So the current rumors are that Hillary Clinton is being considered for the position of Secretary of State. Once upon a time I really liked Mrs. Clinton, and in spite of her treachery during the 2008 Primaries, I will probably like her again soon. She missed out on the presidency, was passed over on the vice presidency, and now – with no malice – I hope that she gets passed over for the State Department job as well.
First of all, Obama himself is not progressive enough for me in his stated foreign policy objectives, but Clinton is notably even more hawkish than he is. One of the concerns that arose during her presidential candidacy was that leaders around the world – especially in countries with gender equality issues – would by default regard her with less respect than a male candidate. While this is indicative of the global problem of patriarchy and chauvinism, and no fault of Mrs. Clinton herself, it was still a reality she would’ve had to face had she been elected.
My fear was that her response to this kind of discrimination and low regard would be to become even more aggressive in her foreign policy in order to demonstrate that she is not someone to be taken lightly. And she certainly isn’t. However, in a climate where the U.S. is beset by two wars and mired in global anti-American sentiment, Obama’s forthcoming administration seems to signal the possibility for a real shift in our place in the world. To assign someone with a chip on her shoulder and an established penchant for aggression as the vanguard for foreign relations would seem to me to undermine this potential shift.
Hillary Clinton is an individual of enormous talent and ability, and there is no question that she should have a place in this new administration. But it seems to me that she would be better suited to domestic issues – and no, there is no chauvinistic suggestion intended there – such as overseeing a new healthcare policy. Not only is she qualified to do it, but it has been her personal cause since the early ’90s.
So Mr. Obama, in spite of any speculation that this would be a third slight to Mrs. Clinton, please do not select her for the Secretary of State. We need a different kind of presence abroad – that is, someone with nothing to prove. On the other hand, Mrs. Clinton’s hawkish temerity would be perfect for facing down the healthcare and pharmaceutical lobbies, which have already started to move against any changes in the current system.
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