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Reihan Salam

Why I Don't Envy Hillary

Having run for president on a platform of jobs, jobs, and more jobs, Clinton has also met with Indian billionaires and officials in an effort to drum up demand for American products and services. It helps that the U.S.-India economic relationship rests on ties of warmth and affection: of the billionaires at Clinton's breakfast in Mumbai, a large number spent formative years in the United States as students. And though India has made tremendous strides over the last decade and a half, its leaders have no illusion that they're about to displace America as an economic superpower, whereas the Chinese have grown steadily more assertive. If anything, America's leadership class is cheering India on as a potential counterbalance to Chinese power while Indians see America as a vital partner, one that's been more than willing to purchase cheap outsourced business services.

Things did get a bit dicey when the secretary of State delicately danced around the Obama administration's differences with India over climate change. Jairam Ramesh, India's environment minister, rather indecorously groaned about U.S. insistence that his developing country enter a global agreement on curbing carbon emissions. The classic, and correct, Indian argument on the issue is that it is the rich countries that have benefited the most from spitting carbon emissions into the atmosphere over the last 200 years, and so it is the rich countries who should do something about it. Crippling economic growth now through onerous regulations would be a serious blow to India's poverty-stricken majority. The U.S. recognizes, however, that a leaky international agreement, in which polluters can simply set up shop in India or China to avoid tough regulations, might devastate its manufacturing base. To her credit, Clinton tried to split the difference by arguing that India could actually fuel its economy by adopting clean and efficient technologies. But is one area where U.S.-India differences are likely to remain sharp.

Clinton's Asia trip continues in Thailand this week, where she'll meet foreign ministers from throughout Southeast Asia to discuss the global economic meltdown, terrorism, and coups, all while eating spicy food. I don't envy her.

Reihan Salam is a fellow at the New America Foundation and the co-author of Grand New Party.

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July 20, 2009 | 6:30am
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This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.

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7:39 am, Jul 20, 2009

daddynobucks

One correction Lehi. Maybe someone else out there knows better, but I believe that India's and Pakistan's hatred of each other is actualy religeon based. Big suprise huh? In this case it's Muslim/Hindu hatred. I think that geneticaly they are one people seperated after the fall of the Ottoman empire.

You're right though. When I meet a south asian I'm afraid to guess if they are Indian or Pakistani because if you get it wrong they will be very upset.

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10:42 am, Jul 20, 2009

doko84

Mr. Salam, I gotta say, this article is much, much better then the right wing propaganda pieces you've been cranking out for the last few months. I also enjoyed enjoyed the last one you wrote on healthcare.

There is still a tinge of conservative bias, but all in all it's refreshing to have someone writing for this fluffy site who actually knows how to write.

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7:55 am, Jul 20, 2009

Banjo1

If this article was meant to make people feel sorry for Hillary, it fell laughably short. In accordance with that principle, she has failed upward with each job. Now in her highest-profile position yet, she is not setting the world on fire. A plodding, methodical wonk who owes her prominence to her nominal husband, she will turn out to under-perform even Condy Rice.

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8:01 am, Jul 20, 2009

daddynobucks

Banjo, Banjo, Banjo! Did you even read the article? I assure you, it was not meant to make us feel sorry for Hillary.

I'll give you that Condi is every bit as bright as Hillary. Unfortunatly, for Condi, she was stuck carrying the banner for the misguided foriegn policy of the Bush administration.

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10:57 am, Jul 20, 2009

Banjo1

"Having fractured her elbow last month, the secretary of State has been undergoing a grueling regime of physical therapy, and until recently she was wearing a stylish sling. One has to assume that Clinton is still in pain, yet she's managed to put on a valiant show for the Indian throngs . . ."

It drips with sympathy for the former First Lady turned lesser singer in the Obama chorus.

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11:14 am, Jul 20, 2009

daddynobucks

Well at least you read the first half paragraph of an article that went on to attempt to explain the complexities of the situation in south Asia and our role in it. But you've got to admit, it is pretty impressive for a woman her age to get back to doing the Secratary of State job so quickly. And if you've ever had surgery on a joint you know that the physical therapy is at least grueling. I for one am glad we have her working for us.

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7:24 pm, Jul 20, 2009

Veronicaxy

Thorny issues? Global effect? International stage?

I'm going to guess this is exactly what she's always worked for. It's good she has this opportunity to show us what she's made of.

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10:39 am, Jul 20, 2009

drbob10001

This is a photo of Hillary? From the picture in ths article I wasn't sure for a moment if it was about a visit to India from the US Secretary of State or the North Korean Premier. If Mrs. Clinton's judgement on something as basic as her personal appearance is so amazingly poor and inappropriate as reflected in her pant suit fetish, then her judgement on larger matters is highly questionable. It's time for her to hang these up along with her career. She's becoming an embarrassment.

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10:56 am, Jul 20, 2009

roseann

Diplomacy by dresscode? She looks great, always does and is doing the diplomatic work Obama needs and wants from his SOS.

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12:35 pm, Jul 20, 2009

brianaaurora

such a useless comment

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2:37 pm, Aug 5, 2009

North49

India has a long history of attempting to defend itself from Islamic invasion - from the 7th Century. India could have a lot to teach the world in terms of appeasing an invading enemy ( i.e. it doesn't work). Even to the point of giving territory to that enemy to from its own country like Pakistan is useless - the demands never end.

It's encouraging to see that that India sees through the scam of "climate change", but that won't go down well with Al Gore and his acolytes and assorted Obots.

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1:19 pm, Jul 20, 2009

djanimaequeen

Wow.

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7:36 pm, Jul 20, 2009

CorporateRobot

djan, please excuse North49 for his/her/its Mr. Magoo-itis.
The world's climate is changing, and not for the better.
But the Magoos of the world will not be able to see it until
it is too late.

In fact it may already be too late, but oh well...,

Also, being a CorporateRobot, I object to the use of
our once honorable suffix "obot" being co-opted
by an apparent lug-nut.

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9:59 pm, Jul 20, 2009

daddynobucks

Wow indeed.

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11:24 pm, Jul 20, 2009

shilpi

India and Pakistan are at loggerheads. Honestly, common people don't percieve this as Hindu-Muslim hatred unlike many people here seem to think. Its more of a terrorism issue propounded by Pakistan and supported by US. If many people have their world economy right, Pakistan's economy is in a mess and so is their politics.. The political class is reaping the benefit of the Iraq war and now the proposed war on Afghanistan.
I wish people in the US were more literate about world at large before calling India Pakistan issue a religious one. I am a Hindu and have grown up with Muslims in India. And honestly, never ever we spoke about different religion. India is a secular state with most people having secular feelings at heart.. Its a pity if someone thinks otherwise including our political class.

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1:38 pm, Jul 20, 2009

daddynobucks

I'll have to take your word for it. I believed otherwise but have to admit, I got my information from the owner of an Indian resturant that I frequent. I hope that I was at least right about the Ottoman Empire connection.

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11:24 pm, Jul 20, 2009

suzisrealtor

I find it rediculous that people stoop so low to make fun of the way that Hillary dresses. Isn't it strange that people worry about the way she dresses,but if she were a male, that would not even be mentioned. She is absolutely brilliant. And, for those of you who do not believe in Global warming, take notice that, in the state of Alaska, there is true evidence that there is the beginnings of melting snow . It is one thing to disagree, but I feel that it "below the belt" to ridicule her way of dressing. And....watch when you realize that in the middle of winter, snow is melting and that "spring" type winter, peole are wearing light jackets when they go out doors, in cities like NYC, or states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. States, such as Florida are getting more and more hurricanes.

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6:42 pm, Jul 20, 2009

SaveFerris

Did you feel the same way when people criticized Sarah Palin for the way she dressed (see David Letterman) or is it only when Hillary Clinton is criticized for the way she dresses?

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11:31 pm, Jul 20, 2009

crngndmhm

Wow nice sequitur into something that has absolutely nothing to do with the article.

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3:42 pm, Jul 21, 2009
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Why I Don't Envy Hillary

by Reihan Salam

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