bill the envoy

In what was described by Rush Limbaugh as a “brilliant stroke”, my worst fears were realized: President Elect Obama picked Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State. This means of course at least 4 more years of the Clintons dominating the headlines. Whatever his motives, I still feel that Obama is going to be getting more than he bargained for. Not solely because of Hillary, but the 42nd President, Bill.

That leads me to question, what will the Obama administration do with Bill? The O Man has hinted that he would like Mr. Clinton serve in an unofficial diplomatic capacity-whatever that means. The press has been speculating that Bill could serve as an envoy for U.S./India/Pakistan relations due to his previous experience…and not to mention his financial ties to numerous foreign governments. I suppose that would be better than not having him do anything because an idle Bill Clinton is a bad Bill Clinton.

So far the former President has been cooperative during Hillary’s vetting process. He plans to release the names of over 200,000 library donors and he has agreed to curtail his foundation activities. However, what he really needs to do is promise to stay as far away from the White House as possible. The last thing the Obama administration needs is the lingering trail of cigar smoke and scandal from Bill. I know, I know, that Bill is still very much a beloved figure with some Democrats, but he is also one of the most polarizing figures in modern political history. When I think of bipartisanship, moral authority, and sensible leadership-all the things the incoming administration wants to portray, I don’t see Bill as part of the picture.

So if the speculation turns out to be true, as soon as Hillary is confirmed prudence calls for Bill to be placed on a one way jet to India as soon as possible.

Madame Secretary?

Today the news broke that our President Elect had a super not so secret meeting with Senator Hillary Clinton in Chicago this morning. There are whispers that she is being considered for the Secretary of State post following in the esteemed footsteps of Madeline Albright and the not so esteemed footsteps of Condeleeza Rice.
I don’t quite know how to feel about this. On the one hand, I’m glad Barack Obama is showing his magnanimous spirit by his consideration of her. She is very smart and capable. And if she tows the Obama line, she could do quite well. On the other hand, this is Hillary Clinton we’re talking about. The same person who just said a few months ago that Obama was naive and poo pooed his call for tough diplomacy. Let’s not forget that where Hillary is, Bill shall be there also. I’m not comfortable at all with the prospect of having Bill hovering around the White House like a stinky cloud again.
This could all be speculation of course. There’s no way of knowing if she’ll even accept the position if offered. She could still have her mind set on staying in the Senate and brewing up plans for a 2012 Presidential run. I mean, somebody has to be the ying to Sarah Palin’s yang, right? I still believe that Hillary wants desperately to be President, and a possible 4 or 8 year stint in the Obama White House could derail those plans. She doesn’t hide her ambition well at all. I can totally see her chafing under the rules the O-Man will set. I mean, he is “No Drama Obama”. I don’t think that the ultimate drama queen will be able to restrain herself.
Besides, having her in his cabinet might undermine the “Change” mantra that got him into the Oval office. It might not sit well with progressives who are sick of the way things are done in Washington if they see the ultimate Washington insider and her hubby kicking back at 1600. Even if Obama thinks that having her underfoot would be a good way to keep an eye on her, there’s only so much he could do I think. Conservatives will be gunning for her and the lost tribe of PUMA will constantly be whispering in her ear. It’s just not a gamble he should take. The Clintons will always be the Clintons, no matter what the their placards may read.