From Deseret News archives:

Diplomat: Her resume could be mixed blessing

Published: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 12:07 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
WASHINGTON — During the Democrats' quarrelsome nominating contest, Hillary Rodham Clinton argued that she, and not upstart rival Barack Obama, had more impressive credentials as a statesman: familiarity with world leaders and problems, toughness under fire.

Now that she's under consideration to be Obama's pick as the nation's top diplomat, that resume might come in handy. Or not.

The prospect of the New York Democrat becoming the face of American diplomacy suggests that Obama is serious about assembling a "team of rivals" in the fashion of Abraham Lincoln's wartime Cabinet, and that he is not worried about Clinton's wattage outshining his own.

In equal measure, her possible selection as secretary of state raises red flags for allies and opponents alike.

At the top of the list of negatives is suspicion that Clinton would pursue her own agenda or mount rearguard campaigns inside the Obama administration. She was accused, perhaps unfairly at times, of doing that as first lady.

"I don't see him wanting her there, because she would be an independent actor," said Ray DuBois, a former Pentagon management and personnel official under President George W. Bush. He added that he doesn't think Clinton really wants the job. "It could work, but my instincts say no."

Story continues below
Then there is the potential minefield of husband Bill Clinton's international aid and development efforts and tangled business dealings, plus his ambition and outsize persona.

Leon Panetta, Bill Clinton's chief of staff from 1994 to 1997, sees the former first lady as an attractive prospect, in part because she has the stature to be an effective voice abroad.

"I think it would be an outstanding selection because she really does understand foreign policy issues," he said. "The Clinton name obviously opens a lot of doors in international policy, and there's a lot of goodwill associated with that name, which I think is going to be particularly important as you try to repair relations around the world."

Clinton herself has not always appeared statesmanlike. As first lady she kissed Yasser Arafat's wife, and by doing so seemed to endorse Mrs. Arafat's anti-Israel remarks.

Clinton was an activist first lady and took a keen interest in foreign policy. She traveled to more than 80 countries — with her husband and alone — to promote U.S. policy and the cause of women and children.

She also helped herself to a bit of extra credit along the way.

Clinton has taken credit for negotiating open borders for refugees fleeing Kosovo, standing up to the Chinese government over women's rights, and flying into Bosnia when it was too dangerous to send the president.

Recent comments

Dan reminds us why many Democrats were willing to look at Clinton...

Lewt | Nov. 15, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.

Looking forward to this appointment. We'll see how a demo Secretary...

Dan | Nov. 15, 2008 at 7:04 a.m.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

will be decided by Byu's Rudy Defensive Backs. I'm betting that David Reed...

Glenn Beck to enter politics?

it would be awsome to watch !! a match made in in EGO-HEAVEN

Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25

I am a BYU fan so I am not exactly complaining, but can someone tell me why...

The purpose of religious law is to get us back to God. The purpose of...

Glenn Beck to enter politics?

for president 2012 LOL LOL i'd love to see it on a bumper sticker **...

Dems are at odds with the whole idea of what is best for the USA. Something...

until you play the Utes this weekend. Then it will only be fun for the Utes D.

Cougars put the fun back in football

lighten up. do you not have any humor? good article.

RSL dancing with soccer stars

I was on the edge of my seat last year during the playoffs. That would so...

3A: Juan Diego's last-gasp play

I am glad I got to be a part of a game that will go down in history. Even...

Advertisements