I thought the picture sort of went with the "I can haz" affectation, Sharkbabe. I rather like the colors in the photo, as well.
Posted by Erin Alecto at November 13, 2008 06:50 PMShe would be great, but why not make her Attorney General?
Posted by joel dan walls at November 13, 2008 07:38 PMHillary as Secretary of State? Great! There goes the Middle East.
Posted by Shirin at November 13, 2008 07:43 PMShe would be great - for Israel. She would be terrible for Palestinians, Iraqis, Syrians, Iranians.
Posted by Shirin at November 13, 2008 08:18 PMI don't get it? Isn't she the counter of Obama diplomatically? What about withdrawel from Iraq? So many questions!
Posted by Seven of Six at November 13, 2008 08:21 PMSoS, Obama does not intend to end the occupation, and never did. His plan for Iraq is identical to Hillary's plan for Iraq - reconfigure the occupation and continue it indefinitely, keeping the Imperial Citadel (laughably called an "embassy") fully staffed and fully functioning.
Posted by Shirin at November 13, 2008 08:51 PMThe Obama campaign wouldn't have leaked this to Andrea Mitchell late today if it wasn't going anywhere; there's no way that Obama would poke her twice (once for VP and now this) as it would serve no useful purpose after she played ball during the election.
With news breaking late today that Obama may go with Richardson for Interior and Napolitano for AG, it clears a path for Hillary at State.
Folks, he's going for a rock star, "best and brightest" cabinet. Obama is not threatened by smart people all around him. Having Hillary and Biden spend the first two years cleaning up Bush's messes overseas and repairing relationships so that Obama can seal the deal and restore American leadership in the world in time for his reelection in 2012 is a great script.
Posted by Steve Soto at November 13, 2008 08:55 PMgood thinking steve. i can see her there and doing a good job. totally capable
let's hope that this best and brightest crew actually does more good for the world than the last set (of brilliant...uh...losers)
Posted by michael72 at November 14, 2008 01:55 AMShe was my pick for Secretary of State way back in the primaries when it looked like Obama would win. She knows a lot of world leaders, she's smart as hell and knowledgeable as hell too. I like it.
Posted by CG at November 14, 2008 03:56 AMHer interest, if real, confirms that her Senate gig was always merely a launching pad to the Presidency. As a New Yorker, that irks me. But we ought to have a real New Yorker in the senate, someone who will stay a while.
Posted by brooklyn at November 14, 2008 04:11 AMThat would be great, however, she has indicated her desire to stay in the Senate.
Of course Biden said he's wasn't going to be VP too, so who knows?
Hillary commands the attention and respect of world leaders so she would definitely be effective.
Posted by midwestdem at November 14, 2008 05:24 AMHillary as Secretary of State? Great! There goes the Middle East.
Because it's all going along so swimmingly right now?
Posted by snark at November 14, 2008 05:26 AMShirin, I have to disagree, one big incentive for us leaving is we cannot afford to stay in Iraq. It is killing us economically.
Maybe she can help the Middle East come to grips with women's rights.
Posted by Seven of Six at November 14, 2008 05:45 AMI'm in. And this was clearly a major "leak" from the Obama camp. I can't imagine he'd jab Hillary like this for fun, both of them must have agreed to trial balloon it first, I bet. She'd be great, I think, she's so wonky.
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 06:04 AMListened to NPR yesterday, and according to them, Obama is planning for withdrawal in 16 months, but not soon enough for me.
Joel, I agree. I would like to see her as AG.
Posted by Judith at November 14, 2008 06:18 AMbut, Secretary of State would be a smart appointment too.
Posted by Judith at November 14, 2008 06:31 AMIn my opinion, the Secretary of State should be someone who hates war and would only use war as a last resort, and who can firmly see Peace in their mind's eye; someone who recognizes that all men are brothers/sisters and that we all come from the same Source or Creator, to truly make some headway at bringing people together in reconciliation. That said, Hillary Clinton has earned her right to some cabinet post within an Obama administration. I am just not sure if being Secretary of State is the right one for her.
someone who recognizes that all men are brothers/sisters and that we all come from the same Source or Creator,
I think it'd be better if we kept the fairy dust out of the state dept, myself. This isn't a barn-burning production of Hair or Godspell for goo'ness sake! Sheesh.
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 07:56 AMIn my opinion, the Secretary of State should be someone who hates war and would only use war as a last resort,...
Has Hillary Clinton started some wars that I don't know about? Oh, right, she voted for the AUMF against Iraq. So that makes her a warmonger.
Frankly, I don't really see any advantage to her that makes taking the office worth it. It's highly unlikely that she'd keep the post for a second Obama term should he get one. So any policy and experience advantage she'd earn would likely be dissipated by 2016 if she decides to run again. Why should she give up a Senate seat that she really has no prospect of losing for that? It just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. Unless she has completely ruled out another run for the White House.
Posted by snark at November 14, 2008 08:12 AMI know he's not a new face but I'd not mind Richard Holbrooke as Sec. State.
Posted by snark at November 14, 2008 08:14 AMIn my opinion, the Secretary of State should be someone who hates war and would only use war as a last resort...
SOS doesn't make the decision to go to war ... frankly, the president isn't suppose to either given that power is reserved for Congress in the Constitution.
I think both HRC and Obama are better able to recall that than the current residents of the West Wing.
...someone who recognizes that all men are brothers/sisters and that we all come from the same Source or Creator, to truly make some headway at bringing people together in reconciliation.
OK ... so are you implying that HRC has, in some way, expressed a belief that some people are lesser than others?
Posted by The World's Turned Upside Down at November 14, 2008 08:30 AMShe'll be great!
She's already threatened to commit genocide in Iran. She didn't bother to read the NIE before voting for the Iraq fun and games, so she was as ignorant as Busch over the debacle. And she still has her flak jacket from Tuzla, so we'll save some money on outfitting her!
Posted by phidipides at November 14, 2008 08:38 AMI dunno, I guess it depends on what Hillary wants outta life. I don't expect her to make another run at the white house, do you?
It occurred to me just now, though, I was only half listening as Olberman was talking with someone else about the "leak" and I swear he said something about when Hillary goes to negotiate with foreign leaders, she'll have to duck at the airports to avoid sniper fire. Not sure if that's what I heard, but if it was, boy, he's such a dick.
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 08:42 AMAnd she still has her flak jacket from Tuzla, so we'll save some money on outfitting her!
Hmm. "Great" minds?
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 08:45 AMHer interest, if real, confirms that her Senate gig was always merely a launching pad to the Presidency. As a New Yorker, that irks me.
One can read whatever one is inclined to read into the actions of most politicians.
HRC is in her second term. Both Obama and Edwards (version 2004) were still first termers when they launched their own bids for the presidency. Bobbie Kennedy, too, was a first term Senator when he ran for President.
Clinton did a good job and was re-elected by a pretty good margin. She worked damn hard on behalf of the people of New York. So if she is seriously under consideration for SoS, maybe people could cut her some slack and take a moment to consider that perhaps Hillary found it difficult to turn down the President-elect when asked to serve?
Some of our elected officials really do view their service as just that ... take Rahm Emanuel for example. Many folks in the blogoshere dislike him because he isn't "progressive enough" but few of those people seem willing to acknowledge that he is making a personal and professional sacrifice in accepting the CoS job.
I swear he said something about when Hillary goes to negotiate with foreign leaders, she'll have to duck at the airports to avoid sniper fire. Not sure if that's what I heard, but if it was, boy, he's such a dick.
He was talking to Rachel Maddow during the handoff segment at the end of Countdown. He really did say what you heard.
And yes ... he is frequently a dick. A lot wittier without doubt but in many ways he really is our Limbaugh.
Posted by The World's Turned Upside Down at November 14, 2008 08:59 AMThanks, TWTUD, I thought I heard that. Sheesh. Now that the election's over, I'm glad I don't feel the need to watch Olberman and Tweety any more. Maddow, I like, she's fair, so far. But those two guys really make me gag, especially when they spend most of their shows still sniffing Palin's panties like a couple of slobbering freaks. Yawn.
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 09:36 AMiamcoyote, I thought that in Palin's Alaska, it was mandatory for all adults of either sex to wear jockstraps (with attached pistol holster, of course).
Posted by Colin at November 14, 2008 10:42 AMI'm glad I don't feel the need to watch Olberman and Tweety any more. Maddow, I like, she's fair, so far. But those two guys really make me gag, especially when they spend most of their shows still sniffing Palin's panties like a couple of slobbering freaks.
iamcoyote ... I with you regarding Keith and Tweety ... and Maddow, too.
I have to admit to being fascinated on some level by Tweety's Obama-love, though.
He spent most of the 90s and the early part of this decade talking like a 'winger. Then he seemed to take a shine to BO early on during the primary season. What I wonder is did Tweety suddenly rediscover the Dem part of his soul ... or is this some sort of political calculation given his apparent interest in Arlen Specter's senate seat?
Posted by The World's Turned Upside Down at November 14, 2008 11:09 AMI thought that in Palin's Alaska, it was mandatory for all adults of either sex to wear jockstraps (with attached pistol holster, of course).
You're right, Colin, and in some parts of Texas as well!
TWTUD - I don't know much about Tweety except what I've read on the blogs in the past, having only turned him on the last week of the election to get a feel for how the media was blowing and to support Maddow. By all accounts, Tweety's been one of those good ol' boys with a run-on mouth. Pretty much what I saw last week. He's not consistent on the right or left, or in what he rants about day to day. Don't like him a bit. He may like Obama, but he hated Palin, or just loved the chance to be an asshole because she's so stupid. Can't stand watching him 'cos he always looks like he's gonna drool. Olberman's just a pompous ass; Ben Affleck nailed him exactly, I thought.
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 11:27 AMCoyote - I can't believe you don't like KO. Yes at points he is a pompous, arrogant, windbag...just like me. But he is the only one who keeps Bill-O and Oxycontin Man (Rush) in check. Take a look at a few of KOs Speical Comments, I think you will see him in a different light. I can take Tweety or leave him.
Kudos on the Hillary nomination. Serves Obama well to be magnanimous and not be threatened by strong personalities.
Posted by angryman at November 14, 2008 03:50 PMOlberman has his moments ... for example, his Special Comment on Prop 8 was great ... tha was Keith at his best.
But he also lacks any sense of balance or proportion. Going after O'Reilly or Limbaugh frankly does not count as heavy lifting. Those two and their ilk are far too easy to satirize. But Olberman's lack of restraint -- and sometimes even reason -- render him far more like those stooges than many of his fans care to admit. Like Matthews, he is often his own worst enemy.
I just hope that Rachel Maddow avoids the temptation to indulge in the same silliness. The progressive side doesn't need a Rush or O'Reilly. Having a credible voice ... one that can argue coherently and persuasively for the left ... is far more valuable than the entertainment value provided by KO.
And I say that as someone who does like Olberman but frequently finds herself disappointed in him.
Posted by The World's Turned Upside Down at November 14, 2008 06:22 PMI just hope that Rachel Maddow avoids the temptation to indulge in the same silliness.
Me, too. So far it looks like she's resisting doing that, though she has to show deference to the guys who gave her the boost up to her own show. Once she gets a stable audience, I think she'll break away from the pundity stuff and aim towards covering the nuts and bolts stuff that's vastly more important. At least I have high hopes that that's how it'll play out.
Posted by iamcoyote at November 14, 2008 07:16 PMI thought that in Palin's Alaska, it was mandatory for all adults of either sex to wear jockstraps (with attached pistol holster, of course).
Piffle. You've got that confused with Judith and the last TLC convention in Patagonia. That was Judith's Juan...and, although quite a large caliber, it wasn't a pistol holster in his jockstrap....my little Chickadee. I firmly believe that is the TLC convention where we rented the car and a drunken iac thought she had run over a Penguin until SoS and I convinced her there were no giant 5'4" Penguins. It was then iac realized she had hit a Nun. It could have been Vatican City. The TLC conventions all melt together in an alcohol induced haze...and Leary.
Posted by phidipides at November 14, 2008 08:21 PM