Maybe more. Already the purists are accusing O of betrayal just as many Democrats in the 90's were quick to undercut BC because he did not do all they felt he should. There is a total fiscal mess in this country. The basic social contract that preceded Reagan has been shredded. Foreign policy is probably our easiest problem - just not being Bush is a major step forward. In foreign policy Hillary and O had almost no disagreements. That is why this was not a hard decision. A whole lot more patience, tolerance and graciousness is going to be needed if we want to be real Obama supporters and not demanding partisans looking for a piece of the pie.

vht · 1 year ago

Its amazing that the same people who said they had confidence in his ability to make decisions now question this decision. He is smarter than you! Believe it. He is putting the country back on track. In fact his choice shows he is not petty unlike many of us. Those of you who do not realize that HRC is much more qualified now than 16 years ago must not believe that people learn from their mistakes and improve with time. Set aside your feelings and realize all sides must come together or we will not make it. The most important person is Obama, he will be the one in the driver's seat. He is just building an engine with quality and power. He doesn't need to reinvent the wheel as some of you would like, he just needs to roll it in a new direction.

srod · 1 year ago

thank you vht!!

runnerin1 · 1 year ago

agreed

Sandra S · 1 year ago

As First Lady, Hillary Clinton travelled the world and was well-liked and respected. I believe she will be an excellent Secretary of State. This is a time of change for all - and if the Old Guard, whether Republican or Democrat, don't like it - well, they'll get over it.

bobilore · 1 year ago

it's the new guard that don't like it

Sandra S · 1 year ago

In addition, all blog postings, here and elsewhere, are opinions, no more and no less. I agree that Obama is smart enough to know what he's doing, and that is why he is the 44th POTUS. And IMO, Hillary Clinton is an experienced, qualified person, with the courageous mettle to handle all challenges as Secretary of State. We should be glad people of the calibre of Obama, the Clintons, and others are willing to take on these challenges. Just remember what the world has become under the hands of incompetent, corrupt Rethugs.

Linda Lee · 1 year ago

Get over it people. Obama is a big boy and HE will be the President.

Francis Hansen · 1 year ago

As a long time ardent supporter of Barack Obama, and someone who is surrounded by ultra conservative Republican friends and family members, I had 2 long years of extensive arguments with everyone I had a conversation with about the wisdom of electing Obama and making a significant change in Washington's foreign policy approach and our countries standing in the world.

I emigrated to this great country from Europe 28 years ago and have seen this country's perception around the world get worse until it reached absolute rock bottom in the last few years.
My excitement about Obama was based upon his open view of engaging our rivals without preconditions. My progressive thinking might be due to my old world heritage but I think this approach is the only viable way to secure a better peaceful order in the new world.

He simply had the courage to say that talking to our enemy is the better way, not running away from our historic responsibilities of working for a settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict or creating inhumane wars in Iraq (a country which was always on our side under the rule of Saddam Hussein).

Hillary Clinton's pick for Secretary of State was a real chock to me. I cannot think of the logic behind such a pick from a man who had proclaimed not to have much in common with Hillary's policy in the middle east. The Clintons had previously proved on multiple occasions their weak knowledge of foreign affairs especially as pertaining to Iraq and Israel. Hillary's unyielding loyalty to her staunch pro-Israel backers make her an impossible emissary of peace in the middle east.

Good buy for the prospect of changing the evil world we live in. Good buy to accomplishing a lasting peace with Iran, ending the disastrous war in Iraq, or concluding the injustices of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hopefully Clinton would find some other good deeds she can attain in other parts of the world.

Believe Again · 1 year ago

Excuse me everybody but if Sen Clinton should do anything contrary to what the president wants that is of course if she is actually named as the pick for SOS, she can always be fired. This is not like the Senate job where you are elected, you are either useful or you are not. I do not believe Pres Obama will stand for it, should it happen. She is hardworking and can really be an asset if she so chooses and thus ensure her own legacy, I have supported Pres Obama from the primaries to the general election and will caution everyone to wait, until each potential nominee is actually nominated by the president elect, confirmed by the senate or congress and actually see how effective they are before passing judgement. It is always a lot easier to be side sit or back sit driving.
You know some of the people we might all want to see in these posts might have been great contenders and may have been the pick except that perhaps there is something in their background that they will not want to come out.
Finally each cabinet post has at least upto 20 or more people qualified for it. Thus you know what they say about demand and supply. If you mess up, there are 20 or more other qualified people just waiting quite nicely to take over the post. So I honestly do not think these guys will be 'Stupid' enough to do that. I believe many of you will agree that Senator Hillary Clinton is anything but stupid. However you never know - I dare them to try though :-)

Gale · 1 year ago

I can just imagine the furor and fuss if Obama had to fire her. Mind you, if you have to consider the effect of firing someone before you even hire him/her . . .

Believe Again · 1 year ago

Yes but that keeps everyone in check, its like the no drama conversation Obama had with his campaign staff at the beginning of the campaign. He told them clearly Drama Kings and Queens are not welcome. He might not use the same language with this group but he will probably let them know he will not be afraid to fire anyone who is not with the program. This is why they got the job to work on his policies after concensus agreement on what they should be.
That way when they step out of line he can say hey I did tell you, you will be packing your bags should you decide to go off on a one man or woman mission instead of a team mission.

jon hill · 1 year ago

The State department is broken -- marginalized in a process that began in the days of Nixon and Kissinger and has, hopefully, finally ended. State needs reorganization and re-purposing on a massive scale -- and the task is far more professional than political.

Who better to accomplish that goal?

bobilore · 1 year ago

Retired four-star General Wesley Clark. Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Wes Clark.
Wes Clark knows how to reorganize and re-purpose on a massive scale and to extricate our country from the disastrous military/foreign policy of Cheney & Bush Inc. We will need someone of his caliber leading the tough diplomacy that Barack has talked about. Our Allies will be delighted and our adversaries will stand at attention like for no one else.

jon hill · 1 year ago

Ok -- but I think the idea is also to de-militarize State and send a clear message that diplomacy comes first...

bobilore · 1 year ago

Non-military civilians, (Cheney & Bush) totally militarized our government. We are blessed to have a brilliant progressive with military experience, who has seen the horrors of war (shot several times in combat), and has proclaimed loudly that diplomacy must come first and military force must always be a last resort. That is what we need at State.
That is what will get us out of Iraq the quickest and most gracefully. Unlike Hillary, Wes Clark was against the Iraq war from the start. He doesn't have to prove he is strong and act all hawkish like Hillary has so no one will accuse her of being girly and soft. Clark wont have that problem which gives him much more room to do the tough progressive diplomacy we all voted for Obama to see happen.

s · 1 year ago

This is all hypothetical verbiage. Give the public a break.

Hazel · 1 year ago

Agree

joscallinet · 1 year ago

I am concerned that Hillary Rodham Clinton, bright and capable as she may be, has too much baggage hanging around her neck to be an effective Secretary of State.

Linda from Huntington Beach · 1 year ago

Enough with the carping about Clinton and potential Clintonian machiations if she becomes Secretary of State. Collin Powell's fate demonstrates what happens to Secretaries who don't agree with their bosses. I'm sure Senator Clinton gets it. Fortunately, the President-elect is smart enough to understand the value HRC will bring to this position. He is correct that she will get off the ground running - fortunately for us.

katinpuyallup · 1 year ago

I agree. Both Hillary and Bill are well liked over seas, they start out with plusses. Obama is strong enough to handle both of them. If Hillary can't promote her bosse's agenda rather than her own or learn how to manage the department - she's out. And not even a senator any more.

joscallinet · 1 year ago

Here is a commentary on the potential for serious regrets that Barack Obama may come to have if he appoints Hillary Rodham Clinton to be our next Secretary of State. This commentary was written by Georgie Anne Geyer, a syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. and appeared in today's (Friday, November 21, 2008) edition of the Chicago Tribune newspaper:

I am quite concerned - and would hate to see Barack Obama end up regretting his decision to appoint her, if in fact he does so. Geyer's comment appears below, and is worth a careful read:

THE SAME OLD SUSPECTS

Georgie Anne Geyer

November 21, 2008

WASHINGTON — For these last two years, the picture we have had of our president-elect has been, without exception, that of a gentleman, proud yet humble, with an inner centeredness.

Moreover, he surrounded himself with people who seemed much like him.

But now we have moved to the second act. Now we are into the naming of his first real Cabinet members and closest White House advisers. And any sensible person simply has to wonder, "What in the very devil is going on?"

Instead of creating that "government of unity" that he talked about and positioning the best people for the jobs at hand around him, Barack Obama is, quite incredibly, appointing some of the nastiest people in Washington and bringing into his administration some of those least-talented for the special jobs at hand.

He has begun filling up his administration not with new faces of 2008 but with old visages that we've been seeing since the politically correct cultural revolution of 1968 turned the Democrats into a far and eternally losing left—exactly what many of the voters who went for Obama thought they were leaving behind.

We've already gone over Rahm Emanuel, an amply talented man, but with one of the dirtiest mouths in Washington, as Obama's chief of staff. But far more important is that, at least as of this writing, it looks very much as though Obama's rival in the primaries (some would say "enemy"), the indomitable Hillary Clinton, will be appointed secretary of state.

Now let's agree that the world is in one hell of a mess and that we can't afford experiments. Let's also agree that Clinton is a very talented and dedicated woman. But I have to look far to find any positive commitments of hers on foreign policy.

She voted for the Iraq War (while Obama was elected mostly because of his stance against the war). She pushed her husband not to attack the awful Bosnian massacres because it would call attention away from her health plan, which, of course, turned out disastrously.

In her helter-skelter and foolishly spendthrift campaign, she showed that she is one of the worst managers in politics, while one of the major chores of the new secretary will be to reorganize the American Foreign Service. A landmark report shows that the service will demand nearly 50 percent more diplomats in the near future and is overwhelmed by the extent to which the U.S. military is, in the wake of the Iraq War, taking over foreign policy. She has shown that her financial sense is woefully lacking—exactly what would she do at the State Department to pay off her $7.6 million debt from her losing campaign?

It is also curious that, in article after article about the Clinton "leak," her talents or non-talents were little mentioned. Instead, it was Bill Clinton who was, again, focused on. Would he—could he—ever really stand in the background, given his "expressive" personality? Would his questionable business dealings with countries all over the world interfere with his wife's work as secretary? How much would he—would both of them—outshine even someone as shining as Obama?

It is rather fun to think of Bill Clinton having to answer question No. 8 on the questionnaire for both candidates and their spouses aspiring to positions in the Obama administration, which reads, "Briefly describe the most controversial matters you have been involved with during the course of your career." Where on earth would Bill Clinton begin?

Then you have the next rumor going around Washington, which is that Ambassador Richard Holbrooke would be Hillary Clinton's special representative, perhaps to the Middle East. Holbrooke is an enormously able man, and he was among the few who spoke out against the Bosnian massacres of the 1990s, but he is one of the least-liked people in Washington, hardly fitting into Obama's original "united, we stand" promises of amity and comity during the campaign.

Finally, we come to the real question: Why, when there are so many able people around—from Sen. Chuck Hagel to Ambassador Chris Hill to Gov. Bill Richardson—go out on these perverse limbs to pick people with so many negatives? Is it possible that the president-elect, with all he knows about people, does not know that a secretary of state needs to always—always—be seen overseas as his representative and the spokesperson of his foreign policy ideas, and not her own or, God forbid, her husband's?

Everyone is saying that the president-elect has become fascinated by Abraham Lincoln's idea of assembling a "team of rivals" in his Cabinet. But, in truth, especially with today's immediate threats, that is more intellectually cutesy than practical. The American people didn't vote for Obama to then find the people they voted against in the positions most closely surrounding him. If his choices continue along these lines, he will be starting out, in this terribly difficult time, with a lot of the fates arrayed unnecessarily, and indeed by his own invitation, neatly against him.



Georgie Anne Geyer is a syndicated columnist based in Washington.

Gigi_geyer@juno.com

Heidi Preston · 1 year ago

I agree, it's like Ahmad Chalabi (the feeder for getting us involved in Iraq which Bill Clinton supported) said...."it doesn't matter how they (Americans) got here, the point is that they are here now." He (Obama ) will regret this one in the long run, there's nothing good or rightous here. Just my opinion.

lynne · 1 year ago

The media is obsessed with this subject. Hillary is going to be a good, maybe great SOS. The media was wrong about Hillary's speech at the convention, wrong about her campaigning for Obama, wrong about Bill's speech at the convention, wrong about his campaigning for Obama. I expect the media to be wrong about this. We voted for Obama because he is a strong, smart leader. Now believe it. If he were not a strong leader, he couldn't work with such strong people. Now if the d--- media types would just back off and let it work.

Nancy · 1 year ago

H Clinton is a fraud and an egotist. Obama will NOT be able to trust her. She does NOT represent change. SHE WILL TROT AROUND THE WORLD WITH HER SORT OF HUSBAND AND BE A SHADOW GOV'T MAKING HER OWN POLICIES. I can't believe he would want her in such a sensitive position. I worked hard for him and will be verrrry disappointed if and it appears when he picks the Dragon Lady !!!!!

james · 1 year ago

interesting that samantha power is mentioned here; a much better choice for secretary of state than the self-serving MRS Clinton who has shown how far one can go on mediocrity and the right connections.

Heidi Preston · 1 year ago

I love this aricle "speaks off the record","no one would comment on record"....this is journalism? More like gossip. 1. The Saudi's will be happy to have a continuation of the Bush lineage. How much money did they give the Clinton Library? Oh, well you can only do so much then it's just sit back and roll your eyes.

Cher · 1 year ago

I think we all have to hold our noses and hold our breath.

JordanP · 1 year ago

I am disgusted that Clinton would be chosen as Secretary of State. I can't belive I busted my butt and left my family for a month and a half for this kind of change. This is why you don't believe politicians.

hanae · 1 year ago

Obama will fire Mrs. Clinton if she tries to undermine him. It's that simple.

HCP · 1 year ago

I'd like to see Mrs. Obama let loose on HRC if she chooses to undermine or cross the President. That would be very interesting.....

Nancy · 1 year ago

Are you Kidding??? With all of her devious characteristics and dishonest ways, he'd have to have a smoking gun to get rid of the Dragon Lady !!!!! Even if he did, remember Vince Foster and the missingWhite Water papers? She's evil !!!!
reply

mars · 1 year ago

All you Hillary haters need to get a grip. I voted for BO, and have never been a big Hillary fan but...she's smart, she's extremely capable, AND SHE"S NOT SETTING POLICY. She works for BO and will be carrying out his policies.

This "Barack's appointing all the same old, same old" is juvenile bullshit. There are a lot of capable Dems out there, and yes, the most experienced of them worked in the last Dem admin. If suddenly, boobs like Mark Penn and Terry McAulliffe and Janet Reno show up in the Cabinet, then I'm with you, but until then I'll relax.

Sydney Saidyan · 1 year ago

Who is recruiting whom? Senator Clinton’s surrogates are spreading rumors, hoping that they might persuade the President-elect to cave-in and go “with the flow”.

As a supporter of the President-elect, and a proud donor, it would be a tremendous mistake to appoint her to such a sensitive post. From her statement suggesting to "totally obliterate” Iran, to her confusing stance on the Dubai Port Deal, she has left many bitter memories in the mind of those whose friendship and trust we are seeking.

Her appointment would undermine the message of change the President-elect has promised the voters. The push from her allies for this appointment, including Henry Kissinger’s latest praise, is a plot to ensure that similar hawkish foreign policies will continue as before, in opposition of the promised and proposed foreign policies.

In such a case, her removal, or firing, would become a Hollywood-style scandalous divorce, coined and sensationalized as “fire-gate”, to weaken the entire administration, opening doors for her to run in 2012.

Illustrated by her countless attacks during the primaries (the 3:00 O’clock call) and repeated arrogant comments by the former President on her behalf, the Clintons have their own agendas to work with, far more superior, in their mind, than those of this “new and untested” President. Mrs. Clinton would undermine the President and his leadership, running a “Clintonian” shadow foreign policy on the side by ignoring the President’s directives, to insidiously weaken his overall goals.

Proud Independent voter, who VOTED for President Obama.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/ma...

miguelobrien · 1 year ago

Samantha Power, like most brilliant people whose intelligence and erudition compels them to blurt out the truth at times, was absolutely correct. Hillary Clinton is a monster. And a war criminal, to boot. Proof, you want proof? The raving endorsement by Kissinger, the major war criminal of our generation.

I have better things to do tonight than lay out the facts, but I beg all of you to do your homework. It is the first travesty of our new administration. I do not blame Mr. Obama; he was obviously put up against the wall by the Clinton mafia. They are so good at what they do because they are a part of Bushco and the Bilderberg Group.

How can I express my disgust, realizing that the same ole same ole is going to prevail?

People, please try to understand what an Arab sheik would feel like, having to deal with a fatass blondie from the US who is telling him what to do. Just the same as a black woman telling him what to do. It may be real cool here in the US back in the USSR tp elevate women to prominence, but to send them over there is to impose our culture on theirs. Simply stupid.

I wish I could help you all do some research on her. Sicko father, minister, college power hypocrisy. How can I get some sanity and facts into this dialogue?

Hazel · 1 year ago

Oh yee of little faith, believe in the man and wait and see.

Bushfatigue · 1 year ago

Richard Holbrooke, was a more fervent Iraq war supporter than many neo-cons, said Hilary would be quicker to use military force than Bill, and he practically wets his pants every time the subject of Iran comes up, and he's Hilary's top foreign policy adviser--god spare us more neo-liberal, hysterically pro-Israel policies. Unfortunately, that' s just what we'll get with Clinton and her inner circle of DLC advisors. Anyone for incinerating Iran??

theorwells · 1 year ago

I agree with you, katinpuyallup (and I'm writing from Seattle, so I do know how to say 'Puyallup'). But let's remember, that if Hillary does get removed for Not promoting Obama's agenda rather than her Own or fails to effectively manage the State Dept.---the one who at this time stands most likely to take over her job would be Bill Richardson---and he's just been named to head up Commerce! It be an easy transition for him to take over Hillary's job, given his experience. And how does this rein in Hillary? She knows that if she decides to take the State Dept. down her own roads rather than the Obama team's paths---her chief rival for the job, Richardson, is waiting in the wings to take the job from her (and Bill Clinton!) A nice piece of Machiavellian clockwork by Obama and his team---perhaps reflecting the Mach. input of Rahm Emmanuel .

hipocampelofantocame · 1 year ago

theorwells: One of the most insightful comments that I've read today; made me feel better.

Hazel · 1 year ago

My thoughts exactly, Clinton can always be removed.

Nancy · 1 year ago

Are you Kidding??? With all of her devious characteristics and dishonest ways, he'd have to have a smoking gun to get rid of the Dragon Lady !!!!! Even if he did, remember Vince Foster and the missingWhite Water papers? She's evil !!!!

BeltwayBette · 1 year ago

HRC (and President) cannot be removed once SOS. They are owed a lot of favors; they know where all the bodies are buried; and they demand total loyalty from their minions.

I pray that Mr.Obama will find a way to stop this craziness. I've, like others,invested two years of my life in his presidency. I will not believe this appointment is a done deed until i hear it from Mr. Obama's own lips.

However, if he does make this choice, I will be prepared to see lots more campaign promises fall by the wayside. And I will know that it's always just Politics As Usual.

And I will expect a one term presidency. Hill/Bill are an early Christmas gift to the Republicans. The Clintons will energize their party in 2012 like nothing else in this world could.

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

I dont think Obama owes Clinton anything. I heard on news this morning that schools & streets are being named after Obama. And this man is not in office yet. This sort of immortalizing is usually done when a person is dead. That is power. He is bigger than the Clintons. So, I think Obama is trying to tap down the drama by not responding to it. He knows the risk of picking Hillary as SOS. The problem is that he's allowing the drama to drag on for weeks. That is what so disturbing to me.. The public is thinking that its a done deal.

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

I dont think Hillary will go away quietly. A big uproar will happen if he fires her. The clintons are good at drama.

Andrew Fairhall · 1 year ago

theorwells: I agree with your analysis. Obama rose to power in Chicago with tough inside moves. He's no Bambi with knowing and doing what he has to do. I noticed some complaint about Rahm Emanuel, fact is that he is a good friend of Obama's; his having been around and being known for toughnes & smarts will serve the man he's loyal to.

Oz3472 · 1 year ago

what is it about this quote from the story that no - one seems to understand
"No one would comment for the record for this story from either the Clinton or the Obama camps. Several people were reluctant to speak even on background, whether out of an exhaustion with a dispute that has lasted for more than 18 months within the party or out of reluctance to jeopardize their own prospects for jobs with the Obama administration."
Everyone is talking through their posteriors.
If you voted for Obama because you believed and trusted in him and the change he promised- then why now are you questioning all his moves - particularly the ones have been attributed to others but not the man himself!- instead of reacting to "un-named sources" or people reluctant to speak on the record, why not wait and hear what that man you believed in only 2 weeks ago has to say!
I understand the media has nothing else to do since they can no longer recognize the difference between gossip, conjecture, self-congratulation and punditry from actual news - but I expected more from those that professed to support President elect Obama!

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

Its not that Obama supporters are fickle with trusting him who promised to bring us change. It is painfully obvious that there will be no change. Oh, change going back to the Clinton administration. But that is not the change I voted for. I might as well had voted for Hillary if this is the way he going to do things. Oh well that is last time I'll donate money to a campaign no matter how convincing the candidate.

the53rdcalypso · 1 year ago

Everything is going to be just fine. Remember the good ole days? They call them the good ole days for a reason: http://www.236.com/news/2008/11/21/7_reasons_wh...

Rags · 1 year ago

One of the earliest challenges for Obama is to bring about a durable peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians. If he does this, he will have firmly established himself as a great Statesman. To get the deal done, he requires to come down a bit heavily on the Israelis and make them see sense in not expanding further, and indeed rolling back on, settlements in Palestinian land. It is best to get this done with Hillary at the helm as she, and therefore he, Obama, does not run the risk of being accused by the right wing and the jewish-controlled media as having sold out to Palestinians/Arabs even though his intentions are otherwise thoroughly honourable. Further, with Rahm, a Jew, as his chief of staff, Obama is in the best position to achieve a peace deal which requires Israel primarily to pull back from its hard stand vis-a-vis Palestinians. Obama not just has great instincts; he is also is shrewd and I trust his judgement.

miguelobrien · 1 year ago

The photo says it all, the simple meanness. AK reader: CM BEDY IYS? SAYR. EM R BEDY IYS. Read your history, just what they did in AK will tell you enough. The Clintons are war criminals and are part of Bushco and the Bilderberg group. They and the Bushes are just like family.

So now they are letting their totem darky intp the White House. Maybe the Arabs have it right, after all: another house negro. I love and respect the man, but it now seems, every day, that he is just a pawn in their game.

Looks to me like the Clintons have power over him. And who has power over the Clintons?

Follow the money.

dnn · 1 year ago

I am a proud supporter of President-elect Obama and belong and donated to his movement of
Change. I am however, very disappointed to hear that he may be on the brink of offering Hillary Clinton the job Secretary of State. This makes me livid because to begin with, Hillary's views on foreign policy are exactly opposite of Obama's. She continually critized him on hi foreign policy and many other issues during the primaries, which gave a lot of ammunition to Mccain when she lost. She was out to destroy him. I hope he remembers this before making this dreadful mistake of making her the offer of this high office. secondly, we stuck by Obama as a candidate of change who would bring change to washington and hopefully that change would bring fresh new faces. What we are seeing in terms of appointments, is a cabinet that will look exactly like Bill Clinton's. We might as well have him as president then if Obama cannot come up with young, educated and fresh blood like him to fill up critical positions. The country's issues now require a different approach because the problems are very critical. An new and young approach to solving problems could work very well. Obama is betraying us who stuck by him through thick and thin, during abuses by Hillary and Mccain, while we donated to his campaign even as we lived from paycheck to paycheck and now he has the audacity to parade a host of Clinton personell to fill key positions in his cabinet? Is this the Change we voted for? I do not think so, infact I will quote his Hillary's quote during the primaries where she accused him of "Change we can xerox." This unfortunately ,is exactly how I feel and will hold my horses of enthusiasm and donation to the Obama movement until I see clear Change and not xeroxed change. I am disgusted and not looking
to anything that comes out this team Obama. betrayed supporter.

Darren Thomas · 1 year ago

Exactly! Well put! I'm totally with you. I was also an avid Obama supporter until he kept revealing himself to be just another politician underneath a brilliant and very inspirational veneer. He is consolidating his power base by "keeping his enemies close" (the pardoning of Joe Lieberman?). In his embrace they can't do him harm. But how much change, in fact, is possible when Obama is the only new guy? Not a lot, but Obama ingratiates himself now more to the established power structure, so that he can continue along with it, not against it. He wants to last a while. The more things change...

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

I think the Obama supporters has been hood winked. I was wondering why Obama injected his opinion regarding Lieberman, when he knew full well he was going to resign from senate & not be able to vote on the matter.

Lisa · 1 year ago

I feel exactly the same way, very disapionted! This is not the change we voted for! People like Rahm Israel Emanuel and Hillary Rodham Clinton are not the faces we hoped to see in the new administration. During the campaign Barack talked so many times about Hillary's poor judgment when she voted for the war in Iraq and now she will be his top diplomat... What a hypocricy!

Nancy · 1 year ago

Absolutely correct

H Clinton is a fraud and an egotist. Obama will NOT be able to trust her. She does NOT represent change. SHE WILL TROT AROUND THE WORLD WITH HER SORT OF HUSBAND AND BE A SHADOW GOV'T MAKING HER OWN POLICIES. I can't believe he would want her in such a sensitive position. I worked hard for him and will be verrrry disappointed if and it appears when he picks the Dragon Lady !!!!!

NavyAFRHspook · 1 year ago

Remember in high school when the one you had the fist fight with became your best friend?

Prof. Dr. S. Collymore · 1 year ago

I endorse all you say and I, too, who was with him even before he officially launched his presidential bid and have canvassed for him, organised campaigners, raised money and all the resty of it feel utterly betrayed by Barack at this appointment of Hillary Clinton as SOS. Let's not forget, she was out to destroy him, even preferring John McCain to him her own party's candidate, and will simply use her position as SOS, along with Bill and her loyalists who she will take with her to the State Department to undermine him. There are countless young and gifted, progressive people that Barack could have chosen. That he didn't shows we've all been taken for a ride.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

BeltwayBette · 1 year ago

OUr miitary personnel now face an agreement with the Iraqi government that gives the Iraqi government control over our military personnel on their soil. Even the Pentagon has voiced concern over this agreement, which has been offered to us only in the Iraqi language.No English verison is available for examination. It also includes the right to examine our incoming shipping containers and to read the mail coming from Americans to other Americans including our military.
This is an Iraqi created agreement that cries out for negotiations. If my son's life would depend on HRC installed politicies in the State Department to turn this -- and equally disturbing issues that will doubt arise, I would not be confident. The Clintons are too often tied up in their own soap operas.
WE need a calm, steady, trustworthy, experienced,.and totally loyal SOS. That isn't the Clintons.
It's not what they do.

Ted Kennedy offered HRC a plum within his own health care work "if she wants to stay in the senate", as did the Demcratic party, what does this tell us?

We need to do what Mr.Obama said in his campaign; We need to shout from the rooftops that we do not agree with him on this appointment.

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

If you think you have been betrayed, you are not alone. On my end was worst. Not only did I donate money that I could not afford to give, but I got my friends & family involved. Every time Obama campaigned or text message me to donate, I complied ! I foot patrolled the neighborhood in other states getting people out to register to vote. Stirred up folks to caucus as though their very lives depended on it. I got in people's face who opposed Obama. My family was at caucus and could had gotten arrested when riot broke out between Hillary & Obama supporters. Obama supporters prevailed because we organized better. Hillary campaign called the cops & threaten to file law suit, even though they tried to physically run away with the caucus ballots. We did prevail for Obama. Now he is showing us his gratitude by suggesting to pick the very woman who his supporters fought against SO THAT HE COULD WIN. Hillary publicly insulted Obama supporters. Now I get another letter from Obama campaign asking for donation to finance the transition of cabinet members. I simply can not do it. I got an email list of supporters that I sent to Obama team & and we all agreed to not donate any more money if he picks Hillary for any cabinet post.

dnn · 1 year ago

Thankyou and please add my name to that list because I feel the same way.> Subject: [washingtonindependent] Re: Clinton’s Team at State> From: > To: gacheri67@msn.com> Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:35:18 +0000> > arlenearmy wrote:> > If you think you have been betrayed, you are not alone. On my end was worst. Not only did I donate money that I could not afford to give, but I got my friends & family involved. Every time Obama campaigned or text message me to donate, I complied ! I foot patrolled the neighborhood in other states getting people out to register to vote. Stirred up folks to caucus as though their very lives depended on it. I got in people's face who opposed Obama. My family was at caucus and could had gotten arrested when riot broke out between Hillary & Obama supporters. Obama supporters prevailed because we organized better. Hillary campaign called the cops & threaten to file law suit, even though they tried to physically run away with the caucus ballots. We did prevail for Obama. Now he is showing us his gratitude by suggesting to pick the very woman who his supporters fought against SO THAT HE COULD WIN. Hillary publicly insulted Obama supporters. Now I get another letter from Obama campaign asking for donation to finance the transition of cabinet members. I simply can not do it. I got an email list of supporters that I sent to Obama team & and we all agreed to not donate any more money if he picks Hillary for any cabinet post.> > Link: http://washingtonindependent.com/?p=19654#comme...> > --> You may reply to this email to post your response. To turn off notifications, go to your Disqus settings at: http://disqus.com/settings/notifications/
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sharon · 1 year ago

you crybabies sound like republicans - be positive, think positive - Obama is exceptionally smart - he knows what he's doing. Some appointments will work, some won't......it'll never be as bad as it is now so grow up and get behind O and give him support. Amen.

Solidarity Dude · 1 year ago

exactly...when it comes to the name Clinton some Democrats sound as though they are junior Rush Limbauds

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

Apparently you have not been working on the ground for over a year for someone you believed in. No matter how hot the weather, no matter if sick or well. You work your heart out. I damn near worshiped Obama. But something is not right. It is alright for Hillary to disagree with him, but not Ok for the grassroots volunteers & donors to do the same. I am trying to get behind him.

kavawaka · 1 year ago

Why doesn't everyone just shut the hell up and let things play out. If there is a real complaint after some event has actually taken place, then raise your voice. All of the whining and ridiculous punditry is tiresome and boring. If you didn't realize that Obama is a politician after the FISA vote, then you were asleep anyway. Why wake up now? But lets just roll with it until there is a tangible problem. Too far left and too little involvement of experienced Washingtonians means the republicans are back in 4 years. So please, get a life, quit whining, suck it up, shut your pie holes and chill your asses out!

Nancy · 1 year ago

H Clinton is a fraud and an egotist. Obama will NOT be able to trust her. She does NOT represent change. SHE WILL TROT AROUND THE WORLD WITH HER SORT OF HUSBAND AND BE A SHADOW GOV'T MAKING HER OWN POLICIES. I can't believe he would want her in such a sensitive position. I worked hard for him and will be verrrry disappointed if and it appears when he picks the Dragon Lady !!!!!

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

I think your comments are very insensitive to people who truly feel hurt. Really hurt deep down in the soul. Was our biggest mistake was that we believed in something ? So please dont be so harsh on people who are going thru a grieving process.

Solidarity Dude · 1 year ago

Every single mention of Clinton is filled with this hysterical almost Gingrich worthy hate mongering. The Obama partisans concoct paranoid scenarios they would not foist on the right wing. It has been the same from the start of the primaries. Now it is Hillary is going to fill her staff with dreaded Clintonites. If Obama chooses x Clinton members he is getting experience but if Hillary does the same she is building a counter presidency. These are the same folks who want to build bridges and end partisanship? What is it with this constant rumor mongering and putting words in people's mouths. Very inconsistent and rather parochial.

When this comes from the press I attribute it to lazy journalism that thinks it is hip to attack Clinton. The TImes and Post have been brutal for years. When it comes from Obama supporters, which we all are, it comes off as naive as though only some are the real Obama holy ones. Not only is it bad politics but it seems naive about who Obama is and what he is trying to do. There has to be a whole lot more TRUST to make this work.

Just for the record, the argument can be made that Foreign Policy was not only competent and successful, it may well be the strongest part of the 90's administration. Bill Clinton was celebrated abroad for his accomplishments more than in the US and is still very much admired. The inference in this article that a Clinton would have pursued the reckless attack on Iraq and ignored the UN is beyond absurd. This was purely neo-con politics.

It would be typical of the Left wing to be the Democrats own worst enemy. Avoid this. There is a ton to do. Near religious idealism is a barrier to practical progress.

Lucianne · 1 year ago

I really like your comment. So why are you a solitary dude?

roesmoker · 1 year ago

Solidarity, dude, not solitary.

NavyAFRHspook · 1 year ago

Hear, hear!

Lucianne · 1 year ago

I would like to see Hilary become Secretary of State. She is an advocate for women's right's and was the first political American leader to shine a light on female circumcsion, for example. I believe she will do the right thing for Africa, which is a major problem brewing, with women in the Congo being raped now, and of course Somalia, Darfur. And she will do the right thing for Palestine, as well as Israel. I could be wrong, but she should lead.

NavyAFRHspook · 1 year ago

We have to give Obama's leadership a chance...I personally have more faith in his abilities than I ever had in Bush's.

Nancy · 1 year ago

H Clinton is a fraud and an egotist. Obama will NOT be able to trust her. She does NOT represent change. SHE WILL TROT AROUND THE WORLD WITH HER SORT OF HUSBAND AND BE A SHADOW GOV'T MAKING HER OWN POLICIES. I can't believe he would want her in such a sensitive position. I worked hard for him and will be verrrry disappointed if and it appears when he picks the Dragon Lady !!!!!

AW · 1 year ago

I am disappointed. I am quite sure that there is some reasoning behind this decision that the public does not see.

I don't see much in Clinton's background that qualifies her to be Secretary of State. She was an attorney who appeared to be assigned to children's rights cases, then first lady of Arkansas, then first lady of the U.S., and now the junior senator from NY with just 7 years of senate experience who voted for going to war in Iraq.

Albeit, Clinton has sponsored and co-sponsored some legislation related to international affairs, it seems to me that there are several more experienced people for this position. I was dissapointed to read that Senator Lugar would not entertain the position.

And yet, Barack Obama has less experience than his opponent and his is surrounded by some of the most brilliant minds in the country. We shall see.

mike · 1 year ago

Many of us have questioned the strategy, judgement and sophistication of Barock Obama. I for one will go a little bit farther down this path. My confidence is rising.

mike · 1 year ago

If you want to get Israel to make the concessions it must make, who would you send?

NavyAFRHspook · 1 year ago

Good point. However, I think that the shrewd character of the Clintons will help rather than hinder Obama despite the acrid rhetoric by both camps during the campaign. Look for good results, or look for failure...at least we don't have the Bushes , Cheneys, Wolfowitzes and Rumsfelds to contend with.

Gordon Moore · 1 year ago

As far as getting our troops and our Civilians out of Iraq safely, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE MISTAKES.

Ali Bachari · 1 year ago

I will send someone who is even handed and bring solution to the disasterous foreign policy of U.S. for last 60 years at once. I will send Jimmy Carter and envoy to middle east.

jean marie girard · 1 year ago

Great article, so Obama is negotiating with the real power now, the machine.
From what you say in the article, I can see that the message could be twist,
because Clinton does not vibrate at the same speed. But, he is the one that will make the change, he was elected to do this. I was happy that she was getting a good position
but now I think that it is truth she has been problem since the beginning. This could be
a good occasion to show the world that she was not up to be president. She
will mess-up everything, like she run her champagne. The idea is to facilitate Obama work so that the world goes a head and become a better world.
So I know many Obama people, my friend and I will mention to them that will have to keep a eye on her, don’t we?

Lisa · 1 year ago

During the campaign Barack talked so many times about Hillary's poor judgment when she voted for the war in Iraq and now she will be his top diplomat... What a hypocricy!

Alice Wolf · 1 year ago

Whatever Hillary Clinton does will at least be well articulated.

Nancy · 1 year ago

H Clinton is a fraud and an egotist. Obama will NOT be able to trust her. She does NOT represent change. SHE WILL TROT AROUND THE WORLD WITH HER SORT OF HUSBAND AND BE A SHADOW GOV'T MAKING HER OWN POLICIES. I can't believe he would want her in such a sensitive position. I worked hard for him and will be verrrry disappointed if and it appears when he picks the Dragon Lady !!!!!

BeltwayBette · 1 year ago

I was astonished watching the documentary of the Jonestown mass deaths of how articulate Rev. Jones was when he was urging his followers to drink poisoned grape juice.

Nokedoke · 1 year ago

Why Obama wants Billary as his SOS is a mystery to me. Could this be part of the fairytale Bill was talking about during the primary election? Surely Obama doesn't believe that the Clintons will have his back. In the words of Hillary herself, "give me a break!"

tigerlille · 1 year ago

I must not be very smart. My major reason for voting for Obama rather than Clinton in the Democratic primary was foreign policy. Now the media reports that President-Elect Obama, who I also enthusiastically voted for in the election, is on the verge of appointing Senator Clinton as Secretary of State. What is the sense in that? How is President-Elect Obama respecting the will of the people? If we wanted Hilary Clinton to disseminate foreign policy, we would have chosen her as the Democratic party presidential candidate. We voted for Obama because we wanted change. Now we are stuck with Clinton anyway. Have we fallen down the rabbit hole or something?

And yes, I know, it is Obama who will be determining foreign policy, blah blah blah, but one would have to be very foolish indeed not to acknowledge that the Secretary of State is a powerful figure when it comes to shaping foreign policy.

And if I read one more comment urging people to just sit back and trust Obama, he's smart, he knows what he is doing... I will scream. It was blind trust in Bush that got us into the mess we are in today.

I think that it would be a lot easier to deal with Hilary by paying her campaign debts than to pay her off with the Secretary of State position.

Gordon Moore · 1 year ago

Very well put.

Nancy · 1 year ago

EXCELLENT !!!!!!

Ignatzh · 1 year ago

Just what I suspected: Obama trapped by the DLC loyalists, owing favors and now it's payback time. Disgusting. The candidate of Change...what bulls**t.

John Hooker · 1 year ago

This article provides necessary but disconcerting insight to the choice of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. In my humble opinion, the benefits of choosing Clinton may not outweigh the risks, despite her obvious talents - unless she really is the team player she is alleged to be and that she has more or less given up on running for president again. Both arguments are plausible. How could she convince us? Allow me to convince myself and to share my thought: Obama's creativity and pragmatism and her experience and toughness might, just might mesh to provide the magic formula we're look for.

Let's be open-minded.

jfk dem · 1 year ago

Of course she will/Obama has made a serious error in letting the clintons into his White House.

There are many supporters who are simply stunned that all their hard work for obama has ended in the return of the Clintons.

Nancy · 1 year ago

H Clinton is a fraud and an egotist. Obama will NOT be able to trust her. She does NOT represent change. SHE WILL TROT AROUND THE WORLD WITH HER SORT OF HUSBAND AND BE A SHADOW GOV'T MAKING HER OWN POLICIES. I can't believe he would want her in such a sensitive position. I worked hard for him and will be verrrry disappointed if and it appears when he picks the Dragon Lady !!!!!

Mel · 1 year ago

President-Elect Barack Obama has made one error in judgement thus far -- putting Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the State Department, rather than the smart and enlightened folks like Samatha Powers and Susan Rice. I am extremely disappointed. With Hillary (Bill) and their entourage comes too much psycho-drama and too much chaotic and vindicative style politics. a 'team of rivals', 'healing the party', etc etc -- none of these are sufficient for justifying having someone like Ms Clinton in that position to influence foreign policy.

bluecity · 1 year ago

Obama could be the smartest guy in the world. How did he convince Clinton to abandon a powerful Senate position, a chance for real vocal strength on domestic issues, and a future Presidential bid? I think he offered her something much better. There aren’t many books written about Senators, even powerful ones, but there will be a metric ton of books written for decades about the US Sec of State who brokered the lasting Israel-Palestine peace agreement. She might just do it too. Obama has turned her “deficits” into assets; “shady connections” are morphed into established relationships; her “ruthlessness” will garner respect, her “personal ambition” becomes the investment needed to achieve a stable Middle East.

Mark-in-Oz · 1 year ago

Is it likely that Obama has not considered the potential negative issues associated with having Hillary as SoS? Consider the issue from a position of strength. Who better than someone with the gravitas of almost being president to knock recalcitrant heads together? Much harder to turn down a request from someone who just might come back some day as President. Assuming Obama really wants to bring change to the international scene, who would be more effective than Hillary Clinton? He has done this from a position of power - everyone knows he did not need to offer her the position, but he has chosen too. If he had offered her VP it would have been a sign of weakness. This move is not. it is a sign of strength and foresight.

BeltwayBette · 1 year ago

Assuming that "everyone knows that he does not need to offer her this position' is naiive.
One, he may not have offered her the position. She may have demanded it. This would not be inconcistent with her past behavior or her sense of entitlement.
Two, Obama's most fervent advisor and supporter ,the powerful Ted Kennedy, offered her an obvious bribe to stay in theSenate. So did the Democratic Party.
Seems like Obama has a few worried friends. I assume nothing until it is announced by Obama himself. I will pray that he will wake up before he creates a nightmare not only for himself but for our nation's security.

Prof. Dr. S. Collymore · 1 year ago

It never fails to amaze me how naive and even stupid at times liberal politicians, or those who court the voters as and get elected under this banner can be. History is replete with examples of how they then amazingly go on to squander the goodwill and mandate they were given to follow the same old discredited agenda and policies of the rightwing that the electorate so roundly rejected. It happened in Germany with Gerhard Schroeder. And it happened in South Africa with Nelson Mandela. My own country of the UK saw it happen in 1997 with Tony Blair. And it's about to happen in the United States with Barack Obama.

In each instance the leaders mentioned could have used their significant public mandate to bring about the very necessary change that the electorate was crying out for and had voted for. In all instances the voters who made this leap of faith were cruelly disappointed. How, in the name of tarnation, can Barack Obama implement any kind of viable CHANGE, which the US electorate believed him when he said he wanted such and voted for him in that regard to carry out, when his entire team, almost without exception, consists of the very same people who not only belittled his achievements and candidacy for the President of the United States but were even racist in doing so? How can a woman who wants to obliterate Iran, who is in the pockets of AIPAC, implement any kind of progressive policy that constitutes having dialogue with countries such as Iran, something that Barack Obama has promised and that not only the US voters but many people around the world actually want?

The team of personnel and cabinet ministers that Barack Obama is assembling all seem to be Clintonistas. And it's not just Bill - who actually hates Obama - and Hillary but the panoply of Clinton loyalists that will be loyal to Hillary and Bill and not in the least to Barack, as their campaign actions clearly demonstrated.

I'm saying this not as a Barack detractor or someone who is a diehard liberal, even though I cognisant that the term liberal somehow always conjures up every imaginable and unimaginable evil, in a manner that being far right and racist never seem to do. That said I've been a volunteer activist, vigorous campaigner, campaign organiser, blogger, fundraiser and all the rest of it for Barack Obama long before he officially declared his bid for the White House and from the very outset of his presidential campaign. So my loyalties to him are not in doubt. What I do worry about though are all those who don't mind jumping on board now that against all the odds, reinforced by their vitriolic and racist attacks on him, he's actually won. These people don't have Barack's interest - short or long term - at heart and will do everything to undermine him and put black progress back on the backburner with the disingenuous cry after they've succeeded in their aim: "What did you expect from a black man?"

I hope with all my heart that I, not a pessimist by any means, am wrong; but there's that gnawing gut feeling that just won't go away. I saw what happened to Gerhard Schroeder close up; I saw the same with Nelson Mandela having been a founder member of the UK's Anti-apartheid Movement; I saw the Labour Party's and Britain's betrayal by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown; am I now to see the betrayal of progressives in the United States and around the world by Barack Obama?

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

BeltwayBette · 1 year ago

This is going to be seen as the worst political decision after the appointment of Palin as McCain's running partner.

The Clintons run a ship fraught with demands for total loyalty **to them** and more scandals than most people face in several lifetimes.

They leave in their trail the implosion of many a career rooted in dealings with them.

Let's see: Sen Ted Kennedy has offered HRC part of his precious and hard worked for health committee if "she wants to stay in the Senate". Reid has said the Democratic Party will "create something very big for her "If she wants to stay in the Senate."
Does that sound like they think a SOS appointment is a good idea?

This so called done deed nomination has been leaked and releaked and pushed by the Clintons until it looks inevitable. And Obama has appointed so many Clintonites -- who are in deep debt to the Clintons --that not only ae they pushing for thier leader - Clinton-- that our Obama's presidency is beginning to look like an afterthought.

Sad to say, HRC also has a reputation for pathological lying -- you know the kind where she believes the lies herself. Remember her heroism on the tarmac? Only a tapede verions turned that on its ear.

Dissster is on the way. . . and no, it won't be from the followers. By definition,followers follow leaders.
Soap opera Clintons are the worst choice ever for our nation at this time, with these difficulties to face. We deserve better. We worked for better.

One military veteran who would not want Hillary and Bill protecting MY back.

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

I really thought Obama would had appointed Richardson as SOS. Obama is messing up big time if he appoints Hilliary. Richardson delivered for Obama. No doubt the majority of Blacks voted for Obama, but the increased votes of Hispanics sealed the deal. That is how Obama won this election. I feel that if he mess over Richardson, the Democrats may lose the Hispanic votes. Obama better think about that. I smell foul afoot in this SOS deal. I voted for Obama who was a man who inspired me and made believe in change. I did not expect a 3rd term of the Clintons. The sad part of this ordeal is that Obama is "tokenizing" himself.

jthompsonxfaa · 1 year ago

The idea that Obama hasn't balanced all of Clinton's negative aspects with her positive aspects is silly. Obama is probably one of the most careful people ever to hold the Presidency, and I don't mean that as euphemistic for 'gutless,' the way that some others might.

Now that he's been elected, what realistic benefit does Obama get from appeasing the Clintons at every turn? None. They're both influential within the party, but aside from her one vote in the Senate, no Democratic elected official - much less the ones Obama appoints - will dispute Obama's policy solely because a Clinton doesn't completely agree. It won't help Obama to have the Clintons somewhere other than squarely behind him, but he doesn't need them. So he must want them, and must think that there's some value to Clinton holding that position. Why?

One of the two biggest problems in philosophy during the Bush years was that loyalty to the President and the RNC's espoused ideology on any issue came before anything else. Even if you knew this was a bad idea, you kept your head down and your mouth shut. Obama will constantly look to synthesize opposing viewpoints into policy, stripping away the nonsense, the cant, the false dichotomies. It won't be all hard power all the time, or all soft power all the time. There may be a damn good reason to intervene in someone else's conflict, or make war (in light of how broke we are as a nation and how tired the Army and the Marines are, emphasis on the 'damn good').

More than anything else, I voted for Obama because of his prudence. I'm going to trust his reasoning until I'm given good reason to do otherwise. Who cares if the right answer is doctrinaire-progressive or not?

shelley · 1 year ago

She and her crew are talented politicians, but she and her mate will bite him when they get the chance. That's just the way they are. They are alpha dogs and follow no one.

miastella · 1 year ago

I agree that the Clintons are "alpha dogs" who demand loyalty, but, I also agree that Obama is circumspect and highly aware of what the negatives are in all his decisions. Hillary, whom I didn't vote for because of her earlier health care debacle, has grown up. I think she has shown a class and refinement that far surpasses her husband. I also believe that she wants the betterment of this world and will find ways to meet minds with Obama. Bill is busy playing his role as the Great Father, caring for and nursing the needy and the endangered. If there was one role in his life we could be sure he loved most, it was being Chelsea's father. Prehaps, he can stay out of Hillary's way now. Let's hope.

tahoegal · 1 year ago

We were "fearful" of the 8 years Bush has been in office. Clinton as Secretary of State doesn't scare us at all. Lets give this new administration a chance before playing the "fear" card.

arlenearmy · 1 year ago

Fear card ? The news media is playing it over and over that Obama is going to pick Hillary as SOS. If it were not so, why is it that Obama has not said anything. I believe he is aware that his supporters are watching all of this drama. He knows that it is not a wise pick. He knows it is unsettling to many of her supporters. He needs to say something on this matter so we can understand why this is happening.

Kevin Wires · 1 year ago

They did, they said that they offered and she accepted and they will have the formal announcement the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Ali Bachari · 1 year ago

HRC will be disaster to wrecken with. She is errogant and will not make any peace in this world that we have looked forward, all she will do to put more walls around poor palestinians and sufficate them to death if she is able to do so, she is a 100% pro Israelis and would not bring the peace in middle east and we don't need anymore war. Obama please don't do it and save all who voted for you for change, thank you.

Francis Hansen · 1 year ago

When voting for Obama we voted for CHANGE. Clinton is an insult to all that's American about this country. Hillary has proved over and over while senator that all she cares about are the special interests and pro-Israel lobbies. Her foreign policies are always dictated upon her and will now be dictated upon the whole country. We need a SOS who's a friend of Israel but not on it's payroll.

Lllahim · 1 year ago

The concerns over Hillary are misplaced. Seen Barack and Hillary in those TV togetherness shots - in the plane, walking down the plane, on the tarmac, in Unity, on the podium......They are smitten with each other. If I were Michelle and Bill, I will be worried! She just glows when she is around him! She wanted him as VP if she won. She wanted to be his VP when he won. She now wants to be his top diplomat and I am not surprised. Sabotage will come only when the "affair" ends. If it does not end in eight years, Hillary and Barack will be riding into the sunset together - the world conquered.

Michael · 1 year ago

Very disappointed in her selection, perhaps this is Barack's first mistake and it could prove to very very unsettling. I don't think the problem is so much her, if she would have divorced ole Bubba back when you couldn't keep the dog of the porch , and maybe still can't, it would be different. But his history has been one of not taking a back seat to anyone. Having a Team of Rivals is one thing, having a "Brutus" is quite another.

Kevin Wires · 1 year ago

Let me get this straight, they are afraid that since they have continued attacking Hilary to this day, that she might hire people that want her in the job and want her to succeed and therby shut them out of potential positions. Obama has placed his trust in her. He won the Presidency, so he gets to pick the positions. This theoretical crap about what nefarious things she will do, like hiring her own personal staff. I think most cabinet members would expect to do that. The reality, if this is a mistake, he has made it. He will make it work or live with the consequences. To listen to some of these people it seems they were expecting Obama to call them up and say "I know you don't have any experience and don't know Washington can you help me out?". If this won't work they will both know it fairly quickly. I heard the same stories of how electing her Senator would be disruptive because of personality and the Clinton problems. Turns out she has been an affective Senator and seems to get along with her colleagues. Why don't we at least wait until the posting is formally announced for all of these crybaby stories..

BurrDeming · 1 year ago

Senator Clinton may make a wonderful Secretary of State. Here's why I'm apprehensive.

a1000words · 1 year ago

First and foremost as an Obama supporter who crossed the political isle to support him, I am today a very sad American. I am not so much angry or disillusioned. I was well aware of the lines of rhetoric. I'm sad because of the millions of younger voters, first time voters and those like myself who really believed.
To invite corruption into his administration by nominating Hillary Clinton to any cabinet post is beyond disbelief. The Clinton machine is what the Neo-Con are, same design different label. Bill Clinton will once again have access, the man who sold our nuclear secrets to China, gave them 'Favored Nation' status and graced our shores with cheap Chinese junk made by children in slave labor. I haven't own anything American in years. And I sometimes wonder how many children suffered for my $90 dollar pair of Nike's.

a1000words · 1 year ago

Governor Bill Richardson

There have been very few more qualified then him
For Secratary of State

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/GRAPHICS/home-p...

Nominated 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001 for the Nobel Peace Prize. http://www.scribd.com/doc/191905/bill-richardso...
Please Email President Elect Obama and voice your opposition to any nomination of Senator Clinton as Secretary of State. http://answercenter.barackobama.com/cgi-...amp;...
Give us some Credibility President Elect Obama, we gave you some.

a1000words · 1 year ago

The Clinton Legacy and with Hillary poised to be nominated as Secretary of State what garbage comes with it.

RECORDS SET

* The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
* Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
* Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
* Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
* Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
* First president sued for sexual harassment.
* Second president accused of rape**
* First first lady to come under criminal investigation
* Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
* First president to establish a legal defense fund.
* First president to be held in contempt of court
* Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
* Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
* First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court.

Please note her nomination has not been formally announce by Presiden -elect Obama, please go to the link below in preceding post and voice your opposition.

twisted economist · 1 year ago

Re China, the Clinton "experts" at State were inexperienced and losers, at the DAS and AS levels. Please do not bring any of them back, particularly S.

Patty · 1 year ago

I'm only a political science/economics/criminal justice undergrad, but even I can see that the Clintons (Billary) would be poisonous to the Obama Administration. I suspect that Hillary and Andrea Mitchell started all this hype about the Secretary of State position to create landmines for Obama, and hold him hostage to Hillary's agenda.

The idea that Hillary would launch this media onslaught to get the position is a very strong indicator of how unfit she is for the position. I sure as hell don't feel confident in her ability to be Obama's representative in any foreign country. She simply can't be trusted! Surely Obama knows this!

Obama gracefully got out of the Clinton clutches without offending anyone, and now time passes until he announces his nomination for SoS. If he chooses someone else, it will be a surprise to the Clinton devotees, but will blow over in half a day.

Why Bill Richardson wasn't appointed is a mystery. He is undoubtedly better qualified than anyone we've seen in the spotlight...but there might be someone else Obama has in mind.

Raped Ape · 1 year ago

I would advise Obama to send Hillary on a diplomatic mission somewhere the same way the Clinton's did to Ron Brown after he threatened to blow the lid on the illegal campaign financing from China and Vietnam that was funneled through his son's bank account after the DOJ indictment against young Michael. That would be the ultimate justice I think-missing flight data recorders and all. Then Diablo can finally submit to Hillary's testicle lock box when she muscles into his inferno where she spawned from. Hillary has shown us a new meaning of how low you can descend for the quest for power. Maybe she can free-up her Swiss account money the NSA seized electronically (2 weeks before Vince Foster's body was found) to pay her campaign debts, since the indictment against her was sealed by her life-partner-in-crime. That would be the ultimate schutspah and in character of her "loyalists"...If you are disillusioned by her ties to the AIPAC lobby, you must have missed it when Obama appointed Joe Biden as VP-the confirmation signal that there is no hope for change with his administration. Biden is one of AIPAC's biggest supporters and has been for ages. His selection was a message to Israel that Obama would play the same old game every president has since Lyndon Johnson. You just don't get elected otherwise...

religious statues · 10 months ago

Hillary is very popular here in Germany. So i think she will do a great job.