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Republicans for Hillary!
Neocons, right-wing scribes, and impeachment managers are in rare agreement with Obama —Clinton is a great choice for Secretary of State.
>Hillary Clinton has found some unlikely allies and supporters in her journey to becoming Secretary of State: neoconservatives, contributors to the National Review, even a former manager of her husband's impeachment proceedings. You might call it a vast right-wing conspiracy.
How to explain the generally positive take Republicans have on Clinton's nomination? Her willingness to veer right in international policy. While she all but—all but—apologized for her pro-war vote in the Democratic primaries, Republicans are counting on her toughness in the days ahead. As one consultant put it: "We all know that secretly, she's a hawk." Writing in The Weekly Standard's blog, Michael Goldfarb wrote hopefully about Clinton "even present[ing] the case for war with Iran to an insubordinate United Nations in the event that Obama's personal diplomacy somehow fails to deter the mullahs from their present course." His editor, Bill Kristol, responded to the news with a giddy email: "I look forward to working with her!"
Reached this afternoon as word of an official offer was spreading, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)—he's the former Clinton impeachment manager—had nothing but praise about the selection. "She's got the right skill set for the job," he said, "There's no country in the world she can't go to. I mean, she's Hillary! Not many people in the world are known by their first name like that." Graham said her confirmation in the Senate should be "no problem," thanks to her knack for personal diplomacy. "She's good at giving credit to others, which works well in the Senate." As for diplomacy abroad, Graham emphasized her less warm and fuzzy side, "She's gotta pretty good view of how the Russians are drifting in the wrong direction." By "good,” Graham means a view NOT shared by all of her Democratic colleagues. Echoing Goldfarb, he added, "in the primaries, she had a tougher view on Iran than Obama."
"I look forward to working with her!" Bill Kristol wrote in an email.
Among former McCain advisers—Graham was one of the closest—Hillary's selection probably satisfies their sense that she has better judgment than Obama on foreign policy matters. McCain was respectful, even deferential to Clinton as a colleage, and staffers made no secret about their preference for Hillary as a more worthy rival. Her elevation, however, might also come with a surprising bit of schadenfreude: Clinton as Secretary of State means that Obama supporter John Kerry—once counted as a friend of McCain's—would not profit from his role as attack dog against the Republican nominee. News reports that Kerry ran after McCain to catch an escalator ride with him on his first day back on the Hill have been met with amusement by former campaign staffers, who pledge to hold a grudge even if McCain doesn't.
For her part, Clinton advisers explain her appeal to the right with an aphorism that would serve her just as well in her new role. Says a source close to the Senator, "Political pragmatism is where this starts and ends."
Ana Marie Cox is a Wonkette emerita, political junkie, self-hating journalist, and author of Dog Days. She has worked for Time, Mother Jones, Suck, and most recently, Radar. Follow her on Twitter.
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While I think this is a great pick for his Cabinet; it is also a very politically savvy move. Here you basically have Obama take his main competitor out of the 2012 campaign and force her to wait until 2016. By then, she will face issues about age and health, much like McCain. Who says Obama is wet behind the ears when it comes to politics?
Hi Ana Marie. Love you on Rachel Maddow and from Jezebel's Crappy Hour. Glad to see you here. Welcome.
umm I don't think Obama's going to be running against his own party for election in 2012
The Eye in the Sky looks knowingly and lights the Clintons path towards globalization. Is Obama an Initiate of the One World Order league of Fascism?!? Will Obama turn her loose in hopes her hard headed inexperience will embarrass America into calling for her resignation? Will Hillary Clinton be the greatest Secretary of State of all time? These Questions and more "As The World Turns"
Would someone please remind Mr. Kristol that, despite his delusions to contrary, he is (thankfully) not a member of the state department.
I believe that the right is merely dazed and confused (evidenced by Kristol's statement) about what to think of this possible very powerful alliance.
Among the stupendous wows for having Hillary as SoS is the fact that it will serve to get larger swaths of the American Public actually interested in diplomacy and in our international relationships. Presidents make the occasional Huge Trip and in-between the public tunes out on The Globe. Now we'll get informed on a much more frequent basis. It's about time.
Bill Kristol's a funny monkey... He seems to go all gooey and gushy over woman in whom he sees talent. Recently, it was he who touted himself as the "kingmaker" for Sarah Palin (This is really weird... I had to struggle there to remember her name!) and now Dan Quayle's old Chief of Staff is pushing Hillary's wagon. Maybe that's not such a good thing...?
And that praise for Senator Clinton from Lindsey Graham was truly celestial. Perhaps he tapped into Hillary's pain during his time as Bill's Impeachment Manager, a period that's going to leave a lingering taste in more than his mouth. So, if "she's got the right (read "right-leaning") skill set for the job", and "there's no country in the world she can't go to" (I think on State Dept diplomatic passports you pretty much go where you want) she should be a shoe-in. "I mean, she's Hillary! Not many people in the world are known by their first name like that".
Maybe on the last point, there'd be a few in disagreement.
They'd certainly include State Department freelancers Bono, Brangelina and Oprah. Then there's Madonna, Elton, Elvis, Eartha, Hoagy, Muddy, Jelly, Joni, Carly, Bruce, Bob, Stevie, Ozzy, Alice, Bjork, Cher, Dido, Rihanna, Jewel, Miley, Eminem, Enya, David & Posh, Pink, Pamela, Prince, Sigourney, Whoopi, Arnold, Matt, Mel, Woody & Mia (sorry, am behind myself), Spike, Walt, Kirk, Cary, Humphrey & Lauren, Frank, Marlon, Katherine, Bette, Joan, Vivien, Elizabeth, Goldie, Diane, and Truman, and Sting, Shakira, Selena, Twiggy, and I could go on...
And I will... Axl, Fabio, Flea, Xzibit, Ludacris, Ice, Rock, Yanni, Yul, and Lance, Pele, Ronaldo, Moby, Tori, Conan, Jay, David, and Jon. Then, importantly, there's Charlie, Groucho, Chico & Harpo (& the other two...), Curly, Shem & Moe, Huey, Dewy & Louie, Daffy & Bugs, Elmer & Porky...
And some only need letters... JK, JRR, WB, EE, TS, CS, JC, JD, WC, MC, LL...
And the penultimate... One letter...
"W"
ps. So, good luck Hillary (or "Hilly" to her intimates). You got company on the mono-appellation front who, I sure, all wish you well.
Why the link on the word neocons take to an article from the Al Guardian where no mention to any neoconservative is made? Does Cox believe that neoconservative means republican?
Obama could be the smartest guy in the world. How did he convince Clinton to abandon a powerful Senate position, a chance for real vocal strength on domestic issues, and a future Presidential bid? I think he offered her something much better. There aren't many books written about Senators, even powerful ones, but there will be a metric ton of books written for decades about the US Sec of State who brokered the lasting Israel-Palestine peace agreement. She might just do it too. Obama has turned her "deficits" into assets; "shady connections" are morphed into established relationships; her "ruthlessness" will garner respect, her "personal ambition" becomes the investment needed to achieve a stable Middle East.
Wow, here's a surprise: Ana Marie Cox, the McCain apologist, painting pretty pictures of Hillary and Bill Kristol together, as if that's a good thing.
I see the Daily Beast is turning into another head on the Hydra.
I can't see how choosing Hilary would be a good thing for Obama. I don't believe she would have his interest at heart. In fact, her agenda was different than Obama's during the fierce campaign. It's enough that she is pro Israel in everything and that she voted for the war. With that, how could she be a fair negotiator in the Middle East. PLEASE Don't do it Obama!
Superb! Obama couldn't have made a better choice for Secretary of State, and the support of republicans makes this even more clear. While Obama's progressive views on soft power make him the better choice to lead the country, it's clear that Clinton is much more astute at understanding people's true motives. Obama needs someone to tell him what the other guy is really up to, and Clinton needs someone to tell her when to take the high road and let the other party rise to the occasion. They're perfect for one another.
Neocons praise... Hillary? Hillary!!?
Stop. Please. The doublespeak is... hurting my head. Kristol is O'brien, right? Is Graham with them? Who is Lieberman? I just... don't know what's right, anymore. Maybe it's the gin.
I need to make sure my webcam is off- I have not yet won victory over myself.
I was one of those who believed Obama when he said that the country needs change more than experience. Based on that I voted for him in the primary and general election. No that he is in office he is saying experience is what we need not change. Hence Clinton Redux III.
I hope some one will challenge him in 12.
Another step to regaining respect around the world. Simple.
magicspin
Very funny. But who's Muddy? Muddy Waters, the old blues man?
As a Republican for 27 years who supported Obama, this is a hard one for me. I trust Obama's judgment - he's proven me wrong all through the primary and general election when I was playing armchair quarterback. But boy are my negative feelings about the Clintons ingrained. I will trust Obama again on this one, and your article, Ana Marie, helps confirm his judgment on this decision was probably right, but it's hard, especially after the primary fight.
President Elect Obama is a great example for us all in forgiveness and pragmatic cooperation. But I'm afraid I'll never get even close to where he is. I want Hillary, McCain, Leiberman and even Terry McAuliffe slapped hard for their political mudslinging and smears against Obama.
When I got your Twitter, "HRC's vast right wing conspiracy", I thought you meant the Human Rights Campaign! This is almost as interesting, just not nearly as scandalous.
I really don't like the Hillary pick. Her staff will always be rubbing the Obama staff the wrong way and they leak to the press. Hillary is NOT a diplomat, she's a fair weather politician!!! I think she will have problems in the Middle East because she's a woman and without military experience. The Republicans love Hillary as a State pick, because she's Bush-lite. She's a hawk for war and biased to the corporate rich on the economy. She only differs with Bush on social issues. This is NOT the CHANGE WE NEED!!!!
Does this scare anyone else?
I think Hillary would be more appreciated in the Senate, a excellent intermediary between the Republicans and the Democrats.
YES this scares me! I feel disappointed if Obama does go through this. What about Powell???
What is Bill Kristol smoking? Like Hillary is going to be consulting that deranged neocon.
Ms. Clinton Is a Neocon in her approach to foreign policy. I am not at all surprised Bill Kristol is delighted to work with her. When Israel bombed Lebanon, Ms. Clinton said publicly that we would bomb Canada if there were individuals lobbing rockets into the U.S. Funny, I wonder what happened with working with Canada to catch the individuals involved. This is exactly why I did not vote for her and I think it is an abysmal choice for pres-elect Obama. Any other domestic cabinet position for Ms. Clinton would have been much less dangerous for the county. I am terrified of her in the role of Secretary of State.
Thank you.
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