I have been reading diaries for the past two days already disecting a "possible" Clinton appointment as Secretary of State. I remember reading after the election, diary after diary praising Hillary Clinton for the all the hard work she did to get President-elect Obama elected. At that time you all couldn't say enough nice things about her. I remember reading comments like "the past is the past, what matters is that she worked hard for Obama" and many others similar.
Now you are all engaged in a "trash Hillary" moment and questioning whether Bill Clinton's foundation would automatically disqualify her from the post.
There are even theories that Hillary's supporters are spreading the rumours and doing so to force Obama to offer the post to her.
I just don't understand I guess.
While I personally did not support Hillary's bid in the primaries, and I was furious with her for some of her attacks, let's be real here. That was the heat of the campaign and Obama even said he fully expected that. Let's face it, in fact Hillary made Obama a STRONGER candidate for it. She did not incite people to hate nor did she do as Palin did and incite her crowds to hate language and actions.
After she lost in the primaries, she kept her word and worked hard to help Obama win the election. So did Bill Clinton. They were there whenever Obama asked them to be.
Bill and Hillary are old political hands and understand the politics of endorsements. You think they don't? Granted Richardson as an old friend of theirs must have hurt but they knew he was angling for a new position in the next Presidency. They aren't fools people. Whatever you may think of them they are not stupid.
Hillary is more than qualified to be offered the position of Secretary of State. In fact, she is one tough lady and may be exactly what Obama wants.
You were all so excited about the elction and now immediately you think you know better than Obama what he needs. Just like before he was elected, you questioned his judgement on everything, from where his appearances were to how he should attack McCain in debates, to why isn't he going negative to counter McCain and Palin. You were all wrong and Obama knew exactly what he was doing.
Now you are already questioning his judgement on who he should pick for high level positions. If HE feels Hillary is what he needs, as a supporter you should trust his judgement.
This guessing game and rumour mill is rediculous. If Obama wants Hillary, he knows what he is doing. Maybe he wants a tough lady who will disagree with him at times in the position. Who knows? But whoever it will be for SOS, it is up to Obama to decide and attacking Hillary and seeking to place blame on her or her supporters for the rumours is unfair to her. You automatically look for underhanded motives on her part.
As for Bill Clinton's activities disqualifying her, you are wrong. How do you know that the reason for her taking time to think about her discussion with Obama regarding the position isn't for the express purpose of putting in place some requirements of Obama's regarding Bill Clinton's work. Perhaps he asked her to work with Bill to separate legally any and all activities regarding his foundation. I personally suspect Obama had his lawyers make up a list of requirements that would "divorce" Hillary from the activities of Bill Clinton so that there would be no conflict of interest. But that is a supposition. We don't know what is occurring. Maybe it's Andrea Mitchell you should blame. Maybe Barack offered Hillary a DIFFERENT position in the Cabinet. No one knows, and that is the point, isn't it?
But I know this, many in Congress have already stated that Hillary is qualified and would be approved by them as Secretary of State.
So please, stop attacking Hillary. Last week you were praising her and now you are attacking her. I am not her biggest fan, but I do recognize that she is indeed qualified for the position and if Barack wants her in the administration, I personally trust his judgement. You should also. This would be a self-confident move on Obama's part to put her in the Cabinet and it impresses me personally.
Hillary, Bill AND Hillary's supporters are giving Barack Obama the respect he deserves as President-elect. I would suggest those who are suggesting conspiracy theories regarding Clinton supporters efforts to force Obama to give Hillary a position just get over it. As she has for her entire political life, Hillary has taken her "lumps" and losses and kept on working for her party, our party. The heat of battle in the primaries is just that. Stop with the Hillary bashing. She is qualified, period, for whatever President-elect Obama might want to appoint her to. Being a New Yorker I am well versed in how tough Hillary can be even though I did not support her for President, I do admire her toughness and perhaps Obama thinks that's exactly what he needs. But that is for him to decide.
No matter what you may personally feel about Hillary, I do know that for her entire political life, Hillary has worked for the benefit of women, children, and the middle class. Currently she is working on pushing for more upstate jobs in New York. She is going about the business of representing the needs of New York, trying to bring more jobs where they are sorely needed. Give her a break will you?