Who Wants Hillary to “Take Off Her Burqa?”
By Ani on July 15, 2009 at 1:01 PM in Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Bush administration, Current Affairs, Egypt, Foreign Policy, Hillary Clinton, Obama Administration, President Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, Richard Holbrooke, Russia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, State Department
Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beast, in her article Obama’s Other Wife, postulates that Hillary is a “brilliant policy wonk,” caring more about the “substance of work than the trappings,” yet the very title of her piece is insulting, indicating Secretary Clinton has completely sublimated herself to the President. At the same time, she notes any Secretary of State appearing out of sync with the President’s policies would be outcast, as Colin Powell was in Bush’s Administration. If Hillary were a man, would Brown refer to “him” as Obama’s other wife? Disrespectful to say the least. Further, Ms. Brown shares her sense of “how brilliantly Obama checkmated both Clintons by putting Hillary in the topmost Cabinet job”:
Secretary Clinton can’t be seen to differ from the president without sabotaging her own power.
…
Left behind on major presidential trips, overruled in choosing her own staff—Hillary Clinton is the invisible woman at State. But Obama’s brilliant foreign-policy spouse may not stay silent forever.It’s time for Barack Obama to let Hillary Clinton take off her burqa.
Consider the president’s Moscow trip a week ago. In a cozy scene at Vladimir Putin’s dacha, the boys enjoyed traditional Russian tea and breakfast on a terrace. Sitting on Putin’s right was the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. Where was Lavrov’s counterpart? She was back home, left there with a broken elbow to receive a visit from the ousted Honduran president, José Manuel Zelaya.
Ms. Brown paints this as a deliberate slight by Obama, or a way to put his own ever-present and over exposed visage out front while keeping Hillary’s far more knowledgeable one out of the limelight. That may be so, but Brown leaves no room for the fact that Secretary Clinton may not have been able to travel last week due to her injury. No matter. Let’s try to harp on the fact that Hillary is diminished anyway. Other articles have been cropping up intimating the same and wondering “how long Hillary is going to put up with this.”
The far more important point Brown neglects to mention is that Obama’s solo trip was not considered a success. He made his amateurish pronouncements on the Cold War and received a long lecture by Putin and did not really get what he came for. President Obama’s actions will not be considered too clever in the long run if he reaps repercussions for having left the only adult in the room at home.
Ms. Brown continues…
Same thing last month, when the president stopped off to see King Abdullah en route to his oratorical home run in Cairo: no Hillary. Nor was there any sign of Middle East envoy George Mitchell or anyone else from the State Department on the Saudi leg of the trip, even though its main mission was to recruit Abdullah into a peace-making partnership with Israel. The king told Obama no, by the way, so it’s fair to ask whether the president could have used a bit more Foggy Bottom prep work. Jim Hoagland noted in Sunday’s Washington Post that the White House’s leak of Obama’s decision to send an ambassador to Syria took Clinton’s State Department by surprise and trumped State’s efforts to squeeze another concession or two out of Damascus first.
As. Mr. Hoagland rightly points out in his piece White House Fault Lines, this may be another strike against the Obama Administration, clearly making a mistake by trying to trump their own very loyal team at State – for no apparent reason.
Ms. Brown seems to delight in pointing out President Clinton’s being “curtailed” by Obama as a concession to his wife’s position. Yet I am sure Brown has a point in noting how Obama, together with Emanuel and Axelrod, need to stick their nose in appointments that should be left up to her:
Hillary, with her usual iron discipline about the big picture of power, is behaving like a stalwart team player. Before she took the job, she was assured she could pick her own trusted team. Yet she was overruled in appointing her own choice for deputy secretary, Richard Holbrooke. Instead, she was made to take an Obama guy, James Steinberg, who had originally been slated to become national-security adviser. (Hillary took care of Holbrooke, one of diplomacy’s biggest stars, by giving him the most explosive portfolio—Pakistan and Afghanistan.) She lost the ability to dole out major ambassadorships, too. A lot of these prizes are going to reward Obama fundraisers instead of knowledgeable appointees like Harvard’s Joseph Nye, whom she wanted to send to Japan.
Ms. Brown complains that Hillary was not given credit for getting Obama to put more troops in Afghanistan, inferring VP Biden is given credit for this. Well, this runs contrary to Ben Smith’s article in Politico, Clinton Gains Respect Out Of Spotlight, as quoted by CBS News, that Hillary trumped Biden on Afghanistan so perhaps Ms. Brown is overstating. Smith’s article is quick to point out that SoS Clinton’s popularity now stands at 71%, higher than the President’s. While pundits the likes of George Stephanopoulos intimated her portfolio and role is decreased because of envoys Holbrooke and Mitchell, Hillary always campaigned on hiring just such heavy hitting personnel to concentrate more diplomatic power in the middle east. Some choice quotes in this regard from the Politico article:
The envoys will be the primary metric through which you will judge her legacy…And even skeptical observers said Clinton appears to have won sufficient control over the envoys after a precarious start.
Rep. Mark Kirk, a Republican who serves on the House subcommittee that oversees the State Department and describes himself as a Clinton “fan” for her role in pushing for sending more troops to Afghanistan…
“Between her consideration and her final confirmation she had lost some authority and power as all of these envoys were appointed,” he said. “Once she did get confirmed, though, what we have seen is a steady increase in her authority and control as we have seen envoys seeming to now work with her.”
Leaders in the region, he said, view her as “pre-eminent.” …Clinton is also afforded a level of day-to-day deference that underscores her stature. …The deputy secretary of state, Jim Steinberg, described Clinton’s role with the envoys as “the closer.” ….”The envoys tee it up for her,” he said in an interview. “It’s an extremely powerful way to use someone with her stature.”
Hillary Clinton has also been credited on many fronts as having, in short order, put diplomacy back under the charge of the State Department, rather than the military. Smith states her style as SoS echoes her arrival in the Senate in 2001 — putting her head down, figuring out the job and working hard rather than looking for the spotlight. Tina Brown likewise points out how, historically, this suits Clinton’s work ethic even as she seemingly objects to it elsewhere:
The former first lady and New York senator is no stranger to the big game of politics. Obama’s presidency is tightly White House driven and she is not the only player on a tight leash. … But I doubt she cares about losing the spotlight at this time in her life when she’s not running for something. Unlike Bill, she hates glad-handing and does TV only because she has to. Policy is her meat and drink. On her State Department plane, Hillary is always eager to throw off her well-groomed public look and sit up front with no makeup, wearing sweats and her bookworm glasses, as she crunches her way through a big fat file of foreign-policy memos. She is as formidably well-informed in this job as she was at the Rose law firm in Arkansas, doing all the legal backup work for the guys on a big deal. Or when she played the canny sounding board and strategist for Gov. Bill Clinton in his run for president.
That’s the trouble. You could say that Obama is lucky to have such a great foreign-policy wife. Those who voted for Hillary wonder how long she’ll be content with an office wifehood of the Saudi variety.
To call Hillary a Saudi wife? That’s quite a leap. And if Hillary were out front and center, I’m sure Ms. Brown would complain about how “ego driven” and “power hungry” she is. Hillary certainly heard enough of that nonsense last year. Once again, I am sure the maddening tightrope a female politician or diplomat has to walk is far more precarious than that of any man in the same position.
I can’t make up my mind reading this article as to Ms. Brown’s end game. To degrade Hillary? To throw down the gauntlet and encourage her to speak out? To slap at President Obama pointing out how foolish he is not to make better use of Secretary Clinton’s considerable abilities?
It is interesting to note that a month ago, not three days before Hillary broke her arm, Ms. Brown penned another article entitled What Hillary Can Teach Sarah Palin. Brown stated that Hillary was an example of “what real female power looks like,” that she is a “dedicated policy wonk who worked on behalf of oppressed women in unpronounceable places long before it was fashionable.”
She then engages in some revisionist history of her own when she stated that Hillary was “humbled at the polls” by Barack Obama. Oh really? So the fact that she won more votes than any candidate in primary history – male or female – 300,000 more than him – that’s humbling? Being outspent three to one, stabbed in the back by your own party, trashed in the media daily, winning more votes and still not getting the nomination, well I have another word for that – and it has nothing to do with being humbled. Knee-capped, maybe.
Ms. Brown lectures Palin to
Take a leaf out of Hillary’s book. (Or from Condi Rice, for that matter. Clinton’s predecessor in the job likewise knows how to disappear herself for a bit while she recoups and rebrands.) Bide your time, don’t waste it.
Her words of wisdom here are “it’s the substance that sustains, not the exposure.” No kidding. Hillary is all substance, that’s for sure. But in her new article – Brown demands more exposure for Hillary. Tina needs to make up her mind. Is she going to believe that Hillary is “biding her time” and knows what she is doing or not?
While I do not particularly care for Ms. Brown’s tone, I’d love to see Hillary front and center myself. Selfishly I would feel safer knowing for certain she was in charge of the foreign policy portfolio at State rather than the rest of the Administration that keeps swapping seats in the clown car. But as Brown notes, when one is starting a job, it pays to build a firm foundation before making a lot of noise.
Let’s see if we start hearing more noise from Hillary.
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ani- with all due respect. who cares what this beast thinks of our beloved hillary? she probably just needs to get laid. i’m glad hillary is not being seen with p.o.s. of a fraud obama. P.U.M.A.!
Actually, it is important to make note of her comments because there have been many articles out there intimating the same thing about Hillary — that her power or influence has been eclipsed or that she is somehow diminished.
I mention Tina Brown because she is but one of many stirring the ashes.
Today on Shepherd Smith, I missed who the interview was, but Shep came out in strong defense of Hillary. THe interviewee was saying that she has been devolved into a figurehead. This must be the meme of the day.
WHat did Shep say in her defense pls??
I watched Shepard Smith also and he laughed at the idea. He also noted how many pundits have been repeating the meme for the last week. I’m wondering why? Her approval rating is still high while his is dropping, she was publicly given credit for pressing Obama to make a stronger statement on Iran and his failure to accomplish anything in Russia was noticed.
He may be worried about her receiving credit or having more power than he wanted her to have, but the idea of Biden taking over her duties is hysterical. Smith also laughed when one of his guests suggested that was happening, although it might be easier to blame Biden when things go wrong or at least more believable.
Obama didn’t invite George Mitchel to go to Russia either. He actually believes he can do this alone and get all the credit for himself. Where does those who know he can’t and are frightened?
Elise,
Thank you so much for the great report. Good for Shep Smith — I’ve watched him once or twice and he can be rather rabid in his reading of the news, entertainingly so.
But good for him for laughing this off.
Truly as I said above, it doesn’t matter what she does, they will always try to diminish her or complain that she is doing it wrong or shes too strong or whatever.
Honestly I feel like I’m watching Goldilocks and the Three Bears –this porridge is too hot, this is too cold…
tell me, in re Hillay, will anyone ever be honest enough to say …”this is just right”!
They just never stop. Either she is too powerful, or she is diminished. They have nothing better to do so they make crap up.
Ani,
I also didn’t like the title of the article when I first saw it and I found Hillary being referred to as That One’s other wife very offensive. As if. Thanks for the article. You make some important points, as always.
I don’t feel I’m getting the point here – perhaps it is the fact I’m too sleep deprived and not firing on all cylinders. But, here’s a couple of things about Tina Brown.
Tina was very supportive of Hillary’s candidacy. At the end of the primaries, Tina Brown announced on some cable network that she is writing a book about Hillary (perhaps she said she’s writing about both Clintons). She spoke very warmly about them during that announcement, and it seemed clear it would be a pro-Hillary/Clinton book. After Hillary stepped aside, however, Tina quickly became way too enthusiastic about the illegitimate nominee to suit me (I’m losing count of these ship-jumpers).
Because of that, I am a little puzzled by this article. Seems to me you are giving Tina some credit, but, then, not really. If she is writing a ‘Clinton’ book, she is bound to have many sources. If she is on-track with what she is saying, that is unnerving. But, not surprising.
All of 0’s protectors will turn themselves inside out to make sure Hillary does not in any way over-shadow this pip-squeak, know-nothing (I know, I know, he has impressive educational credentials. I stand by my statement.)
0 did not take any of the State Dept people with him on his last trip because he wants to make it clear that HE alone is the world peace architect. His magical personality, you know, that brings even world leaders to their knees. Narcissism has reached record heights with this so-called POTUS.
No I am afraid you have misread me — I state quite clearly in several places that Tina Brown is being insulting to Hillary and that she is also being two-faced, praising hillary, calling her a true power player in one article, then doing an about face in the next saying she is wearing a burqa.
I am just being objective about the true points she does make, but overall, I think , and stated, that it still seems couched in all of this that Tina is trying to dminish Hillary in some way, and chime into this ridiculous meme of the day that Hillary has no power. I do not buy it.
Ani, perhaps when Tina B. was too enthusiastic (my observation) about B0 after being a Hillary supporter (? – not sure that is a correct statement) is the same thing you are speaking of – one day says this. The next day says that. Thanks for clarifying.
Absolutely.
I think the name of the game with many of these pundits is to stay relevant and ahead of the curve — with Hillary they are not quite sure how to do that — do they buy the meme that Obama is trying (underhandedly) to sell that she is hamstrung, or that she is the force to be reckoned with — so this lady is trying to do both at the same time which does not work.
latina
PUMA FOREVER!
Hillary 2012!
“I have no doubt, I am very certain that Hillary Clinton will make a great president”—Sen. John McCain in Iraq to Tim Russert. Meet the Press ‘05
“Yes, Hillary will make a very good President”–
Howard Dean ‘04
from “A Woman in Charge”
Then, very shortly thereafter, both Tim Russert and Howard Dean would be working furiously to make sure those statements did not come true. Russert and B0 became fast friends at the 2004 Dem Nat’l Conv where 0 made that speech.
Then after falling flat on his face, Dean became the Dem party chair, vowing that if he couldn’t be president, he would be the president-maker. Now, Russert is dead and Dean is in exile…somewhere. Karma’s a bitch!
As we PUMAs like to say: “Karma’s a bitch — in a pantsuit!”
That part of Brown’s article involving the appointment of Hillary’s choice of Japan’s Ambassador in favor of one of Obama’s political contributor is very telling.
Like EXACTLY WHO is playing “politics as usual?”
I do agree that Tina Brown’s message is a bit muddled, but after seeing her on Morning Joe today, she seems to be sympathetic to Hillary’s dilemma. Many on this site feared that Obama wanted to keep Hillary close just to control her and I do believe that is what he is attempting to do. Only time will tell how this all plays out.
TINA Brown is fair and I believe she’s trying to give Hillary credit. Together with a piece in Joan Walsh’s SALON (writers there are more pro-Hillary than anywhere) seemed to look at Hillary with appreciation and foresight….much deserved.
I think History will be singing to Hillary while Obuma’s War Presidency that created in few short weeks 3 million refugees(!) will be a “legay of ashes”….
During the campaign Hillary never advocated starting a new Vietnam in Afgan-Pakistan border for some quixotic alQaeda chase that should have been done under Bush’s watch. She’s way too smart a strategist and politician and knows that DIPLOMACY works better than military solutions. But she’s got guts to go for the military solutions if nothing else works! But not like this idiot as first strike policy!
Obama’s the kindergarten kid who got the keys to the new car.
The adult unfortunately is the back seat for now…
Periodically, Obama feels down and starts acting like a spoiled brat to boost his ‘power’. Hogging the media spotlight and High Rhetoric ain’t the same as ACTION though and more andmore people are having second thoughts. They want a REFUND of their vote. Too late folks! The brat’s running the show!
I agree with Hillary’s decision to stay far away from the unprofessional traveling family circus that has been Obama’s latest foreign trips.
Can you imagine the coverage comparing what she wore to what Michelle wore?
Every time she smells family involvement she should stay away because there is going to be little serious work done and lunatic fashion press coverage.
Maybe Ozero’s travel arrangements are made by Ringling Brothers?
lol
Ok guys is Obama getting ready to throw another one under the bus Ck out this article on Yahoo…
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_clinton_s_clout
Why would you think he making a foreign policy speech indicates he will throw her under the bus. Just curious?
I mean, everything related to Foreign Policy that he has tried to do without her these past few months has not gone well.
“Her diminishing presence abroad and at home, followed by her startling public criticism of the White House this week for delaying a key appointment, has prompted a flurry of speculation about whether her influence is waning inside President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.”
Is this what confused is talking about?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_clinton_s_clout
I loved that criticism by Hillary–classic. Their ridiculous vetting process, designed to protect Barry’s reputation of course–has delayed approval of key positions for MONTHS. Does Tim Geithner have any assistants yet? Apparently, it’s holding up a key aide appointment for State, and HRC is having not of it, flashing that fire about the hold up. She’s got work to do!
Look at the 5th or 6th Paragrah the author seems to be wondering…so who else is wondering.
Tried to bring the quote forward but it got lost.
I’ll go re-read — thanks for responding, CA.
hey I just scared for Hillary…I do NOT trust Obama…
Uh oh. There seems to be criticism of a past SOS program involving foreign students. Hillary had better jump on this before they blame her.
There isn’t much chance 0 is going to throw HRC under the bus this soon. He would be scared to death to do that for many reasons, not the least of which he couldn’t be responsible for “real” foreign policy that he doesn’t have a clue about. If his personality (which I have never appreciated) or teleprompter fails him, he’s dead in the water.
I never wanted her to take this job and now I wish she’d resign and run for Governor of New York.
Like I said I am so very scared for Hillary…
Due to her taking the SOS job Bill has been silenced and now????
Hey it looks like we have someone questioning Obama that people will listen to — Lou Dobbs.
Drudge had a headline that Bloomberg slammed her for stabbing NY in the back. So that would not be easy for her to just grab at this time either.
Oh, that was the NY Post, and it was–big surprise–completely misrepresented. They waived the tax burden for diplomats in NY, which is going to cost the city a LOT of revenue. The reason they did it, was because other countries were threatened OUR foreign diplomats regarding tax exemptions, and it would end up costing the US much more. Her role has changed–she is not the Senator from NY now, she is SOS, and her duty is to the national/international scene now.
sandi78, I’m just so thankful she was not named VP. Can you imagine her going out there everyday, like Joe Biden, beating his drum to get support for all this madness he and Pelosi are trying to get through at break-neck speed, before any of them know what happened.
She and Bill knew SoS would be the best job for her although it was not their idea. She said no the first time 0 asked her. But he persisted. It’s a good fit. She’s got her own stage and she is absolutely in charge of it.
Lou Dobbs radio program has an extensive discussion with an attorney about the Obama birth certificate issue. Very interesting! Suprisingly Lou Dobbs seemed ignorant about the issue but he pulled the COLB during the interview and confirmed that all of the questions that the interviewee was raising about the COLB were legitmate. The discussion will continue after the commercial break.
ty ty ty I was one of the on air people
Im so very glad someone has brought this to the forefront.
Can you pick a different name?
I have posted as Thinker for about a year now.
Thanks,
Thinker
small t
Thinker, I am amazed that even the media that were not in the tank for 0 necessarily (FoxNews, for ex)is ignorant of everything that we discuss on this site. I’ve even tried to tell them and it falls on deaf ears like it is conspiracy theory or something.
I understand that Rush Limbaugh talked about the caucus fraud then and now, but I know of no other media outlet that even goes there. One of the repub Judiciary committee members asked Sotomayor this week about the questionable funds pres. 0 raised and whether or not as a member of the court she would be willing to look into such things. She squirmed nervously in her seat and begged off of answering that somehow. I guess so.
“… And if Hillary were out front and center, I’m sure Ms. Brown would complain about how “ego driven” and “power hungry” she is.”
I know you disagree but I’d rather see gossip columnist Brown complaining about Hills’ ego driven and power hungry ways than see Hills kept away from the table with the big boys. Perception is all in this marketing-driven playground that is passing for national politics. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton and I supported her campaigns with my votes and with my contributions. But I wonder how much of her voter base has eroded because of the Obama Burqa that not only blankets Hillary and Bill Clinton, but also the nation.
No, actually, I want Hillary front and center, too and I don’t care about the name calling — while it is distasteful and unfair, the “chattering class” will do that no matter what she does.
I was only pointing out that in Tina’s case, very little would make her happy because the two articles of her that I quote are only a month apart yet completely contradictory in her opinion of what Hillary is or should be doing.
Tina Brown is a lightweight. She is the epitome of the “chattering class,” but fancies herself supremely talented and enlightened. Just ask her BFF Ariana.
There is no question in my mind that Hillary has lost the spotlight, and the Willie Brown comment that Sara Palin is the only one who can challenge Bambis perverse clebrity status is telling.
I find much to agree with in what Ani has said in this article, and much to agree with in what Tina Brown has said, even though they are not the same.
Bambis objectives are on a collision course with our faltering economy, and the ultimate bailout may well come from China, which is the end game of his policies. In politics always follow the money.
I tend to credit the stories that say she has been marginalized and discredit those which say she can recapture the agenda. The organizational structure he has created and media bias militate against it.
He will have his Katrina moment. And when he does so will we. These months feel like the wilderness years for Churchill. But I believe she will have one more shot at the brass ring–if she recognizes the futility of hanging on to a sinking ship.
When it begins to sink and everyone realizes it will be too damned late. There is no southern redoubt, where she is standing now. Just a death by a thousand cuts.
At this point we know what his strategy is. We do not know what hers is. Chelseys wedding is one marker but there will be others.
I agree with Willie Brown that Palin is the only challenger to Obama’s celebrity status.
But who wants to be a celebrity? Celebrities have a short shelf life.
Statesmen have a longer one and I think that is the direction Hillary is going.
We don’t have Statesmen any more in this short-attention-span society and they are sorely missed. The caliber of commentary on the air about issues is laughably low and the quality of commenters even lower.
Hillary is doing the right thing.
After Watergate, Kissinger (I know I know) was the only one that gained Statesman-like stature as all of Nixon’s advertising agency flunkies fell with him. If anything happens to Obama, the only one with stature will be Hillary.
I have met several “celebrities”. At best they arre just people. At worst, they believe their own advertising … Like Ozero.
I agree. I have too. You’re right – the best ones are ordinary people and I think those are least likely to fade quickly.
The best ones have talent. What will Paris Hilton or Brittney Spears do when their looks begin to fade? In four years, Obama will be well past fifty. Will he still be cool? I wonder how long it will be before his next trip is announced? If he has to stay in DC for any length of time, the glamor will fade.
“glamour”? bad spelling!
For all the speculation about Hillary over the years, one thing has always stood out: her work ethic. For Hillary, it’s all about the substance of the work. That’s what she is focused on, and I think she has faith that whatever comes of that will be fine. I’m not worried about her. Her stature is not going to be determined by this yammering ninnies.
I adore Willie Brown! He is so wise and very much an independent thinker. If there is anyone who understands politics, it is Willie Brown!
During the primaries, many articles about Hill would seem like or start out favorable and then quickly turn to Bot disdain.
Here is this woman, one of the finest this country has ever produced, constantly – even now with the highest cabinet position in the country – having to prove her worthiness. She doesn’t get back up from the guy who hired her. Not an iota of positive media. Nope. She’s left out there on her own and by damn, if she doesn’t do a super job regardless.
Nobody handed HRC a silver platter. She came up the old-fashioned way through hard-work! and, wow, does it show!
She is simply amazing.
Amen, Ginger! I agree completely.
Great post, Ani. Thank you!
For more of the crap media coverage Hillary gets, check out the new AP article abt her in which a Johns Hopkins prof. says she hasn’t found her one thing to put her stamp on yet. I guess all of her work on women and children around the globe don’t count. Oh, and the author is a shameless Obama sycophant, if you ask me: http://news.aol.com/article/hillary-clintons-foreign-policy-clout/572211
Hear! Hear!
ginger
Hillary never attended PUNIHANA PREP SCHOOL IN HAWAII.
And her mother didn’t marry an oil executive in Indonesia or run a Ford Foundation centre and her grandma was not the female Vice_President of a bank. Forget the food stamps nonsense! Obama’s a spoiled brat. And an empty-headed FOOL.
wall street Puppet supreme! Lazy,incompetent and full of himself.
Ontop of this, he’s an avowed WARMONGER much worse thanBush would have been.
Chasing quixotic, murderous windmills in Afganistan renting Paki army for $1.5 B and spending 5%more on war budget thanBush himself! A Fraud….
Tina Brown is an idiot (and I mean that in the most respectful, non-sexist way).
Several things are becoming increasingly clear:
1.) HRC is obviously better qualified, better informed and better trained than her boss.
2.) Bo(zo) will continue to trample over her foreign policy initiatives because he cannot stand to have anyone in the spotlight but himself.
3.) There is a de facto split of power in the US executive branch.
This cannot stand for several reasons.
The country cannot continue to have two power centers at odds regarding foreign policy – someone has to go.
I believe that BO(zo) appointed HRC to SoS as a means to neutralize her – this has failed
I have always been sorry that HRC campaigned for BO(zo) and then accepted SoS from him.
I think I understand that she was shown the door by the Senate and felt that the only way she could continue to contribute was as SoS but much has changed: BO(zo) has repeatedly made it clear that he will undercut her as often as necessary to sabotage her authority. He has also made it plain that “there can be only one”.
HRC, and his own incompetence, has shown him for the fool that he is. It’s time for her to step away from the sow motion train wreck that is the Obama administration. It only gets worse from here on out.
And anyway, she has to start running for 2012.
I was happy to see someone mention Obama and a burqua in the same sentence. Maybe people are waking up to just what has taken office.
As for HC she is a very strong person. She has been put on the back shelf, which indicates to me that he knows that she will out statesmanship him nine ways to Sunday. He would love it love it love it. if she was to resign. Just fear the monster that he would put in her place.
Hillary has been true to herself in everything she has done as a public servant. That’s why I respect and admire her so much. That Obama is doing everything he could to marginalize Hillary, only serves to underscore his juvenile naivete when it comes to international relations e.g. (1) bowing to the Saudi King, (2) Going to King Abdullah of Jordan, unprepared without Hillary, only to get a “no” (3) His tepid response to the protests in Iran, only to accede to Hillary’s urging a firmer stand. Compared to his NKorea response, it makes me wonder if it is because Iran is a Muslim country and NKorea is not (4) going to Russia without a firm agenda, without Hillary, and practically making a joke of himself. I wonder if he ever thinks that he is representing the USA instead of just being Barack Obama.
Hillary will rise.
Tina Brown is pathetic, she should really turn in her pundit credentials and go get a real job.
Several things are becoming increasingly clear:
1.) HRC is obviously better qualified, better informed and better trained than her boss.
2.) Bo(zo) will continue to trample over her foreign policy initiatives because he cannot stand to have anyone in the spotlight but himself.
3.) There is a de facto split of power in the US executive branch.
This cannot stand for several reasons.
The country cannot continue to have two power centers at odds regarding foreign policy – someone has to go.
I believe that BO(zo) appointed HRC to SoS as a means to neutralize her – this has failed
I have always been sorry that HRC campaigned for BO(zo) and then accepted SoS from him.
I think I understand that she was shown the door by the Senate and felt that the only way she could continue to contribute was as SoS but much has changed: BO(zo) has repeatedly made it clear that he will undercut her as often as necessary to sabotage her authority. He has also made it plain that “there can be only one”.
HRC, and his own incompetence, has shown him for the fool that he is. It’s time for her to step away from the sow motion train wreck that is the Obama administration. It only gets worse from here on out.
And anyway, she has to start running for 2012.
Woo hoo! Where do I sign up?!
Brown’s comments about Hillary are belittling and condescending. Obama’s wife, of the Suadi variety? Please! Between Brown and Dowd, who needs enemies?
I think every chance the Obama fans get to diss Hillary Clinton, they gleefully jump around and make snarky comments. Why? Because the Anointed One’s policy polls are headed south, way south, while HRC’s numbers have remained stellar.
And the revisionist history has been the favorite of the day. In fact, I’m comfortable in saying that Obama himself is a product of “revised facts and figures,” so his flip-flopping on issues should come as no a surprise. To those who actually spent time looking, that is. For those who simply swallowed the spin, they got what they deserved. Unfortunately, the rest of us have to suffer, too.
Good article, Ani!
Women like Brown and Dowd are one of the reasons why women are not respected or held in high esteem. These jealous -itches eat our seed corn constantly. They think only men can do a good job in most areas. They are sickening snobs.
They also afraid the guys 1) won’t let them maintain a seat at the table, 2) won’t get a date on Saturday night, so to speak of they speak out.
Here’s the solution ladies, build your own table. Good luck with these two.
wisewoman
Don’t forget that other HIllary-hater sexist Arianna HuffPost! Altho Arianna is probably a very knowledgeable and well-versed economist in her own right (studied at Oxford) and writes intelligently on the economic mismanagment of the Obummer Teamsters, and blames him accoridngly, she’s atrociously shortsighted (OBAMYOPIC) when it comes to HIllary.
Tina Brown at least tries to be fair. And it’s good to have Daily Beast there run by a woman.
I prefer JOAN WALSH’s Salon! What a great lady–and always has been very fair to Hillary from Day One!
Thanks, Joan!
and Thanks to Larry and Susan for this great asylum away from the ObaMadness!!!!!
Hillary2012! – Puma forever…..
Wonder if Hillarystore sold out on those beautiful Hillary campaign keychains & buttons!!!?
I’m happy to know Joan Walsh is again saying nice things about Hillary. I don’t see her anymore since I banned MSNBCO from my tvs to save my sanity.
I started to dislike Joan immensely during the ge when she became just as ardent about you-know-who as she was about Hillary in the primary.
I do recognize that if these democratic pundits are to have a job, they must jump ship easily. But, that seems so disingenuous.
I have a video of some Russian Diplomats snubbing Obama and refusing to shake his hand. He gets a bit sad faced when he sticks his hand out to shake the first and he doesn’t even look at him and shakes the Russian PM’s hand instead. Then the next one does the same, and the next, and the next, and the next, until all 5 of them snub his extended hand, reach past him & shake the Russian Leaders hand (whatever his name is)instead.
PUT THAT ON FOX, CNN AND EVERYWHERE AND HE WILL HAVE TO LET HILLARY DO HER JOB. THE RUSSIANS HATE HIM! HAHAHAH.
wish i could past that video in here.
priceless..all i have is ObamaHandshakeSnub.wmv
This is a false story. I saw the video. It looked like he was introducing his own people to Medvedev.
Check the video again and you’ll see Valerie Jarrett and I think Axelrod among those that didn’t shake Obama’s hand.
Obama is simply introducing his staff to the diplomat with a hand extended but not in a handshake fashion.
It was interesting at the first glance…but at the second glance Jarrett and Axelrod stand out.
Oops I am refering to the Middle East snub tape….but same scenerio…different country.
Karma, why were Jarret and Axelrod there in the first place and why would they be expected to shake Obama’s hand? I guess I missed this video.
Axelrod is a “political adviser” so what is he doing on a diplomatic mission? I don’t remember Karl Rove going with Bush.
http://mcnorman.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/deliberate-no-hand-shake-to-obama-video/
Here is the Middle East video I was mistakenly talking about.
The guy who shakes King Abdullah’s hand at .08 seconds is the guy who looks like Axelrod. And Jarrett is immediately behind him in the receiving line.
I guess technically they are both advisors…and he needs lots of advice….lol. So that is why they were there. At the time I remember people offering some of Jarrett’s energy ties or other work in Illinois as the reason she was there. Didn’t follow up on those claims at the time, so I can’t say for sure.
Why would they be expected to shake Obama’s hand? They wouldn’t.
It was a mistakenly offered as a ‘handshake snub’ video, just like the upbove Russian version, except with worse camera angles.
So when taking a second look, Jarrett is recognizable and disproves the hub-bub that he was snubbed.
I don’t remember Rove going on diplomatic missions either.
Thanks for the video, Karma. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. I guess the bots like his numerous trips for the photo ops, but I wonder why the world leaders don’t come to the US to talk to him? Aside from the G-20 and G-8, they are a waste of taxpayer money. He hasn’t accomplished anything and are they inhospitable.
I remember a dinner for Republican (kobe beef), but no state dinners. Someone said tonight, Social Security execs are on a retreat payed for by taxpayers. PARTY ON!!!!
No probelm. Happy to help and sorry for my delay too. I was trying to clean house in the cool of the evening. Our ac went down and we’ve been getting estimates in 103* heat….ugh. So the board has been a nice get-away…lol
Anyway, I agree. The photo op seems to be the main priority for the bots and handlers. Even the baseball toss was shown from an edited view so you couldn’t really tell if it made it across the plate.
Yup…about the G-meetings too. They are the same type of photo ops with a much higher price tag. And with more media cover about the results. I remember all the previous trips when they would report Clinton or Dubya standing strong against global warming provisions. While this time the media reported that Obama didn’t get global warming provisions he wanted.
It went from a strong stance of a Presidents looking out for America. To Obama’s weak stance and Putin and Russia having their way with him. Odd that change and the lack of the media placing in context with the other Presidents.
I saw that SS getaway too. 700 employees fun in the sun. When my Dad worked for the govt, both military and civilian govt jobs, I don’t remember any retreats for him. Unless you call Vietnam a retreat.
Hope you got the AC fixed? This is going to be a long, hot summer.
RUSSIANS MISSED HILLARY’S RESET BUTTON JOKE!
They really admire her toughness and would have much preferred to deal with her–in a Russian mag.
Why let a kindergarten grad run the diplomacy show when you have an adult ready and prepared from Day 1—as always…
Remember during the Saturday Night Live sketches when Tina Fey poked fun at Obama. He didn’t know any famous world leader’s name. And it was HILLARY who knew Medvedev’s name. Sure, she misprounounced it! But Obummer waited for her to respond cause he was CLUELESS!!!The greatest Fraud perpetrated on the voting obamyopic public.
I saw one FoxNews contributor who said that Russia is a very racist country and that was why 0 was not well received.
Willie brown is dumb. When has he been right. Please.
Hillary is not a mediawhore. She is being a team player when she needs to be and not one when the time comes. If she is not involved how can she be blamed or go down with the ship. Make up your mind, it cannot be both.
hillary is a loyal american first. frankly i am ready to puke with this team player crap. let her resign and get away from this toxic atmosphere in the obambi administration.
stodgie
“Hillary is a loyal American first.”.
So true. So who would replace her as Sec of State and how can she have our backs if is she is writing books or making speeches for money?
As a Californian, I have to say that Willie Brown is the most brilliant politician I have ever seen. His plays here were fantastic – even when I disagreed, I had to admire his finesse.
Too bad he didn’t go to Washington – or maybe that was another proof of his smarts.
I agree. He is one of the most savvy politicians out there. For decades no less.
I agree. Whether you agreed with him or not, Willie Brown was, and still is, a superb politician. I forget now, did he voluntarily step down, one was he one of the first victims of term limits? Term limits, like zero tolerance, seem like such a good idea on the surface, but I believe they are to blame for the mess we have now in Sacramento.
Yes, Willie Brown is a pro when it comes to politics. And, thankfully, he can even be objective about B0 – a feat most AA’s can’t manage because they are out of their minds over this man.
from Ben Smith
Clinton and Obama, head to head
Typical of Obama and Emanuel and Axelrod…
Wow, this is below the belt, if it is true.
it,s true.he has always upstaged her.remember the primary’s.her big wins,and him pulling some stunt to get the press makes me so mad i could spit.
No problem from many points……who but the most ardent kool aid drinkers will watch dearest leader? His ratings are going down tv wise and polls too.
We can’t watch Hillary if nobody broadcasts her speech live. And they probably won’t in case thier precious White House passes are revoked for not giving Ozero air time.
This clears up one area of uncertainty; now we know for sure that he is still very afraid of her.
You have got to be kidding me. There have been reports of her “major foreign policy speech” for days, and he schedules something simultaneously?! Is this guy 17 years old?
Um, yes.
I honestly couldn’t believe it, but then I remembered who we were dealing with. This fits perfectly. Doesn’t he realize how childish it looks to be competitive with someone he considers his subordinate.
She has proven over and over what a team player she is. She is carrying the water for crying out loud — why would he want to distract from what is presumably his own message?
Probably because he doesn’t like that she delivers it better, more believably and with greater gravitas.
“Probably because he doesn’t like that she delivers it better, more believably and with greater gravitas”
That’s because she understands what she’s talking about. They’re not just words to her.
Sorry for the off topic, subject but I found this interesting.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=104009
Obama – military and citizenship
Lou Dobbs is discussing it on his radio go listen…
Excellent post Ani!
You captured all the ambivalence perfectly.
Strangely enough, I used to think Ms. Brown was a savvy editor. And I would still bet she’s a lot smarter than this article lets on. It’s just too bad she has decided to go for popular and edgy with her blog. Instead, smart and edgy. It will leave her without a readership in the end.
Ani – thanks for your take on this. I also experienced ambivalence about what TB is trying to say.
It’s important to stay on top of these stories…seems to be in the zeitgeist that hrc must be frustrated in her role. It’s difficult for me, to read that she’s perceived as disenfranchised, but imo there’s truth to that. Although, I’m sure she has a master plan to regain her power. I sure hope so.
Do folks agree – seems to me that if this type of press continues to emerge…..it gives HRC “ammo” to resign and run in 2012?
btw I loved this:
Hillary’s injury and advice from her physician most assuredly kept her at home. He wouldn’t take the chance of including Hillary at one of his meetings. Given that the Twizzler is so totally arrogant and self-centered , he’d never want to give credit to Hillary for ANYTHING. I’m sure Emperor Ego thinks he can talk anyone into seeing things his way. His persuasive skills abroad appear to be meaningless/ineffective. These foreign leaders must laugh their asses off after they send the Boy King home empty-handed on his 2 hump camel.
Nothing from nothing leaves nothing!
Well, we will see if he finally grows sense enough to realize that it is better to have his cabinet deliver the goods under his watch, rather than undermine them but putting his stamp on everything and achieving nothing.
Will smart prevail over narcissistic? Hmmm. Makes a girl think.
“Will smart prevail over narcisstic?” Since we are considering Ozero here, I presume that the question was rhetorical.
Text of Hillary’s Foreign Policy Address:
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/july/126071.htm
no video yet….hope they post it soon
There is a video on Politico, from SOS Clinton’s Council on Foreign Relations speech.
Source: http://www.politico.com/politico44/
And as for stirrng the ashes…remember out of the ashes comes the Phoenix!
Lurv that!
Since Hillary is a Scorpio, the symbols of the sign, beyond the obvious one are the Eagle and the Phoenix…
an eternal bird, the phoenix, purified by fire, rises from the ashes to live again.
Ani
Yes! The phoenix, the eternal bird, rises from the ashes. Always. And Hillary’s middle name is DIANE—Artemis, the goddess-protector of The Vulnerable, the Children and a ferocious fighter in greek mythology. Her mother gave her a wonderfully suitable middlename.
So funny you mention Diane — just doing some research on Hillary’s past achievements and she has, throughout her life, been a fierce advocate for the rights of children, for their development, and education.
And as for stirrng the ashes…remember out of the ashes rises the Phoenix!
and Hillary..
Rise Hillary Rise!
You will be glad to know that a new play is being offered this season in the political theatre of the absurd. A new play based on an old tired theme.
The director is Emanuel,the producer is Axelrod, and the title is Hope, Change, and Bamboozle. The lead song is “razzle dazzle them, and they’ll never get wise”–from the Broadway play “Chicago”.
Act I: a state which has the largest marine highway system in the country lacks suffient funds to maintain its ferry system. It is portayed as a crisis. Everyone is up in arms.
Act II: the stimulus plan is passed and $230,000 of public money are allocated to fix the windows of the wealthiest club in the Pacific Northwest–whose patrons could well afford to pay for it themselves. Useless road projects to bedevil commuters. But no stimulus monies for the ferry system according to todays headlines. (Public outrage escalates).
Act III: the incompetent governor of this state endorsed bambi, the dimocratic party orchestrated a potemkin village primary, and sent their luminaries to Washington to be part of his Administration. The corrupt governor is deeply disappointed and is working on the problem. Still, it does not look good.
Act IV: (Catharsis) shortly before next years election, a miracle occurs. The corrupt governor succeeds! Bambi comes through! He says we must do what is right for this state! We will not allow red tape or Republicans to stand in the way of what is best for the state (even though they have been doin that all along).
Suddenly, the stimulus funds are released! The ferry system is saved, the stimulus plan good and Bambis et al are heroes! After all, they saved the state–and its anxious commuters from this orchestated near death experience. He IS the messiah!
Fade to black: from the distance the song, louder, louder and louder fortissimo with the full chorus “Razzle dazzle them. And they’ll never get wise”.
Question: isn’t it high time that someone called the game on these uber corrupt people? Isn’t it obvious to everyone how we are being played? In the State of Washinton, I am afraid the answer is a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal.
Apologigies for the double post
A true diamond will always shine.
Another good article, Ani.
Sadly, though, the clown car is still rolling. It seems that no matter how many of these foreign dignitaries show Obumble to be the moron he is, all we hear is what great speeches he makes.
He’s about to run the U.S. into the ground with his Cap and Tax, health care for “free” nonsense, and out of control spending in general, yet the only thing the lamestream media talks about is how popular he is.
The lsm can’t talk about Hillary because it so overshadows the moron everybody would clearly see the emporer has no clothes.
I am so sick of this meme about Hillary. But what can we expect from a clubby, inbred media who all attend the same cocktail parties, chat with each other, and then spew the same talking points? So much for original thinking.
And what bothers me even more is why is this drumbeat always an onus on Hillary? What the media SHOULD be reporting is that our lame POTUS is WASTING the talents of his SOS and/or that HE’S undercutting her ability to perform the duties of her office.
I think from the “reset” button fiasco to now, the POTUS’ agenda has been to sabotage her. I have a feeling that when Obama met with WJC in Harlem last fall, Clinton dressed him down and demanded Hillary be given the SOS job, and so it was offered to her under duress. It’s the only explanation that seems plausible to me for what’s been happening.
She should leave her burqa on to show her continued loyalty and respect for Barrack Hussein Obama.
till then
And you should take off your full-cover burqa so your obamyopic brainf may at last receive some much-needed oxygen…when will you Hillary-haters ever buy some encephalic material?
Guess you’re feeling down periodically, eh?
Mary, tillthen is so obsessed with hatred for the Democratic Party, she/he cannot discern the good from the bad. I don’t like this Administration but Hillary is one of the few bright spots on a grim landscape.
But someone who can say “nuke Oregon” is not playing with a full deck.
FYI – SOS Hillary is now on C-Span 3, answering questions of member of the Council on Foreign Policy, after her speech (caught the end). Hope it will be rebroadcast. Certainly not much mention on the network news tonight. At least NPR radio played excerpts on their news.
She doesn’t need a sling! Hope she’s making good progress in P.T.
Ani, Burqa indeed!
Thsi smells of Susan Rice and also recalls to mind the folks that BO sent to Syria during the primaries, which violated federal law.
I am not surprised that BO has once again confirmed he has NO leadership skills.
Hillary is boxed in-Why? Black voters who would never vote against a black candidate
Remember there unyielding support for OJ Now Michael Jackson Prediction: The democratic party will implode
Another great piece by Ani. As usual, Hillary can’t win. She is a brilliant policy wonk and a great team player, and they all start clamoring because she “has no clout and is being sidelined.” If she takes center stage, she is an egomaniac. Leave her the hell alone so she can do her job, how ’bout that? Andrea Mitchell was calling her a “foreign policy superstar” two months ago, and today I read a stupid AP piece about how she is being marginalized. SHE BROKE HER ELBOW! Besides, they always cite the envoys, and Hillary has clearly explained that SHE was the one who introduced and pushed for that idea, because there were too many hot spots for one person. It’s called “delegating.”She was supposed to give a major foreign policy speech today–any news on that?
Thanks, fif.
Yes, there will be a thread on it. It was covered on Cspan and MSNBC, believe it or not. There are a number of news articles out about it on CNN and WaPo…naturally Obama scheduled a chat about health care in the Rose Garden with the press at exactly the same time she was speaking to compete with her.
Honestly, I think his children have a greater maturity level.
Please release my last comment…
Hillary’s speech at the Council on Foreign Affairs was simply brilliant. She is in a class by herself. As I listen to her speak my heart yearns for her to be our rightful POTUS. She exudes the qualities of leadership, wisdom and determination.
On the other hand, every time the Boy Who Would Be King opens his mouth he weakens the nation.
Rise Hillary Rise.
If Hillary really was wearing a burqua, she should remove it ,get a stepladder and plop it on MEshell’s head. I’m sure Big MO would have a designer purse and a matching pair of sneakers to complete the “look.”
[...] Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beast, in her article Obama’s Other Wife, postulates that Hillary is a “brilliant policy wonk,” caring more about the “substance of work than the trappings,” yet the very title of her piece is insulting, indicating Secretary Clinton has completely sublimated herself to the President. At the same time, she notes any Secretary of State appearing out of sync with the President’s policies would be outcast, as Colin Powell was in Bush’s Administration. If Hillary were a man, would Brown refer to “him” as Obama’s other wife? Disrespectful to say the least. Further, Ms. Brown shares her sense of “how brilliantly Obama checkmaRead more at http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2009/07/15/tina-brown-tells-hillary-to-take-off-her-burqa/ [...]
[...] Tina Brown, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Beast, in her article Obama’s Other Wife, postulates that Hillary is a “brilliant policy wonk,” caring more about the “substance of work than the trappings,” yet the very title of her piece is insulting, indicating Secretary Clinton has completely sublimated herself to the President. At the same time, she notes any Secretary of State appearing out of sync with the President’s policies would be outcast, as Colin Powell was in Bush’s Administration. If Hillary were a man, would Brown refer to “him” as Obama’s other wife? Disrespectful to say the least. Further, Ms. Brown shares her sense of “how brilliantly Obama checkmaRead more at http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2009/07/15/tina-brown-tells-hillary-to-take-off-her-burqa/ [...]