The genius behind Hillary’s appointment as Secretary of State is not the much discussed ‘team of rivals’ approach (Doris Kearns Goodwin has to be smiling with the uptick in book sales, just in time for the holidays!) . It is instead a great tactical idea because Barack Obama just took his biggest rival for the leadership of the Democratic party and the person most likely to form a rump party if his administration hits the skids, and made her a stakeholder in the success of his administration.
Hillary is a supremely capable, and a supremely ambitious woman, and for any future Presidential amibitions to pan out she has to make sure that he is as successful as possible.
And it gets us the biggest Secretary of State we’ve had since probably James Baker, and the only person with the possibility of joining Baker and Kissinger as giants in the position in the modern era.
A great pick by Obama tactically and operationally.
I agree.
Who is going to lead the Senate and be both tough and persuasive. Feingold is tough, but can’t seem to get anyone to rally around him. Harry Reid seems like he can get people to rally around him, but seems to acquiesce to whatever the Republicans want him to do.
Who, in the Senate, is going to force a filibuster on every important issue? Who is going to have the courage and wherewithal to stop the Republican blockade? If not Hillary, then who? Great pick for S.O.S., but Pres. Obama needs a strong Senate. Who is left that can deliver. (Please don’t say Harry Reid).
Later, Alec
Can someone tell me why the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution does not bar her from serving as Secretary of State? She was a sitting US Senator when Congress voted to increase the pay of Condolezza Rice. Seems pretty straightforward.
Alec, you express my concerns too.
Reid should be replaced ASAP. He should have been replaced long ago. A paper tiger.
That’s not adequate reason NOT to “promote” Clinton to SoS.
She brings unique stature to the position, vs senate leadership. Surely there’s one leader
among the remaining senators that can take Reid’s place without assertiveness training?
Trompo
She will not be able to accept the higher salary.
Google “saxbe fix”