The Swan Song

Barack Obama's election seemed to indicate the era of the Clintons was over.  Now that Hilary Clinton has accepted the post of Secretary of State, its clear that she knows she will never be president.  Being in the US Senate was simply a means to an end, and with that end now gone there is no reason to go on.

The Secretary of State can be a powerful position, but it has not been in a long time.  Its where elder statesmen go to die, with the possible exception of Condilezza Rice.  But America's last great secretary was George Schultz, and that was a long time ago.  Its become harder and harder because diplomacy now flows out of the White House and, really, the defense department.  But the most powerful everyday practitioner of foreign policy is the national security advisor, and nobody should know that more than Clinton, because her husband's presidency was perhaps the epitome of White House-run foreign policy.  

I'm not sure what Hilary Clinton hopes to gain here?  Her foreign policy experience is limited to most auxilary roles in her husbands administration and her Senate tenure.  She's a unity candidate, like they use to do back before the turn of the century when secretary of state went to a party elder who usually had run for the presidency a couple times ( see James Blaine, Thomas Bayard, and John Sherman).  But in the end, it spells the Clinton's total surrender of the Democrat Party to Barack Obama.  And I suppose it was her only move.  Obama's overwhelming coattails and his electoral victory were enough to stamp him the unquestioned leader.  There will be no "wings" of the party any more.  Hilary Clinton will serve as Secretary of State for four years, she will travel the world, work on treaties and peace negotiations, and she will do her best to advise the president.  But she will be working for his policy, not hers.  The real power will flow through the White House and the Senate Foreign Relations committee.

My prediction?  American Foreign policy will be run by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, James Jones, and John Kerry.  Hilary will get a seat at the table, but in the end will become Obama's chief international spokeswomen.  

Comments

[Justin]

Total surrende3r? I can't agree with you there. Seems like everyone appointed to date has had a previous hand in the Clinton White House. It appears that the Clintons are back for more. I heard an excellent analysis last night on this issue. All of the appointments so far have been people that are only out for themselves, and what's more, the only allegiance that they have that is greater than themselves is to the Clintons. How much allegience can they have to Obama when the head negotiator for Hillary as well as Obama over her SOS post were both highl level players for Bill? Obama has dug himslf a deep hole already vis-a-vis his appointments.

[Loudoun Insider]

I think I have to agree with Justin here. I am simply amazed at the level of Clintonite influence this early in the Obama administration. I also believe it will only be a matter of time before Bill does something extremely embrassing or unethical to embarass Obama.

[Justin]

Even more change? Look who Obama picked for communications director:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15886.html

Really? A progressive America? Is that what is needed? I think not.