I lay in bed this morning listening to Steve Inskeep of NPR interview Senator Clinton. While most have keyed in on her eyerolling Michigan primary assertions, I was intrigued by the defense of her foreign policy experience as First Lady. When Inskeep challenged her claimed experience in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, she became defensive:
You know, I find this an interesting conversation because there is no doubt that I played a major role in many of the foreign policy decisions. I represented our government and our country in more than 80 countries. I know that people are nitpicking and raising questions--that's fair; that's the campaign. But compare my experience even after the nitpicking with Senator Obama's [scary laugh]--I mean, let's look at this objectively here--and I think my experience is, you know, much more preparatory for the job that awaits
So that started me thinking ...
NPR Clinton Interview March 13
What modern First Lady can't say that she visited scores of countries, met with locals and dignitaries, or had face-to-face conversations with world leaders?
Questions I wish Senator Clinton would be asked and would answer (without spin):
- Does the experience of being a First Lady mean (for example) that you, Laura Bush, and Mamie Eisenhower would all be better prepared to be Commander in Chief than Barack Obama?
- You frequently say that you've been thoroughly vetted, yet you get defensive when someone researches your claims or questions that foreign policy experience. Why?
- If your role during your husband's administraton truly exposed you to dangerous war zones, delicate peace negotiations, and importuning foreign leaders on behalf of the US governement, is that an appropriate role for an unelected individual not requiring Congressional confirmation or oversight?
- Your husband has allegedly held up the release of many documents from his White House years which might help clarify your expanded role in his administration that you're claiming as crucial CinC type experience. Why?
- Your laughter during the interview with Steve Inskeep made it sound as if you beleve that any inquiry regarding your White House experience is somehow ludicrous, and that your assertions should be accepted at face value. Why don't you extend that same trust to Mr. Obama?