Hillary for Secretary of State

            It is becoming increasingly apparent that Hillary Clinton will be Secretary of State in an Obama administration. This bodes well and ill, like most political matters, and the boding generally depends upon one’s perspective. While many are ecstatic or at least well pleased with the selection of HRC, others think it to be a foolish or dangerous choice. One writer, Ken Silverstein of Harper’s, lists five reasons to see Ms. Clinton’s selection as a mistake. http://harpers.org/archive/2008/11/hbc-90003860

I disagree, not with Mr. Silverstein’s reasoning, but with his conclusion. While it is true that Hillary, and Bill, will, as usual, pursue their own agenda(s) within the office of the Secretary of State, that agenda will be personal rather than political in nature. The ability of the Clintons to significantly impact matters of legislation and governance will be limited by the international, rather than domestic, nature of the office. Clinton loyalty has always been a dubious thing, but it will be almost irrelevant in an office where the platform is global and the fanfare will satisfy their egos so that their historical intrusions on U.S. issues will be minimized. I believe that Barack Obama has made a wise and well-thought choice in tapping Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State.

 

            In the Secretary of State’s Office, the Clintons will not be so disposed to interceding in domestic policy, as they will have a much larger stage on which to play their roles. Being the chief diplomat, Hillary’s focus will be global, and she will probably lose sight of some of her less agreeable domestic agenda items while interacting with world leaders to bring about diplomacy and recognition the need for work on women’s issues, trade, and poverty, as well as addressing, in a limited way, environmental concerns. The international representation of the United States and repair to our foreign reputation is a monumental task suited to the astounding abilities of this woman and her husband. The job heading the State Department will keep both Clintons busy and out of the way for the work that must be done domestically.

 

            The selection of Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State is beneficial for all parties. This eventual appointment satisfies the Clinton ego and expands their stature while giving the U.S. a pair of known and generally liked representatives to the world at large. Their reputations and personalities will simplify the task of presenting a new American agenda and policy set to governments now grown justifiably suspicious of U.S. motives and goals. And, this appointment will have the added benefit of effectively nullifying further election aspirations for the Clintons, signaling a transition to a better domestic political environment, where new ideas and new thinkers can capitalize on the realignment of the American political system. While the Clintons will undoubtedly have some input, it will be the input of past experts rather than current contenders.