The pundits are having a field day attacking Obama’s rumored selection of Hillary for Secretary of State. I agree with them and 
think Obama will eventually regret letting the Clintons back onto the world stage. At the same time, the pundits are also attacking Hillary for her rumored acceptance of this post. Initially, I, too, thought it was a dumb move on her part. She would go from running her own show as Senator to working for the President and taking orders from him. She opens herself up to the possibility of being fired or having to execute orders she disagrees with. Not to forget also juggling for her attention would be her ADD husband who she will need to keep on a tight leash. And yet I realized there is a different way of looking at Hillary’s potential acceptance of the Secretary of State.
As Obama starts to announce his team, the pundits are reacting by analyzing the details and they keep forgetting the big picture. This will not be a typical administration and cabinet. Whomever he picks will be initially viewed through the prism of Obama’s historical presidency. To turn down an appointment will mean missing being a part of history. Of course this is true for every administration but none has ever been like Obama’s.
In a perfect world, once the historic election was over and America elected her first African-American president, his actual presidency should be viewed no differently than that of his predecessors. But it is different. Obama isn’t just our new president, to many he is a combination savior, rock star, politician, hero and preacher. There is this frenetic excitement surrounding him which will rub off onto anyone who is associated with him. Talk about being a part of the “in crowd”!
So if offered, accepting the position of Secretary of State would be nearly impossible to decline. To make it even more enticing is the fact that the country and the world are in terrible shape. The incoming administration has the chance to play a critical role, to be seen as a savior by solving a variety of crises; the economy, the growing jobless rate, the shrinking stock market, the banking and automobile failures, the continuing war in Iraq, growing problems in Afghanistan, concerns over Iran and Pakistan etc. etc.
To be a major player on the world stage would be a heady position for anyone. Like any politician, Hillary has a huge ego. Only something as dramatic as the chance to make the country and the world a better and safer place could appeal to her. Then add in being a part of the excitement and magic surrounding Barack Obama, the first African American president, who will not only lead this country but will do so with the majority of the citizens enthusiastically and loudly supporting him.
Therefore, in accepting the post of Secretary of State, Hillary must surely realize two things. First, that she would be a part of an historical Cabinet – the first administration to serve an African American president. And second, she knows that she might actually make a difference in today’ turbulent times. To be a part of history and the opportunity to make history – what person could turn down that opportunity?
think Obama will eventually regret letting the Clintons back onto the world stage. At the same time, the pundits are also attacking Hillary for her rumored acceptance of this post. Initially, I, too, thought it was a dumb move on her part. She would go from running her own show as Senator to working for the President and taking orders from him. She opens herself up to the possibility of being fired or having to execute orders she disagrees with. Not to forget also juggling for her attention would be her ADD husband who she will need to keep on a tight leash. And yet I realized there is a different way of looking at Hillary’s potential acceptance of the Secretary of State.As Obama starts to announce his team, the pundits are reacting by analyzing the details and they keep forgetting the big picture. This will not be a typical administration and cabinet. Whomever he picks will be initially viewed through the prism of Obama’s historical presidency. To turn down an appointment will mean missing being a part of history. Of course this is true for every administration but none has ever been like Obama’s.
In a perfect world, once the historic election was over and America elected her first African-American president, his actual presidency should be viewed no differently than that of his predecessors. But it is different. Obama isn’t just our new president, to many he is a combination savior, rock star, politician, hero and preacher. There is this frenetic excitement surrounding him which will rub off onto anyone who is associated with him. Talk about being a part of the “in crowd”!
So if offered, accepting the position of Secretary of State would be nearly impossible to decline. To make it even more enticing is the fact that the country and the world are in terrible shape. The incoming administration has the chance to play a critical role, to be seen as a savior by solving a variety of crises; the economy, the growing jobless rate, the shrinking stock market, the banking and automobile failures, the continuing war in Iraq, growing problems in Afghanistan, concerns over Iran and Pakistan etc. etc.
To be a major player on the world stage would be a heady position for anyone. Like any politician, Hillary has a huge ego. Only something as dramatic as the chance to make the country and the world a better and safer place could appeal to her. Then add in being a part of the excitement and magic surrounding Barack Obama, the first African American president, who will not only lead this country but will do so with the majority of the citizens enthusiastically and loudly supporting him.
Therefore, in accepting the post of Secretary of State, Hillary must surely realize two things. First, that she would be a part of an historical Cabinet – the first administration to serve an African American president. And second, she knows that she might actually make a difference in today’ turbulent times. To be a part of history and the opportunity to make history – what person could turn down that opportunity?
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