Clinton and Obama

[joeycola]

Indeed, it was a very wise pick (Hillary as SOS).

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/10/clinton-and-obama

Clinton and Obama


— By Kevin Drum | Fri October 16, 2009 11:35 AM PST

Is Hillary Clinton an also-ran in the Obama power structure? John Heilemann says no. She's just adopting the same “workhorse, not a showhorse” attitude that served her well when she first entered the Senate:


To the outside world, all this laying low has made Clinton look like less of a player. But the reality is almost exactly the opposite. From the outset, Hillary recognized that she could only exercise influence inside the administration if she were trusted by Obama and the people close to him. And although the president himself and Emanuel never had much doubt that she could be a team player, many others in the Obamasphere were supremely skeptical. But no longer. “In terms of loyalty, discretion, and collegiality,” says a senior White House official, “she’s been everything we could have asked or hoped for.”

The unfolding debate over Afghanistan is maybe the most conspicuous example of Hillary’s adroitness at working the inside game. Compared with Joe Biden and General Stanley McChrystal, her position has been opaque. But now comes word that Clinton and Gates are lining up on the same side in favor of a middle course in the region — not the full-blown troop surge that the general advocates nor the bare-bones approach that the V.P. favors. By all accounts, the likeliest outcome is that Obama will wind up pursuing the Gates-Clinton split-the-difference. And while no one will ever call it the Hillary doctrine, it will be the kind of quiet win that leads to greater internal power for her in the future.


I think Hillary has another edge as well: staying power. My guess is that a few years from now Jim Jones will be gone, Robert Gates will be gone, and McChrystal will be gone. But Hillary Clinton will be Secretary of State until the day Obama leaves office, and she'll accumulate influence and intimacy the entire time. By the time it's all over, my guess is that she'll be widely regarded as one of the most consequential secretaries of state in the postwar era.

[NYC_SKP]

1. In a way, I'm glad FOR Hillary that she didn't win. POTUS job, who needs it?

Nothing but grief, if you ask me.

Especially on the heels of all those years of negligence by the administration AND the congress.

More power to Obama and Hillary, and thanks to them both!

:patriot:

[xultar]

3. Exactly. I'm actually very happy for her that she doesn't have to deal with the hate

that comes with the job.

She will go down in history as the best president that could have been.

[joeycola]

12. :-)

[xultar]

2. Hillary would have been a kick ass president.

[ej510]

4. This is great news, but we need to get the fuck out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bin Laden is dead according to this article and I believe it. http://www.welfarestate.com/binladen/funeral/israel-intel.txt

[SIMPLYB1980]

5. It's good to see Clinton,

getting the credit she deserves.

[Beacool]

6. Thanks for posting this article, Joey.

Yeah, she has staying power. We'll just have to wait and see if she wants to stay for the duration. I hope that that he does.

:hi:

[PopSixSquish]

7. I've Long Thought That She Would Stay until Obama Leaves Office

It's obvious that Secretary Clinton likes her job and has developed a good relationship with President Obama. She's also very close friends with Joe Biden and I doubt she would leave why we still have so many issues around the world. Based on nothing but my read of her, I think she would consider it as abandoning her duty...

[Clio the Leo]

8. Now there's a dog that won't hunt.

That is, the notion that Hillary has been side-lined ... NOT your OP joey which is excellent.

I swear, where did that even come from? Does the press just tape crazy notions to a dart board and write stories based on what they hit?

[Cha]

9. Good for Hillary and Obama

is a kick ass president.

There're haters sure but the Love outshines all the ugly.B-)

[oasis]

10. "Workhorse, not a showhorse".

Yup, that's Hill. :yourock:

[joeycola]

11. Love it.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. When she was in the Senate, I heard many references to her capacity

and willingness for hard work.

[Flying Dream Blues]

13. I can't imagine a better choice for SOS. She's doing a great job

and I never beleieved she was being "marginalized". She wouldn't allow it, first of all, and secondly, Obama is not stupid. I also hope she stays for the duration, and I really think she will.

Too bad this article that sets things straight won't be seen nearly as much as all the "marginalized" blather...