Hillary on the Sidelines

Accurate yet not surprising:

There is little doubt that Hillary Clinton’s star has significantly waned since January. Hugely overshadowed by a White House that dominates US foreign policy, the former first lady rarely makes headlines on policy questions. She has gone from fiery senator and presidential contender to increasingly marginalized run of the mill bureaucrat.

Of course Hillary has been marginalised - why else would Obama have made her Secretary of State? He is an interventionist, energetic young President. He leads policy in his administration - domestic and foreign. The various secretaries and other Cabinet members are there because the Constitution demands it; not as policy leaders. 

Obama knew that Hillary's vanity meant she wouldn't be able to resist the position of Secretary of State, but also knew that by tying her so closely to his administration she would have to be loyal to him, and couldn't set herself up as a potential rival for the Democratic nomination in 2012. Of course he didn't offer it to Clinton because he likes or respects her - the Clinton v. Obama primary battle was arguably even more bitter than the General Election campaign against McCain. No, Obama made her Secretary of State because, for all his flaws, he is a savvy political operator. He's using the age-old advice of "keep your friends close, and keep your enemies closer."

In fact, he did something similar to Smilin' Joe Biden when he offered him the Vice-Presidency. Two of the leading lights of the Democratic party are now part of the Obama administration - they cannot oppose him or run against him without destroying their own careers by appearing disloyal. 

As I've noted on several occasions, the Republican Party doesn't seem able to offer a credible alternative to Obama. And Obama has managed to neutralise many of the potential Democratic alternatives who haven't managed to neutralise themselves. At this rate, he is going to coast to renomination and re-election in 2012. 

So of course Hillary Clinton has been marginalised. She became Secretary of State precisely so she could become a footnote in the history of the Obama Administration. It is what he had planned for her from the moment she accepted the job. 

Secretary of State Clinton

Barack Obama is going through the (no doubt immensely tedious) job of recruiting for his White House team. Amongst the ranks of Democratic party members plucked from relative obscurity to re-enact The West Wing from next January, one name stands out. Oh yes. Hillary Clinton may well end up US Secretary of State.

Not entirely sure why Hillary has been selected. Yes, she has travelled the world - but largely as First Lady. Her hands on, frontline political experience has been as a Senator, and whilst you can argue that New York is a melting pot, it is a big leap to suggest that her experience as a Senator allows her to become Secretary of State at probably the most crucial time since the Vietnam War.

In fact, you could almost claim that Hillary has got her role simply to unite the Democrats. But does Obama really need to unite the Democrats? I'd argue they are more united than they have been for decades, and Obama himself has won the first majority in the popular vote for the Democrats since 1976. Yes, Hillary Clinton remains a rival, and yes, I understand the logic of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. But seriously, Clinton won't be a threat to Obama for a while.

But if Obama really does need to rebuild bridges in the Democrats then why not choose someone with more direct foreign policy experience? Someone who has traversed the globe as a front line, international statesman? Someone who could also help to unite the Democrats?

Why not make Bill Clinton the Secretary of State?