Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State?

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Think of it this way. Hillary is an extremely hard worker. She'll probabbly have much more to do as Secreatary of State, than she would have had if she'd been made VP.
Also: she's extremely INDEPENDENT. There is possibly a little more room for independence as secretary of state than there would be as VP. I hope she stays forever young, that Obama does a great job for eight whole years (with reelection) and that Hillary gets elected prez in 2016. For eight more years. This would be an unlikely historical event (democrats in for 16 years!) but if these two perform as good as they look it would mean a great turn for the better in US and global politics. (We hope and pray).

guessin of 10:33PM December 04, 2008

Barack Obama’s decision to name Hillary Clinton the Secretary of State post could well turn out to be his first major blunder, for these obvious reasons:
First, there’s the inseparable bond with her husband Bill. Given the duo’s unquenchable thirst for power, they would not be content to play second fiddle. From day one they would be scheming to usurp control of the White House. Once they get a foothold, Obama would be hard-pressed to rein them in.
Then, there’s the Clintons’ long history of corruption, deception and sleaze—Whitewatergate, Pardongate, Cattle-futuresgate, Chinagate, Filegate, Fellatiogate, the using of uniformed marines as waiters, the plundering of White House property, the Impeachment and near conviction, the punitive IRS audits, the violent deaths of potentially incriminating witness. This alone would provide Obama’s enemies with all the grime they needed to smear his presidency.
Consider further that unlike a Condoleezza Rice or a Madelaine Albright—not to mention bona fide statesmen like Henry Kissinger, Dean Rusk and John Foster Dulles--Hillary Clinton lacks the educational and cultural gravitas to represent our nation abroad. Her lawyering in Arkansas and stint in Congress doesn’t quite cut it. She did get 18 million votes in the Democratic primaries, probably more than Obama, but a large proportion of those votes were cast by diehard feminists and the less educated, hardly the constituency whose support lends credibility to a Secretary of State.
Barack Obama should recall the reasons why he didn’t choose Hillary as his VP running mate. For his and the nation’s sake, let us hope that she changes her mind and spurns the Secretary of State offer. Her coyness in reaching her decision--making Obama beg, in effect--is already an ominous sign.

Carlos Navarro of NC 1:19AM December 01, 2008

Barack Obama’s decision to offer Hillary Clinton the Secretary of State post could well turn out to be his first major blunder, for these obvious reasons:
First, there’s the inseparable bond with her husband Bill. Given the duo’s unquenchable thirst for power, they would not be content to play second fiddle. From day one they would be scheming to usurp control of the White House. Once they get a foothold, Obama would be hard-pressed to rein them in.
Then, there’s the Clintons’ long history of corruption, deception and sleaze—Whitewatergate, Pardongate, Cattle-futuresgate, Chinagate, Filegate, Fellatiogate, the impeachment and near conviction, the punitive IRS audits, the violent deaths of potentially incriminating witness. This alone would provide Obama’s enemies with all the grime they needed to smear his presidency.
Consider further that unlike a Condoleezza Rice or a Madelaine Albright—not to mention bona fide statesmen like Henry Kissinger, Dean Rusk and John Foster Dulles--Hillary Clinton lacks the educational and cultural gravitas to represent our nation abroad. Her lawyering in Arkansas and stint in Congress don't quite cut it. She did get 18 million votes in the Democratic primaries, probably more than Obama, but a large proportion of those votes were cast by diehard feminists and the less educated, hardly the constituency whose support lends credibility to a Secretary of State.
Barack Obama should recall the reasons why he didn’t choose Hillary as his VP running mate. For his and the nation’s sake, let us hope that she changes her mind and spurns the Secretary of State offer. Her coyness in her reaching decision--making Obama beg, in effect--is already an ominous sign.

Carlos the Carpenter of NC 9:08AM November 23, 2008

I think Senator Clinton should turn down this post. It's not a good fit for her. I think that all President-Elect Captain Fluffy Unicorn Sparkly Pants wants her for is to saddle her with all his foreign policy blunders and blame them on her. He knows she might run against him in 2012 and he wants to blunt that possibility.
Don't be his secretary, Senator! All he'll do is scape-goat you and give all the policy heavy-lifting to his National Security Adviser. Don't give him the satisfaction. Stay in the Senate, challenge Harry Reid for Senate Majority Leader and wrestle your issue, health care, away from the ineffectual killer of campaign workers, Ted Kennedy.
You know, I used think that it was the Wingnuts loved to bash the Clintons and I generally chalked this up to jealously and fear -- they were jealous of the Clintons' intellect and savvy and they were fearful that if someone as talented and smart as Bill Clinton got his policies implemented, they'd have a hard time getting elected again. I always believed that the Wingnuts hatred of Hillary had to do with the fact that they generally disdain smart, independent liberal women, it's kind of their raison d'etre. But I have been schooled in this election. Now, I think the only people who love to bash the Clintons more than the Wingnut Republicans are the Democrats, especially the Nutroots. And it's so funny, because the Nutroots think Obama's so liberal and he's NOT. He's pretty much thumbed his nose at everything he's promised liberals so far, but they don't seem to notice that.
So turn it down, Hillary. They're going to crucify you no matter what kind of job you do, which, characteristically, will be excellent.
It won't matter. Turn it down.

Allyssenn of 8:07AM November 23, 2008

Barack Obama’s decision to offer Hillary Clinton the Secretary of State post could well turn out to be his first major blunder, for these obvious reasons:
First, there’s the inseparable bond with her husband Bill. Given the duo’s unquenchable thirst for power, they would not be content to play second fiddle. From day one they would be scheming to usurp control of the White House. Once they get a foothold, Obama would be hard-pressed to rein them in.
Then, there’s the Clintons’ long history of corruption, deception and sleaze—Whitewatergate, Pardongate, Cattle-futuresgate, Chinagate, Filegate, Fellatiogate, the impeachment and near conviction, the punitive IRS audits, the violent deaths of potentially incriminating witness. This alone would provide Obama’s enemies with all the grime they needed to smear his presidency.
Consider further that unlike a Condoleezza Rice or a Madelaine Albright—not to mention bona fide statesmen like Henry Kissinger, Dean Rusk and John Foster Dulles--Hillary Clinton lacks the educational and cultural gravitas to represent our nation abroad. Her lawyering in Arkansas and stint in Congress doesn’t quite cut it. She did get 18 million votes in the Democratic primaries, probably more than Obama, but a large proportion of those votes were cast by diehard feminists and the less educated, hardly the constituency whose support lends credibility to a Secretary of State.
Barack Obama should recall the reasons why he didn’t choose Hillary as his VP running mate. For his and the nation’s sake, let us hope that she doesn’t accept his Secretary of State offer.

Carlos Navarro of NC 8:30PM November 21, 2008

O’bama, this is not change; this is an endowment to Hillary for disrupting her coronation. Stop placating Hillary like she was the Matriarch of the American States. Are Americans really so shallow minded as to be convinced her interests are anything but self serving? She proclaims her pursuit of position to lie with-in the privilege of serving her country, but she remains as addicted to privilege as an addict is to crack cocaine. Her time has come and passed it is now time to pass the torch to others who have been prepared for such a time as this.

Terry McLaws of 2:46PM November 21, 2008

Obama is interviewing 2 candidates for the position as reported by every paper on the net: Hilary Clinton and Bill Richardson. They are also the two most qualified. Bill Richardson dosen't have the experience in running a large organiztion. Hilary was the runner up in the party for VP choice. SOS are often women, she would do well, we already know the people support her, she has no hope of being President-Obama will be back on ticket in 4 and 70 makes her like McCain(but a woman), in this position she can work closely with the president-she been there before, Hilary's broke -maybe Obama can use his funds to support another democratic?, Biden and Hilary are close, Obama likes her despite the competitiveness-and has said he likes to listen to people who disagree with him. He is a man of principle who will hire best for job-Hilary..that is why she is an 85% favorite

Joe of IL 2:30PM November 20, 2008

I have been Bill and Hillary fans for a long time, but I am a bigger Obama fan. I do not want to see him choose Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State. I do not see any evidence of foreign policy expertise (knowing the guys is not enough), and I am afraid of Bill Clinton's financial ties to international governments. Bill's dealing with leaders around the world seem to be more oportunistic for his own pockets than charitable for those in need. Hillary Clinton is smart, but I believe that this post calls for more than intelligence.

Martha Biggs of KS 8:27AM November 20, 2008

I don't claim to know alot about politics but it occurs to me that Barak Obama is obviously a smart and far sighted guy. I think that the reason he passed on Hillary Clinton as his VP running mate was that he planned to bring her on as the Secretary of State all along. As a package deal with Hillary's worldwide notoriety and appeal, Obama will also have access to President Bill Clinton and his wealth of experience in foreign affairs. Don't think for a moment this idea just struck Obama recently out of the blue. He is way ahead of most of us and playing his cards close to the vest. Exiting times are ahead I do believe!

Stephen J. Furst of KS 3:56AM November 19, 2008

Secretary of State require seasoned international diplomats (Albright, Powell, Rice) not politicians. The past Secretaries have all been diplomats without much interest in politics or running for office and without strong affiliations with a political party. This sets the tone for the even-handed, careful negotiations required. Clinton is just a politician and severe partizan. Bad choice and bad message about how Obama wants to operate.

Dennis of IL 11:27PM November 18, 2008