Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – Take Two
 |
James Joyner | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 |
When rumors surfaced Friday that Hillary Clinton was being seriously considered for Secretary of State, I was more than a little skeptical, stating “She’s simply not qualified. Aside from some dog-and-pony show trips as First Lady and Senator, she’s got no foreign policy credentials whatsoever. Her training, experience, and demonstrated interests are in domestic issues.”
Having weighed the reaction of former Secretaries of State, her Senate colleagues, and the commentariat, I’ve revisited the seemingly forthcoming appointment at New Atlanticist in, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?“
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
Follow James on FriendFeed | Twitter | Digg
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – Take Two
- Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State?!
- Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State
- Clinton: Obama Passed ‘3 a.m.’ Test
- Hillary Clinton, ‘Natural Diplomat’
- Kathleen Sebelius To Be Named HHS Secretary
- Did Hillary Clinton Do Favors For Bill’s Clients?
- Obama More Experienced Than We Thought?
- Profound Changes in U.S. Foreign Policy?
- Hillary Clinton for Supreme Court?
- OTB Latenight – r.e.m.
- Krugman on the Debt and Deficits
- A Question About Bonuses and Bailouts
- Republican Purity and Conservatism
- SNL Obama China Skit
- Journalistic Ethics and Illegally Acquired Documents
- National Debt Hysteria?
- Educating Illegal Immigrants
- Caption Contest
- Nathalie Blanchard Facebook Smile Leaves Her Depressed
This is one of those things that I refuse to believe until its announced. Bill Richardson is a much better fit.
President Elect Obama should not assume that she would manage state better than she managed her campaign.
"he's simply not qualified."
Not to be a pedant, but Hill's a she not a he even if some might dissent.
“She’s simply not qualified."
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
In that case, she should fit right in!
Suggesting Billy Richardson gives double meaning to the initials S.O.S. The very thought makes Hillary supporters out of all conscious observers.
Richardson is a terminal Smart-@ss with less control over his mouth than Biden, what more perfect qualifications could possibly be desired?
Keep in mind that James Baker hadn't just been Treasury Secretary; he had been Under-Secretary of Commerce for President Ford, and that touches on a whole number of international trade issues and regulations. It wasn't like with Hillary Clinton, where her foreign policy background is mostly ceremonial.
I think it's telling that a lot of her endorsements (including Kissinger's) praise her "intelligence and determination". There's not really a lot to praise her over.
She has foreign policy experience; from places in New York state you can see Canada.
I just don't see it happening.
Meh... (To coin a word)... I'm not overly convinced either.
That's more or less offset by the idea I've seen Obama's people so interested in spreading a meme. They'd hardly do that particularly given the nature of it, if they didn't figure to actually haul off and DO it. There's no real reason... no gain in the long term for sending out this thick a smokescreen.
OTOH, Obama is starting to get some flack from Democrats annoyed that so much of his administration is already being given to the Clintonistas.
Interesting how quickly we fal into the mode of trying to see through the smokescreens already. Just like we learned to do under Bill Clinton. Maybe we’d better keep the ice handy.
I think I should also point up that such an appointment ends any chance she had at the WH, at least from a historical standpoint; The last time anyone made that leap was President Buchanan.
(Aside:Possibly the reason why we’re so reluctant to elect former Secretaries of State to the White House is Buchanan was so gawd-awful as President. A Democrat, of course. And he thought the war of 1812 an “unnecessary conflict”. He found out otherwise when the Brits landed at Baltimore. Sound familiar?)
Anyway, I can’t help but think this dead- ends her, and removes a problem for Obama in 2012. If, of course his interest in her filling that role isn't just a smoke screen.
Comments are Closed
