Hillary Rodham Clinton for Secretary of State - thoughts?

[KappaKittyCat]

What are everyone's thoughts on Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State?

Background on me: It's probably not a secret that I'm a pretty devout liberal. I supported HRC over Barack Obama in the primary, not out of dislike for him - I'm jazzed he's our President-elect - but after a side-by-side comparison of the two helped me determine that I preferred HRC's policies. I was concerned about her electability and the liability of her husband, but being that I knew I'd be happy to vote for any of the Democratic candidates in November, I decided to cast my primary ballot for the candidate whose ideals most aligned with mine.

That being said, while I'm thrilled that the President-elect is considering HRC for State, I have had a low-level feeling of discomfort about it. This article in the Chicago Tribune is the closest I've found to a summary of my fears.

To summarize the article: The best Secretaries of State have not only had good relationships with world leaders and gravitas - both of which HRC brings to the table - but they've also been very close to their Presidents, such that on the world stage there was never any doubt that the Secretaries of State were speaking for their Presidents. Specific concerns are that HRC has not publicly abandoned the notion of ending her political career after her tenure as Secretary of State. What role will be played by her own positioning of herself for future electability? Will world leaders always believe that she's the voice of the President and not speaking for herself? Also, even if she walks the line, her husband may still be a rogue. WJC has been known to call reporters on his own in an effort to spin a story in his wife's favor. Of course, coming from a former President, those conversations always appear in print. Will the former President be able to hold his tongue and let his wife take some heat for her boss, which would be her job as Secretary of State?

Thoughts?

[Benzgirl]

My thoughts? I've been expecting it, so it comes as no surprise.

[Scandia]

I think it is a good idea. Hillary is more moderate than Obama. So this will be a good balance. I would have very much preferred her become the Democratic candidate- I would have even voted for her if she had won and McCain had not picked Palin.

[DGTess]

I think it's a mistake. Ms. Clinton is one of the most divisive figures in American politics today, and as such, while she will likely (not certain, but likely) take her marching orders from O if necessary, she is not a good representative of what America wants. I believe she'll get the nod, and take it (since her presidential election chances are gone), but I think it will hurt the nation in the long run.

[preciousjeni]

I detest her, but I don't mind it.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I love her and would love to her on board! The past is the past and I'm sure she's more than ready to look toward the future of America.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I detest her, but I don't mind it.

Ha i'm the opposite.

I really like her (I was a Hillary Supporter as well) but I don't think this is a good move.

I would have rather seen Richardson (who i'm lukewarm about) get the position over Clinton.

[Munchkin03]

I don't care too much for her, so I don't want her to have it. Even though the Clinton brand, as we can call it, is a symbol of division here in the States, the name is still gold in some countries throughout the world.

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by DGTess

I think it's a mistake. Ms. Clinton is one of the most divisive figures in American politics today, and as such, while she will likely (not certain, but likely) take her marching orders from O if necessary, she is not a good representative of what America wants.

I agree with this completely. I compare her to the two Secretaries of State that I have seen most in action - Powell and Rice. Even though they were appointed by a divisive Republican President, they are both more moderate in their political views and therefore more palatable to the majority of Americans. The average folks don't have negative gut reactions to the two of them as some tend to have about HRC.

Additionally, both of them have had more "life" experience in foreign relations as Chairman of the JCS and as a career student/researcher/advisor of international affairs. Sure HRC has had some exposure to foreign relations through her position as Senator, but just not as much single-area focus as the previous Secretaries.

But I don't necessarily have a better suggestion!

[Maat]

Originally Posted by DGTess

I think it's a mistake. Ms. Clinton is one of the most divisive figures in American politics today, and as such, while she will likely (not certain, but likely) take her marching orders from O if necessary, she is not a good representative of what America wants. I believe she'll get the nod, and take it (since her presidential election chances are gone), but I think it will hurt the nation in the long run.

i agree totally...im very wary of HRC for the pick of Sec. of State...i just don't see her as one to 'toe the line' as it were and to be seen as a unifier. she...well she strikes me as the ultimate opportunist and so i am never fully sure if her actions are or will be with the nation's best interests at heart...

that said, i think she's smart as all get out, and i believe she's knowledgeable enough for the job, but it is her personality, reputation, and motive that i am wary of.

and though when things got ugly during the primaries she was able to get Bill to hush up, i wonder if having all that 'star power' in having a former US President as your husband and confidant will in some way hinder her service.

but for whatever reason Obama wants her...so i suppose that if she accepts, we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best

[33girl]

Whatever Obama is smoking, I think it's very inconsiderate of him not to share with others. This is a horrible, horrible decision on his part and I think that both the POTUS and VP are going to have to watch their backs constantly. She doesn't give a crap about them, their vision or the nation...only about herself.

I was joking before when I told my friend to make me a "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Ralph" t-shirt....but now I'm kind of not.

[moe.ron]

Don't like the choice at all. Bill Richardson would've been my choice. She was in bed with the neo-cons and I would suggest she still listen to the AEI type of people.

[Blacksocialite]

I am a big fan of Hillary Clinton and believe that she will do a good job. But I wonder how she will be able to work together with Rahm Emanuel, Bill Richardson, & Joe Biden.

Biden was selected as VP for his foreign relations experience and honestly, I think he would have made a better choice for Secretary of State.

I would have liked to have seen her as Secretary of Education, Labor, or Energy.

Unfortunately, President-Elect Obama has not returned my phone calls yet.

[Kevin]

I said this in another thread, but I think Obama is playing by the old adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Whether or not she is an "enemy" is a matter of opinion. Whether or not she would have been a constituency in the Senate which would have to be accounted for and could possibly be an obstacle seems to be a definite possibility, if not a certainty.

By appointing HRC to the SoS post, he's effectively removed her ability to be an obstacle and further, he makes it in her best interest that his administration does well.

A master stroke, IMHO.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by moe.ron

Don't like the choice at all. Bill Richardson would've been my choice. She was in bed with the neo-cons and I would suggest she still listen to the AEI type of people.

Bill Richardson? Really? Or are you being funny?