It should be crystal clear to everyone now why Barack Obama put his faith in Hillary Clinton when he nominated her to be Secretary of State. She’s simply the best person there was for the job and her first trip abroad has shown that from the moment it started.
Everywhere she has gone in Asia, Clinton has tried to highlight some of the tangible ways that the Obama administration hopes to be different from its predecessor: a commitment to address climate change, the appointment of a Middle East peace envoy, a refocusing on Afghanistan and an effort to reach out to longtime U.S. antagonists such as Iran, North Korea and Burma.
The administration is so new that many of these shifts are still wisps of ideas, not fully formed policies. In some areas, such as relegating human rights in China to a side issue, it is uncertain whether Obama’s team will do things much differently than Bush’s.
But as every politician knows, the tone can make all the difference. Clinton has emphasized that she is looking for partnership — or better yet, a “comprehensive partnership” — on these issues.
Her pitch is that the problems of the world — the financial crisis, climate change and extremism — are so overwhelming that no country can handle them alone, certainly not the United States. Remember, she’s saying, how the Bush administration went to war in Iraq virtually by itself (with Clinton’s vote of approval)? That’s in the past. We need help. And we want to listen.
On Tuesday, Secretary Clinton told students at Tokyo University, “My trip here today is to hear your views, because I believe strongly that we learn from listening to one another. And that is, for me, part of what this first trip of mine as secretary of state is about.”
Can you imagine Condi saying something like that on a trip abroad. Not. My, my how times have changed. And for the better. In fact, “there are few better ambassadors for a listening tour” than Hillary Clinton.
And not because she has already conducted one — the famous trip through New York state a decade ago when she contemplated a run for the U.S. Senate — but because the world stage fits her like an old shoe.
She was made for the job. Go read all of Glenn Kessler’s piece in the WaPo. It’s a great way to start the day.
Hillary is blooming where planted. I never had any doubts that she would.
Hillary can do anything.
I agree Pamela, and I think she’s probably in a more well-suited position than VP. I wonder if she and Barack already knew where she was likely headed when so many people were pissed off that she wasn’t in the running for veep.
She’s simply the best person there was for the job and her first trip abroad has shown that from the moment it started. She was made for the job.
Amen to that. I am thankful Barack had the generosity to appoint her. She is going to make her mark as she is a very hard worker. She has been gracious in defeat and worked for her party and country. Somehow I can’t picture the male candidates, in the same position Hillary was in, being as gracious and loyal. I’m not holding my breath, but I hope she will consider running again in 2016.
Petey, I sure think Obama knew were he wanted her. I think he knew this well before he even thought about who would be his VP pick.
I really don’t think generosity had anything to do with it. For the first time in my lifetime the Democrats had two candidates who cared about their country first and then their party. Obama choose the person who was right for the job, because country came first. Hillary would also have picked the right person for the job, because she also puts country first.
Conversly the Republicans are proving they put partisanship above the good of the country.
# angels81 Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I really don’t think generosity had anything to do with it. For the first time in my lifetime the Democrats had two candidates who cared about their country first and then their party. Obama choose the person who was right for the job.
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right now I think Obama is feeling lucky he has such a competent person on the job. She’s really hit the ground running. Biden has been a bit fumbly and tumbly and remember he was strongly mentioned for Secretary of State, so one can imagine a different roll out if he was in there.
Now THIS is the Hillary Clinton that the world respects and admires. I watched her performance on “Awesome” and she was just that — awesome. I also like the distinction Kessler drew between her warm, friendly approach and the military/cold approach of her two immediate predecessors. That’s exactly what we need right now.
Soft Power! (He shouts with right arm outraised and fist clenched.)
angels81 Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I really don’t think generosity had anything to do with it. For the first time in my lifetime the Democrats had two candidates who cared about their country first and ….
That’s what I mean angels81. Barack was generous of heart and mind – he didn’t let his ego prevent him from appointing her. Not all people would have done that. Their egos are too huge to allow that.
Okay, someone please clue me in. Who is Santelli. I just love what Robert Gibbs said at the daily news briefing. Evidently Santelli has been bad mouthing the help that the WH is going to give to the homeowners. He even said “I’ll buy him a cup of coffee, cash.” He said Santelli doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I didn’t hear what was said before so I don’t know what they were referring to.
I think she’s underemployed, of course.
But this is an OK “meet and greet” deal.
I’m still disappointed.
AnninCA
“Meet and great” — The job of the Secretary of State is so much more than that. I’m thrilled that she has this position and believe she will do so much to foster our relationship with so many countries that BushCo alienated.
Okay, now I know who Santelli is. And I have to say I agree with Gibbs.
AnninCA Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I think she’s underemployed, of course.
But this is an OK “meet and greet” deal.
I’m still disappointed.
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I would have loved to see Hillary as President too and I put in plenty of blood, sweat and tears (and any $ I could) to see it happen.
But I am grateful that we have a democrat as President and although Obama was not my first choice, I believe he is up to the job and that he will succeed. And I am thankful that the voters made the right choice when the cloice was Obama or McCain/Palin.
c chicago Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I’m still waiting to see how the Repubs spin Bible Spice not paying her taxes.
AnninCa,
With the exception of the VP under Bush (Cheney-who-whould-be-in-jail, I believe that is his native American name), the SOS is arguably the most important position after the president. To imply it is some type of ceremonial post is ludicrous.
I’m still waiting to see how the Repubs spin Bible Spice not paying her taxes.
Justle,
The cognitive dissonance among some Republicans is truly amazing. After all, many of them are already talking about the Obama Recession. ironic, since according to those same people, Bush inherited the Clinton Recession.
By the way, Palin’s tax issues were already apparent before the election. The per diem thing had already been uncovered the Anchorage Daily News. We are not dealing with an honest person here. If ever runs for the top of the ticket her Republican opponents will make an issue of her back tax problems.
It is fantastic to see how well Hillary is doing, and how much she is enjoying it! The woman is a force of nature
She does seem to be relishing her new role and seems so happy….and tireless! It’s great to see.
Lynette
I often wonder where these politicians get all their energy from.
PamelaLeavey Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Lynette
I often wonder where these politicians get all their energy from.
I have no idea. Maybe they like a challenge. I know I couldn’t do it. I think Hillary likes being appreciated – it keeps her going.
Lynnette
I don’t think I could do it either. And I agree about Hillary liking being appreciated. We all do… it keeps us all going I think.