While Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing seems like little more than a technicality, some argue that the Senate should use its power to prevent the wife of the ex-President from becoming Secretary of State.
Yesterday, commentator Christopher Hitchens provided an argument for taking a second look at Hillary as top diplomat. Not buying Bill Clinton's statements that he plans to stay in the shadows, Hitchens wrote:
Picture, if you will, Hillary Clinton facing a foreign-policy conundrum. With whom will she discuss it first and most intently: with her president or her husband? (I did tell you that this wouldn't be difficult.) Here's another one: Will she be swayed in her foreign-policy decisions by electoral considerations focusing on the year 2012, and, if so, will she be swayed by President Barack Obama's interests or her own?
Hitchens continues by pointing out that countless international oligarchs, royal families, questionable businesspeople, and special interest groups have access to Bill Clinton, and thus Hillary, thanks to their donations to his foundation. He even calls Bill the "great influence-peddler."
Are these concerns dead on, or is he just overreacting?
Linea
Catherine Malandrino
Giorgio Fedon
I think she will be a great Secretary of State. She competent, knows many of the people already and have a great foreign policies credentials.
1Hitchens hates the Clintons and the kind of questions he raises about Bill and Hillary could be applied to most candidates. If Obama nominated John Kerry to Secretary of State, wouldn't he have to worry that Kerry would make decisions based on his future ambitions? Would Kerry consider what foreign policy moves would best support his top donors? Would Teresa Heinz be consulted because of her fortune and influence?
2I think Hillary is her own woman. I don't expect her to depend on her husband's advice. I think she will do the best job that she can for Obama.
3"Hitchens continues by pointing out that countless international oligarchs, royal families, questionable businesspeople, and special interest groups have access to Bill Clinton, and thus Hillary, thanks to their donations to his foundation..."
4The same could be said of Poppy Bush, who has a library and is or was a partner in the Carlisle Group.
Exactly, Steph.
In any case, Hillary's husband's dealings shouldn't disqualify her. If she wasn't disqualified to run for President, she shouldn't be disqualified for S. of S. I believe she'll maintain all the transparency expected given her unusual situation.
5The law of the land disqualifies her. I don't see what difference her husband makes.
6I think those arguments are silly. I think they should only question the confirmation for valid reasons. If Obama wants to choose her, and she is not a complete screw up or has a major conflict of interest, the senate doesn't have the right to not confirm her. I may not like her, but it is Obamas choice, and I don't think she has done anything that would disqualify her from the position, however unqualified I think she is.
7Oh yes the pay issue does disqualify her, but would that be senates job to not confirm her. I wonder how that would work.
8It seems Obama just recently informed that he was interested in good ideas, where ever they come from ~ of course it was in terms of spending money efficiently and effectively; nevertheless I'm sure the President is always open to good ideas and President Clinton was an excellent President ~ apart from his personal stimulus plans.
9"his personal stimulus plans."
Ha! Good one!
10I agree with most of the posters. I believe she does have the capabaility to do a good job as S of S. The same question that the writer posed could go for any candidate's spouse.
11i think that people are always going to say something about her and who she would defer to first, and that's just talk at this point. i think that hillary has enough experience to know where her loyalties really need to be, and she'll talk to obama about things. you can't fault her for her husband, and it's given her really great insights to do the role that the president wants her to do.
12What stupid questions. None of them apply exclusively to Hilary, and they certainly shouldn't disqualify her. As many of you pointed out, these type of questions will be raised no matter who the candidate is. He just sounds bitter.
13I generally like Hitchens but his personal distate for the Clintons has completely clouded his judgment on this one. I don't think he can be objective about them at all, and his opinions should be viewed in that light.
I think she is qualified and capable and will work very hard. It will certainly be interesting to see how this "team of rivals" functions in the new administration.
14Even if Hillary is confirmed, there are always going to be people who are going to get their panties in a twist about Bill and Hillary. Granted, I'm not a support of the Clintons by any means, but give the woman a chance. She might just wow us all.
15What junior high school attendee writes these polls!?!
16I think the life that she has lived actually makes her incredibly well qualified for the position, instead of the burden that is suggested. Clinton is a "influence peddler" simply because he is massively popular around the world.
She has already met many of the people she will be dealing with, and has had a front row seat to major international dealings for over a decade now. Her life has given her a first rate education for this job.
17Yes...but I couldn't bring my self to click on the " People will always pick on Hillary" choice....seriously this woe as me kind of talk is counter productive, and it's not what we should be focusing on.
18Come on the confirmation is just a formality. It would be a personal attack on her to try to disqualify her. She's her own woman and yes she may consult Bill but it is an insult to pretend like she can't make decisions on her own.
19YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Hillary!
20Sure!
21I know it's only a technicality, and I do think Clinton is qualified, but I want them to take care of the question of ability, because of the pay increase. Am I the only one who wants all the i's dotted and t's crossed?
22Interesting choice of i's and t's to focus on.
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