Hillary Rodham Clinton for Secretary of State - thoughts?

[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.

[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?

[PhiGam]

I hate Bill Richardson and can't believe that there are people on this board who still like him after stabbing the Clintons in the back. I like Hillary more than almost any other democrat because I feel that she is very experienced and capable, something that Obama will need.

[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.

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by Maat

but for whatever reason Obama wants her...

I think it is pretty easy to see why Obama picked HRC for Secretary of State. He is simply planning ahead.

A senator can take a year or two off from his/ her work obligations to run for President. Heck, we might not even notice if they aren't doing their job for weeks and weeks on end.

Secretary of State can't exactly do that, now can she?? She can't even utter a word in public to criticize the President she serves!

By selecting her for this position, I think Obama effectively elimnates HRC's option of running for president in 2012 AND does a great job of shutting her mouth to disagreement for 4 years. Pretty smart move, when you think about it!

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by thetalady

By selecting her for this position, I think Obama effectively elimnates HRC's option of running for president in 2012 AND does a great job of shutting her mouth to disagreement for 4 years. Pretty smart move, when you think about it!

This really just doesn't happen. The incumbent very rarely faces serious reelection pressure, and there's almost no way HRC would run against him unless things had fallen through the floor (in which case Obama is screwed anyway).

[33girl]

Originally Posted by thetalady

Secretary of State can't exactly do that, now can she?? She can't even utter a word in public to criticize the President she serves!

I certainly wouldn't say that.