Slog

News & Arts

Line Out

Music & Nightlife

Monday, December 1, 2008

Madam Secretary

Posted by Eli Sanders on Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 9:25 AM

It's official. Hillary Clinton is Barack Obama's choice for Secretary of State. Bill, continuing a long tradition of statements that are easily read with multiple meanings, tells my in-box that he's thankful:

As an American, I am thankful that President-elect Barack Obama has asked Hillary to be Secretary of State and that she has accepted. As her husband, I am deeply proud.

Share via

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Newsvine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Email
 

Comments (12) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
"As a philandering horn dog, I'll be glad to have her out of the house more often. Monica -- call me!"
Posted by Al on December 1, 2008 at 9:40 AM
2
Now that is such a huge "change"... blah.
Posted by Obama Sucks - Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss on December 1, 2008 at 9:46 AM
3
I guess the Hillary hold-outs will have to come up with a new mascot, now that PUMA is dead.

@2: actually, it IS a huge change. A team of rivals working together replacing the bullshit Groupthink of the Bush years. Imagine--consulting folks you disagree with and making foreign policy decisions based upon influences other than Big Oil or what God is whispering in your ear. What a concept.
Posted by Andy Niable on December 1, 2008 at 9:58 AM
4
Yep. It's disappointing. I still have a little hope left for this presidency, but he would do well to remember that we were voting 'old' washington and the dynasties out of office for a reason... I'm thinking there's still a %20 chance for real change out of this president.
Posted by Gillford on December 1, 2008 at 9:59 AM
5
"Deeply proud"? That doesn't sound right. Proud would have been enough.
Posted by Jason Josephes on December 1, 2008 at 10:26 AM
6
I AM CLIN-TON. All will tremble before me in terror! End transmission.
Posted by Kodos on December 1, 2008 at 10:36 AM
7
The nice thing about Secretary of State is that you have to give up all political actions while in office.

So, at least that will cut down on my mail from Sen. Clinton ...

But my impression, after listening to the whole introduction of the team, is this:

The Grownups are back in DC.
Posted by Will in Seattle on December 1, 2008 at 10:40 AM
8
Obama is doing good. He appointed Rice to UN ambassadorship, makes it cabinet rank, she is a totally antigenocide crusader, this is a good solid move in a progressive direction. NYT also reports entire foreign policy team is under orders to double US aid abroad as part of Obama's fundamental shift to have the USA um, Not Be a Total Asshole (a/k/a "using soft power").

As for the whiny ranty comments here, Obama never said he was a Kucinich, so get over it. He's an updated Clinton.

And oh yes every word uttered by Billdwag is full of mysterious powerful meanings that can be unleashed and may erupt uncontrollably at any moment [insert standard billdawg autofill, etc.]


Good god -- the man said thank you. That is more important than noting the huge antigenocide professor is UN ambassador? Or that there will be a doubling of foreign aid?

Unity -
Posted by PC on December 1, 2008 at 11:09 AM
9
I have no problem with a change that moves us back toward the Clinton days of unprecedented peace and prosperity, where America was seen as beacon of hope and democracy
Posted by Mrs. Y on December 1, 2008 at 11:31 AM
10
When there is undoubtedly the next huge genocide that occurs in the world - Rice will find herself helpless to stop it or limit its effects in anyway. The left should know this by now.

Genocide cannot be stopped in failed states without military action.

Rice will send Brad Pitt and Leonardo down to help but that won't do much.
Posted by Ed on December 1, 2008 at 12:11 PM
11
@10 Wrong. Rice is an expert in this field, not a Hollywood agent. She (and Obama) will send in whatever forces are available only after a multi-national coalition is assembled and when the American people are presented with the facts, you know, like in a Grown-Up World.
Posted by Andy Niable on December 1, 2008 at 12:21 PM
12
He may want to check his copy of the Constitution. (You know, that thing he plans to take an oath to protect...)

U.S. Constitution Article One, Section Six reads:

"No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."

In other words it prohibits senators (or representatives) from taking a civil office if the legislator has voted to increase the pay for that job.

The legislator has voted to increase the pay for the Secretary of State since Hillary joined it.
Posted by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me on December 2, 2008 at 11:27 AM

Add a comment

 

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC
1535 11th Ave (Third Floor), Seattle, WA 98122
Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use