Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 It's (Mostly) Official: Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State
Posted by Eli Sanders on Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 1:51 PM
It's been nearly impossible to keep up with all the back-and-forth leaking about this, but now, in one of the most solid-seeming leaks I've seen so far, two "confidants" of Hillary Clinton tell the New York Times that she's decided to accept the position of Secretary of State in the Obama administration.
A lot of this drama, it seems to me, has been about who's in control.
Is Obama calling the shots, making offers Clinton can't refuse, and getting everything he wants in terms of Bill Cinton's cooperation? Or is Hillary negotiating her own terms of employment, choosing what's best for her out of two good options (the Senate or SecState), and showing, with her somewhat public ambivalence, that she's overqualified for the post but happy to serve her country if treated appropriately?
Whatever the case, it sounds like Clinton's now on board.
Which means, inevitably, more drama for Obama. But—and I think this is what makes it worth it for him in the end—this also gives Obama a large measure of control over Clinton's political destiny. If the first Obama administration is a disappointment, she'll be partly to blame. If Obama needs to punish Clinton (or politically knee-cap her ahead of 2012), he can fire her or otherwise make her look bad. She'll have her fiefdom, but it will be in his kingdom—and she'll be serving, as every appointee does, at "the pleasure of the president."
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why is this even being considered as the remotest of possibilities?
They may be scared of Hils, but Waxman's the new Sheriff in Town!
since he is pussy whipped - as most married men - it is all up to Michelle, who to me, seems a bit moodyl and might not like all the attention and grandeur ...
Hill will bring Peace to the Middle East - quiet the Russians - and delight the modern Euro countries
good choice, surprise that it is for some
and it was her choice, not his
word is that he is a lazy executive, so put him in some civil rights low level
America does not give a shit about the moose eater ... not now.
She might move up in the future or might not. Duh. She's ambitious but in reality they all are. Duh. He's picking her because of her qualifications because he already unified the party. Duh.
Obama-Biden-Clinton-Holden-Daschle ... looking damn good so far.
Unity y'all -
Or, better put, why should anybody who voted for the Iraq War be considered for SecState?
Yes, she is "qualified". So was Henry Kissinger. So was Condi Rice. Doesn't mean they're gonna have any just policy.
Make that Obama-Biden-Clinton-Holden-Daschle-(Geidner (sp?) (NY fed, for treasury sec., worked with Paulson recnetly WTF with that?-- change?) and Richardson (Commerce).
So, 18 million votes does kinda trump a half million votes + switch just in time.
I believe John Kerry was considered for SoS as well. Was he not "for the war before he was against it"?
In all of the Stranger's (and Slog posters') rampant criticism of Clinton's position on the Iraq war, I have not ONCE heard criticism of Kerry for the same position.
Do people honestly think Obama is going to appoint people without any experience? Bush apponinted a lot of friends to jobs, like Condalezza Rice as National Security adviser and "Brownie" to head up FEMA, and we know how those turned out.
People keep complaining how Obama keeps hiring these moderates and bemoan there's no liberals in the bunch, forgetting that Obama was the most liberal person in the senate.
You can watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann at http://liberal.democratz.org
You can watch The Young Turks Liberal talk show after you watch Countdown by clicking on the link that reads Watch the Young Turks, near the top of the page.
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