Hillary at State? Being part of the Senate Armed Services Committee isn’t a bad jumping off point.
Some of Hillary’s greatest fans and most ardent supporters are clamoring for
her to have a big role in healthcare. No doubt, that’s a natural for her, but
I’ve never felt that would happen, due to the seniority rules in the Senate, to name just one reason. It’s now clear that Baucus and Kennedy
will be driving the health care debate, which really should not surprise anyone. However,
healthcare has never been the role I’d prefer for Hillary going forward, if given a choice. Rumors have been flying, though no one in either Clinton or Obama’s camp is talking.
Senator Clinton’s natural role is international, as far as I’m concerned. It has been
since her speech in China set the world on fire, when she pointed to women’s
rights as human rights. Secretary of State is as good a fit as it is an inspiring
choice for a woman of such strengths. Will it happen? Who knows. But
President-elect Obama knows what her presence would mean to the world representing our country and his Administration, especially
as we try to bring countries like Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, but especially
the countries of Africa, into the 21st century, getting nations around the world to accept the concept of women being equal to men.
Women around the globe are still considered property in many places. Obama’s
outreach to the Arab and Muslim world in a post-Bush era offers many openings.
Remember that story in the TM headlines about the 13 year-old girl in Somalia who was stoned for being
raped? Look at the video above to give you another example of the crimes against
young girls and women in some nations where fundamentalists rule. On human rights alone, President
Obama could send a strong message with the choice of Clinton at State.
Hillary on the world stage? It would be fitting the power and magnetism of
this woman, who is not only qualified for the job, but ready.
UPDATE: Laura Rozen adds another plus and a very interesting point to Clinton at State.
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