George's Bottom Line

George I think the deal is done...

except for this. You are dead on with this...

SOS is the best place for her

and the best place for the country for her.

The question is is it worth more to them in pure patriotism, value of saving the world's direction that we are on and being on this timely specific team that has that task at this crossroads and whether Bill wants to reveal how much went to the library to honor him...and how much went to the initiative that he has given to the world.

and there lies the rub for and about Bill Clinton...

the library...his income...and everything he has done for the world.

It's the 1997 question all over again.

It's the Michael Corleone question...

he's my father...his world is messy and fraught with conflict.

does that erase what he's done so well...

and what will HE put first.

After all the attacks, snipes, and slams on the Clintons over the past several years while simulatenously turning a blind eye to much more egregious and outrageous behavior by the Bush/Cheney gang and now you want us to take you seriously? Where's the rofl hysterically icon when you need it?

Remember that JFK wanted Lyndon Johnson as VP so he could get him out of the Senate and keep an eye on him.

I wonder if Hilary as SOS is the same ploy.

LOVE OF COUNTRY/LOVE OF HILLARY.............. Whatever anyone may think of HRC, SHE LOVES HER COUNTRY. From a young woman, she has never faltered from that. The bottom line here is that we had a 2 year campaign and that's a lot of time to sling mud, and mud was slung. But he election is now over, we have President-Elect Barack Obama. He won because he is brilliant, he rose above everything that was thrown his way, he stuck to the issues and came out the winner. HRC was never far behind him. If we think back many of their speeches we will recall what they want for our country are the same things. Middle Class America was on top of both their lists . While many may say she did not immediately get up and get on the trail for Barack and find fault with that, I think in the same position we all would have needed some space to re-group. Once the dust settled she was able to get out there and campaign as she always does, with her all. As far as SOS, just as we trusted and elected Barack Obama, we must trust his choice of the people he puts at his side. Yes we want change, but there are positions in the administration that require experience or the change will never come about. HRC has a lot to offer, she can look back to the times mistakes were made and offer suggestions for a better way. In the end we must never lose sight of who the boss is, President-Elect Barack Obama. One thing we should not allow to happen, in party fighting. The Republicans do enough of that for the entire country. We want peace not war and while we may not always agree, we do agree to disagree. We should all be putting our energy into a new energy plan not using it up picking apart fellow supporters. One thing I do know, who ever President-Elect Barack Obama chooses for his staff positions, I will respect his choices. I, personally admire HRC but many do not and that's ok. We all do not have to have the same opinion but we all should find a way to work together and keep America the great country she is. President-Elect Barack Obama won the election because he had the know how to see the long term problems and their solutions so I certainly trust him to put only the best and most qualified by his side. Marilyn from Florida

George!

How do you sleep at night? You have been such a traitor to the Clintons. If it was not for them you would be a bigger A$% than you already are?

HRC is the one of the best of what this country has to offer. Get out of the Obama tank, get a life, and let this happen.....

Hilary for SOS (Should have been Prez!!)

it is all good.

I'm a centrist. I voted for Obama. I am sick of the Clintons - I reserve that right. In one fell swoop Obama will - I believe - anger a large portion of the country by appointing Hillary. I don't think Bush/Cheney could have screwed it any more if they tried, but I just want the Clintons to go away. If I hear one more person trumpet their brilliance I'm going blow pies. If they were so brilliant why do they get caught constantly lying - both of them. Why should a world diplomat trust a person who looks at him in the eye, but has a record of lying with fluid ease.

I'm a centrist. I voted for Obama. I am sick of the Clintons - I reserve that right. In one fell swoop Obama will - I believe - anger a large portion of the country by appointing Hillary. I don't think Bush/Cheney could have screwed it any more if they tried, but I just want the Clintons to go away. If I hear one more person trumpet their brilliance I'm going blow pies. If they were so brilliant why do they get caught constantly lying - both of them. Why should a world diplomat trust a person who looks at him in the eye, but has a record of lying with fluid ease.

Oh no...!
Where did the Obama slogan "Change" go ?

It's a very BAD IDEA to appoint Hillary Clinton inside Presidnet Obama's team. Hillary and her baggage Bill wiil do whatever they want to do, not reflecting Obama's political policy!

Please, who really cares about any appearances or perceived conflicts of interest. In fact I can't believe this is even being brought up especially when one considers the fact that the Bush Administration has been getting away with "bloody murder" for almost 8 years running! Whatever direction Obama chooses in regards to selecting his Cabinet will be a positive step towards restoring a long forgotten value known as "integrity."

It’s hard to know where any of this is headed but truly the best way to succeed in life as an individual is to identify work you enjoy which enables you to be happy while also being present for your family. www.LikeSoup.com

Figuring out how to release or control the release of such information is a piece of cake compared to the situations she'll face as secretary of state. The job is most likely hers - and they are just going through a final vetting process. Bill will ultimately help more than hurt.

Hey Tony, are you seriously trying to paint the Clingons as a models of integrity?!!!

I think she should go for it. We need somebody tough, but diplomatic at the same time.

Hillary would be a great choice. She already has established relationships and credibility. She'd hit the ground running, making amends for the diplomatic void that has been the hallmark of the Bush administration.

Is Obama mad? There is NO good reason to put Clinton at State.

Clinton at State? Or 'parallel' government?

Barack Obama is one of America's shrewdest political leaders, but is he not risking his Presidency if he appoints Diva Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State?

Senator Clinton lost the Democratic primary to Obama. Anticipating a victory, many New York Democrats had been lining up to inherit her Senate seat. Since none expects Clinton could mount another Presidential campaign, they are pressuring President-Elect Obama to find a suitable government slot for Clinton.

Her Senate career is stalled as no Junior Senator gets powerful committees or subcommittees to chair. Nor is there a vacancy for Senate Majority Leader or Deputy.

Senior Senator Edward Kennedy (MA) has sponsored Universal Healthcare initiatives during his long career and intends to promote his own bill with the President-Elect's support. Despite Healthcare being Clinton's career hallmark, she is out of the power loop on this legislation.

Her best move would be to become Health and Human Services Secretary, a senior Cabinet position in the Obama Administration, where she can shape government's delivery on Kennedy's bill. There is already a management setup for Medicare and Medicaid that could compensate for her lack of executive and line-management experience.

This is the best opportunity to guarantee her a much-deserved political legacy.

On the other hand, Secretary of State is a much more visible, glamorous and prestigious option for both Clinton and her husband, former President William Clinton.

The problem for the Clintons is that the job is to carry out policy decisions of the President (with considerable input from his foreign-policy expert Vice President Joseph Biden).

It is not their own 'parallel' government. Nor can the President permit them to set up one.

Leaks from Obama-Clinton discussions indicate Clinton is demanding controls over policy as well as input in the choices of Secretary of Defense, NSA and CIA heads, etc.

If these leaks are true, Senator Clinton may be trying to negotiate maximum power for herself in advance--deliberately ignoring that she would only serve at the President's pleasure.

Giving her the kind of power she is asking for would set a dangerous precedent and would threaten the Executive Office with a nuisance at best and a rival administration in foreign affairs at worst.

Many foreign heads of state have made it clear that they are anxious for a 'new start' with America and want to meet with Obama personally.

For now, this new President has universal goodwill and trust among our allies and must take advantage of all opportunities to re-establish America's prestige. He cannot afford American rivals (who could be played to mischievous advantage) or mixed messages.

President-Elect Obama ran for office promising enlightened, pragmatic, bipartisan policies that would scrap President Bush's belligerent neocon foreign policy and Friedman supply-side economics (Reaganomics).

What signal does Obama send to America and the rest of the world when he chooses a neoliberal Democrat, who has a globalist husband with many business conflicts of interests, to head up the State Department as America's foreign policy face?

The demoralized State Department needs a proven professional with executive experience and line-management experience to reorganize it and its international outposts.

It needs a leader who understands its function and makes maximum use of the exceptional talents of its expert employees.

Our country needs a Secretary of State who is the Spokesperson for us citizens and our elected Executives not someone jockeying for Presidential power.

The job requires more than being a former First Lady, a former Junior Senator and a former Presidential candidate who is well traveled and has met many heads of state. It is not a job for a Diva.

It requires selfless service to the policies of the President and the Country.

Pot, meet kettle. And no name calling! Look, the Clintons have to be fully vetted if this not-great idea is going to work at all. Obama knows that, the media do too. Stop acting like somehow B and H are sacrosanct. And by the way, George -- WHY would the vetting stop with foreign investments? We live in a global economy -- U.S.-based interests have donated to the foundation while simultaneously working with overseas powers and international corporations. Some of these relationships are quite questionable. Please look into them before we give her the keys.

jburke has it right, Bill will help more than hurt. Hillary is brilliant, hardworking, tough and loyal. Obama would be lucky to have her on his team.

We've been down this road before, Susan. Different skin color but same basic premise of unity, peace, (fill in the blank). It didn't work then. It won't work now.

None of the main participants are being honest; not with each other and certainly not with us.

obama is very selfconfident, as we can see from our window in Belgium, but I hope this is not hubris. If he can manage to reign over the Clinton Dynasty in his own house, than he sure is as great as I dreamt he could be.

If Obama sacrifices transparency for some idea of holding your friends close ... then he is making a huge mistake for his presidency and for the country.

I still don't think SOS is right for her. She's too much of a hard-ass for that position. She should be the AG.

Hey, you Hillary-die-hards, how does it feel to know that you are melting away to irrelevance. Hillary won't get squat. The Clintons are a couple of political Rasputins whose time is up. They both make me ill.

Hey, you Hillary-die-hards, how does it feel to know that you are melting away to irrelevance. Hillary won't get squat. The Clintons are a couple of political Rasputins whose time is up. They both make me ill.

Posted by: Michael | Nov 16, 2008 10:06:44 AM

I hope you have to eat your words. The Clinton's are both respected overseas.It's just you Clinton and GOP haters who think it isn't a good idea.