Home > Opinion > John A. Farrell > Team of Rivals? No, Team of Superstars. Why Obama Tapping Clinton for Secretary of State Makes Sense

Team of Rivals? No, Team of Superstars. Why Obama Tapping Clinton for Secretary of State Makes Sense

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Before Hillary Clinton can become Secretary of State, the Obama administration will certainly insist on a number of conditions which could include:
1) Bill Clinton must provide a complete listing of all donors to his foundation and presidential library.
2) Both Bill and Hillary Clinton must agree that any and all private financial dealings and other interactions with foreign leaders will not take place unless specifically authorized by the US government.
3) Hillary Clinton agrees to publically discuss exactly what her approach to the job of Secretary of State will be and clearly indicate how she will be able to perform that job without any conflict of interest whatsoever.
If Bill and Hillary Clinton are unwilling or unable to comply with whatever the Obama administration considers necessary, Hillary Clinton cannot become Secretary of State. The ball is in the Clinton’s court.

Robert of CA 5:33PM November 19, 2008

The site DraftFareed.org has an excellent analysis of some of the many reasons why Hillary Clinton would be a bad choice for Secretary of State. http://draftfareed.org/hillary-clinton-wrong-secretary-state/
Personally, I think Fareed Zakaria would be an excellent choice - a political "realist" with no personal political ambitions who understands the nuance of diplomacy and can effectively discuss President Obama's agenda with the world's leaders.
For example, who else was able to get Chinese Premier Wen Jia Bao to sit down for an "anything goes" interview?

Matt Brown of CO 4:18PM November 19, 2008