It’s a relief to know that Bill Clinton isn’t afraid to have his overseas financial dealings scrutinized should his wife be nominated for Secretary of State.
That potential impediment put to rest, it sounds like there would be clear sailing for Senator Clinton, and that should be a relief to those of us who respect the office.
She’s certainly a better choice that the other two putative front-runners: John Kerry, who is about as likable as old cabbage, and the infamously disloyal Bill Richardson.
Of course, I’d be delighted if Kerry and Obama’s pal Deval Patrick were given something, anything, to do in Washington that doesn’t involve Massachusetts.
The top Cabinet position certainly keeps Clinton in play for 2016. Supreme court judgeships being lifetime appointments, State might be her best option for a future run for the Presidency, especially since her wish to become the lead dog for national health care has been stymied by the ailing Ted Kennedy, who apparently has laid claim to this program as the appropriate coda to his long career.
A possible wrinkle, no doubt already considered, would be the dynamic between Joe Biden, who was invited to join the ticket as some kind of foreign policy expert, and Clinton. As far as the administrative duties of the job itself go, there seems to be little doubt that Clinton would be a superb diplomat, but given her disastrous campaign, some reservations about her management skills.
Secretary of State is certainly not the trail-blazing role that some of us hoped for Hillary Clinton, but as the most important Cabinet position, not to mention fourth in line of succession to the Presidency, it’s a job with the gravitas and high visibility appropriate to her achievements.