While Obama's appointment of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State (and her acceptance) have been widely hailed as a measure promoting unity at home, foreign opinions are as diverse as they are numerous. Israel has applauded her nomination, perhaps feeling that her outspoken support of Israeli defense measures, such as a wall dividing Israel and the West Bank, might counter any perceived Arab favoritism the part of Obama. And when combined with Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emmanuel, who is Jewish, Clinton's presence becomes even more comforting to the state of Israel. On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority has expressed disappointment that Obama, a figure who is seen as a refreshing figure in US politics, would select the veteran Clinton, whose stances are less dynamic and creative. There are also fears that Clinton's policies might be constructed with an eye toward the pocketbooks of her numerous "pro-Israeli connections". Whatever the positions taken for or against her, Clinton remains a polarizing figure both at home and abroad.
LA Times Article
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Clinton seems like a good fit for the Secretary of State position. The Clintons are still fondly remembered around the world, and for all of her "landing under sniper fire," she has already met with a great deal of political figures, far more than most Senators, at least. It remains to be seen what Bill will do. I don't think he could stand staying too far back in the shadows.
Interesting to read on how the rest of the world reacts to the Clinton pick. Personally, I'm baffled why she would want such a job, unless it's just to widen her political legacy or she truly beleives she can do a lot of good at that position. Politically, I don't think it was such a shrewd move of hers to so firmly tie herself to the Obama Administration.
Well considering Hillary Clinton is a junior senator, the position of Secretary of State, a historically recognized position, seems far more appealing than her current one. On a different note I'm interested to know how they are going to address the "constitutional ineligibility" of Clinton to serve as secretary of state until her term expires in 2013. I imagine that they'll just lower her salary like they did with the predicaments in the past.
I agree with kees when it comes to Hillary tying herself to the Obama Administration as Secretary of State because during the campaigns she obviously tried so hard to distance herself from his ideas and positions. Also, personally I see her accepting this position as giving up on any future advancement in the political world because she is giving in and placing herself with a one-time opponent. However beneficial Hillary might be to this position and Obama's administration, she should have found herself a new niche and followed a new path in her career.
Well that's exactly what Obama DIDN'T want to happen. It would have been harmful to his administration if Hillary found herself a new niche and followed a new path in her career. It could possibly create a sub-culture of a support system for her and take away from Obama's popularity. I think Obama identified Hillary as a rival who could (and somewhat did) create a schism in the democratic party. She endorsed him and this brought the two groups together, but her acceptance of the Sec of State is like the final "closing of the wound." I don't know how she will be as a secretary of state in an international sense - but she does help the identy of the democrats in a national sense.
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