Obama, Clinton leave their egos at White House door

[wyldwolf]

FLAME BAIT!!!!


When President Barack Obama chose Hillary Clinton to be his Secretary of State, sceptics foresaw trouble: a clash of ego and ambition, a conflict of policy priorities between former campaign rivals.

It hasn't worked out that way. He has taken the lead on foreign policy and she has dutifully followed.

Rather than light her own torch, she has chosen to be a team player, deferring to Obama in public while keeping her advice strictly private. The cohesion suggests the two share a common view of how best to put foreign policy tools to work.

Of course, it's still early days. The toughest choices - and gravest crises - in foreign affairs likely lie ahead.

So far, Clinton has not only stayed in sync with the President's agenda, she has ceded the public spotlight on some issues to designated diplomats. And inside the White House, Obama aides say she has taken care to offer well-prepared advice without any of the friction some had feared she would bring.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10568296

[hlthe2b]

1. This doesn't surprise me... It is, as I would have predicted...

Kudos, Madame Secretary. Much success to you.

[SeaLyons]

2. Those of us that love and support Hillary never had our doubts...

and neither did Obama when he picked her. He's got the strongest SOS anyone could dream of.

[Captain Hilts]

3. People just don't credit Hillary with having basic 'party' manners. And she and 'Bam don't have...

any major differences in policy. Domestic or foreign.

Their only differences were in degree on some issues. There were no compelling differences. Even where there were differences, the goals were always the same.

People just read FAR too much 'personality' into the whole thing.

Besides, I loved the 'swingset/picnic table' meeting.

[TTUBatfan2008]

8. Not to mention...

I think they've always liked each other. When he gave his speech at the '04 DNC, the camera panned a number of times to her in the audience and she had a HUGE smile on her face.

[Captain Hilts]

11. That's right. They love the 'biz and like to see it done well.

And, yet, only Bill and Hill are accused of wanting to undermine John Kerry. There's no factual basis for that.

Obama said in '05 that had he been in the senate, he doesn't know how he would have voted on the IWR. 'Bam and Hil know that life is complicated and choices are tough. They don't take this shit personally.

Watching the country's reputation go down the drain these last 8 years had to hurt them even more than it hurt us.

Yesterday, she gave 'Bam the kind of block against RW members of congress that no one gave Bubba back in the '90s. Good on her.

[AtomicKitten]

17. Mischaracterizing his position on the Iraq war to cover her vote is not cool.

Obama said in '05 that had he been in the senate, he doesn't know how he would have voted on the IWR.

---------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUV69LZbCNQ

"Many who supported the original decision to go to war in Iraq have argued that it has been a failure of implementation," said Obama in a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. "But I have long believed it has also been a failure of conception – that the rationale behind the war itself was misguided."

Obama was not yet in the Senate when Congress voted to authorize the use of force in the fall of 2002. But he spoke out against it as a Senate candidate that year.

"Month after month, and then year after year," Sen. Obama said today, "I've watched with a heavy heart as my deepest suspicions about this war’s conception have been confirmed and exacerbated in its disastrous implementation."

All the potential Democratic presidential candidates who were in the Senate at the time of the vote – Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) – all voted to authorize the use of force.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2006/11/obama_flexes_an.html

[Captain Hilts]

18. Just quoting him. nt

[AtomicKitten]

19. No, you are fudging the irrefutable facts to smooth over her vote. n/t

[JTFrog]

80. Nah, you're just rehashing primary bullshit. n/t

[TTUBatfan2008]

21. He didn't have access to the intelligence reports...

Who knows how he would have voted if he had the same intelligence briefings that Kerry, Clinton, Biden, et al had. Once he did get into the Senate, President Obama voted to fund the war, so who knows how he would have voted if he'd been in the Senate in the lead-up to the war.

[AtomicKitten]

23. His clear record on the matter trumps idle speculation. n/t

[TTUBatfan2008]

25. His clear record is the following...

Wasn't in the U.S. Congress to vote on the war, opposed the war as an Illinois state legislator, said he wasn't opposed to all wars but that he was opposed to a dumb war (which is exactly what the Iraq War was), but then once he got into the U.S. Senate he voted to fund the war.

[AtomicKitten]

26. He has been consistent on opposing the invasion of Iraq.

Funding is an entirely different matter and is not anywhere in the ballpark of comparable to giving authorization to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. He understood that clearly; unfortunately other complicit Democrats disregard it.

[TTUBatfan2008]

29. Funding is not different enough...

in my book. They're all complicit. BTW, I voted for Obama in the Texas primary and put up with a ridiculous 5 hour process in the Texas caucus for him. I also donated a bunch of money to him in the primary, so I've always supported him. Hell, I've supported him as soon as he came on the scene in 2004 at the DNC. But one thing I've noticed is that he's similar to all "relevant" politicians. His position has evolved over time. For instance, on gay marriage he was strongly in favor of it back in the 1990's but as his national stature grew, he felt pressure to appeal to a broader demographic of voters. I tend to think his initial expression on certain topics like the Iraq War and gay marriage is how he truly feels deep down inside but he can't be as pure as someone like Kucinich or else he becomes irrelevant on the national scene.

[Captain Hilts]

24. Agree. nt

[paulk]

48. I don't think one has to look any farther than his FISA vote

to understand how Obama would have voted on the IWR if he'd been in a position to do so...

He would have done the politically expedient thing, just like every other Democratic Presidential candidate of the last two elections did.

[Beacool]

4. She appears to have seen Obama more than Bill since January!!!

"Presidential aides say the former first lady is seen as an effective champion of Obama's foreign policy priorities and is a regular inside the White House. Clinton's own aides point out she has met Obama on 32 of the 46 days that she and he have been in Washington, as of Wednesday. They have travelled together on two foreign trips - to Europe in early April and to a Latin America summit meeting last week."

:7

[Cant trust em]

5. After the debates during the primaries, I admit that I was worried

But I think that she has been great so far. The world loves the Clintons so she seems to be a natural fit for the position.

[Cha]

6. You can tell, too.. the

rwloser club is full of big egos and little tiny peabrains and look where they are.

[LakeSamish706]

7. I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised and my respect for Secretary...

Clinton his risen a great deal since the Primaries... kudos to her.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Bullshit!

:grr:

/s

Actually, she's been great.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JohnnyLib2]

15. count so far: 11 plus, 1 minus.

Waiting......

[JohnnyLib2]

13. LOL, is the last sentence a slight shift in opinion?

She's in for the long run, maybe?

[ClarkUSA]

27. I hope the Obama Doctrine replaces politically convenient DLC/GOP-lite warmongering in the future.

That's all. :shrug:

She's in for the long run, maybe?

Definitely. Anyone who knows Hillaryland understands that hopes of a Clinton II presidency is very much alive.

[StevieM]

31. And I'm sure you were equally outraged when Obama said in 2004 that he didn't

know how he would have voted had he been in the Senate when the IWR was being voted on.

Steve

[ClarkUSA]

34. No, because he made his anti-war feelings very clear more than once prior to the IWR vote.

And he did it when it could've easily been politically suicidal for him as he was one of many running for the IL Senate during
which BushCo had sky-high approval ratings.

You left out the part where Barack explained that he was being diplomatic at the time he said that because he didn't want to
embarrass John Kerry, who was the Democratic presidential candidate. Context is important.

[MADem]

14. Clinton has ALWAYS been a team player. Anyone trying to suggest otherwise has an agenda.

And it's one tinged with "not nice" ideas and attitudes.

Of course her advice is "well prepared." She's smart and she does her homework. I can't imagine why that's a surprise to anyone, really.

Presidential aides say the former first lady is seen as an effective champion of Obama's foreign policy priorities and is a regular inside the White House. Clinton's own aides point out she has met Obama on 32 of the 46 days that she and he have been in Washington, as of Wednesday. They have travelled together on two foreign trips - to Europe in early April and to a Latin America summit meeting last week.

Gee, must be terribly disappointing for the nitwits hoping for a Battle of Wills to flare up.

[Captain Hilts]

16. Yesterday, she threw the kind of block for 'Bam that no one threw for Bubba in the '90s.

She's not going to let that ugly repeat happen.

[MADem]

20. Yep--she's got fists of steel to go along with those cheery pantsuits!

And good for her, too!

[PBS Poll-435]

28. Nicely said.

:-)

[Name removed]

22. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

30. I always knew she would do her job knowing Pres Obama is boss.

It's the crazies who thought otherwise.

She is a team player who impresses everyone she works with. I'm sure she wants to make Pres Obama, her boss, happy.

They make such an impressive team.

[Catherine Vincent]

32. We all knew she would be a teamplayer.

Except a few Clinton-haters, who I see are still around.

[Fleshdancer]

33. I came to this conclusion when they met at the picnic table last month

People who are wrapped up in power struggles or personal vendettas don't tend to do things like that. ;)

[Captain Hilts]

35. I just LOVED that picture! You just know she wanted to see the swing set. nt

[PBS Poll-435]

38. I was looking for a reason to post this picture...

[Captain Hilts]

40. Only thing better would have been them on the swings...nt

[Fleshdancer]

47. See what I mean though?

It's pretty obvious there's no ego.

Thanks for posting the pic by the way! :D

[PBS Poll-435]

49. My pleasure! It is my background on my PC.

Not the greatest quality or the best shot, but what it represents...

:D

[rvablue]

36. I'm so happy and grateful that President Obama and Secretary Clinton are more mature and forgiving

then the few posters on this thread who can't get over the past and their petty temper tantrums!

[MADem]

37. Ummm hmmmm! Tell me about it!!! nt

[PBS Poll-435]

39. ...

:hide:

[MADem]

41. Steamed, roasted or broiled? nt

[PBS Poll-435]

Just thrown

(or Cast...)

[Captain Hilts]

45. We always called it 'casting asparagus', but some call it...

casting...

nastershums! however it's spelled.

[Captain Hilts]

42. As are we!

ER: Aren't they just grand!
FDR: Great team!

[ClarkUSA]

43. Well, that's a relief. Most Americans prefer the "Obama Doctrine" to "Obliterate Iran".

[PBS Poll-435]

44. Well...If we have learned nothing at all today, Slate > HuffPo when it comes to credibility

:rofl:

[Captain Hilts]

46. Indeed. I gave up that crap. nt

[applegrove]

50. She's been excellent so far. Must be hard to balance that role. She's the right pick.

[ClarkUSA]

51. So what? You could say the same of Biden. It's called following orders from your boss.

If Hillary didn't, she knows she'd be canned, as would any other member of President Obama's Cabinet. Is anyone really surprised,
besides a reporter from New Zealand?

[PBS Poll-435]

52. You said that already

And then edited.

[ClarkUSA]

53. Not on this OP.

And what's wrong with editing? I do that with 99% of my posts and OPs. What's your point?

[PBS Poll-435]

54. That is a lot of editing

:shrug:

[ClarkUSA]

55. What "is a lot of editing"? There's a reason why there's an "Edit" button, right?

[PBS Poll-435]

56. To correct mistakes, I believe

n/t

[ClarkUSA]

57. ... and to add/subtract copy until one is satisfied. Writers rarely get it perfect in a single go.

I certainly don't. So again, what's your point?

[PBS Poll-435]

58. Cats are cute and puppies are precious

And that if you edit 99% of your posts, why don't you try to focus and write what you mean to the first time.

Unless you want to be "shocking."

[ClarkUSA]

60. But some humans are not.

Why are you giving me unsolicited advice on how to write my posts? Unless you want to be "oddly pushy"?

[PBS Poll-435]

61. Write what you mean and don't edit 99% of your posts

Strive for 80%.

[ClarkUSA]

63. I guess it's like reading the NIE before an important vote -- one wants to get it right.

[PBS Poll-435]

64. Because when people respond to your posts, they are responding to your posts

And not the edit.

[ClarkUSA]

66. It sure hasn't stopped you, has it?

[PBS Poll-435]

68. Have a super afternoon.

:-)

[PBS Poll-435]

65. Yet another "clever" edit.

Are you serious?

[ClarkUSA]

67. Thank you. I thought so.

[PBS Poll-435]

69. Shrinking in numbers, the haters they are.

Have a very nice afternoon.

[ClarkUSA]

70. Growing in numbers, Pres. Obama's approval percentages are... but the poutrage continues unabated.

[PBS Poll-435]

72. I am very pleased with the latest numbers

:woohoo:

Secretary of State isn't doing too bad either... :-)

[wyldwolf]

71. we went through a whole afternoon of him editing posts like this

Each time I'd reply, he'd go back and edit his post to make replies look meaningless. It was really a bizarre thing to see. Then I started taking screen shots... :)

[PBS Poll-435]

73. It is Clinton Mania!!! 09!!!!

Actually, it is kinda sad.

[ClarkUSA]

74. Speaking of "meaningless"... I'll leave you two to remonstrate over me together. Have fun!

:rofl:

[PBS Poll-435]

75. Crazy needs company and I will gladly decline.

Nah.

[William769]

76. No edit on this post?

:shrug:

[jesus_of_suburbia]

59. Why can you not see that your devisive tactics are not what Pres Obama would want?

He's about bringing us together. Why are you so hateful towards Hillary when she has moved beyond the Primary Season?

If she runs in 2016 (which I doubt), support someone else all you want... but why do you continually put her down in 2009 when our President gave her the top cabinet position?

Why so much hate? Do you need a hug?

[ClarkUSA]

62. What are you talking about?

:shrug:

[brianna69]

77. They make a fanastic team.

Go Hillary and Barack. Hillary is doing an outstanding job as Secretary of State.

[Dr Fate]

78. I'm not suprised at all- and I think Hillary is doing just fine.

In fact, I'm following her more closely than I have before, and I like what I see.

[Danger Mouse]

79. She's a good Secretary of State. Worth being proud of.