Hillary Clinton - Secretary of State? Christopher Hitchens debates Paul Begala

The biggest shock, of course, is the tapping of Hillary Clinton for secretary of state. I say shock because no one expected it, including Her Imperial Highness of Appalachia. But the more you think about it, the less surprising it is. Clinton remains the biggest domestic threat to the Obama presidency. The Republicans, decimated by the feckless campaign of John McCain and the malign incompetence of Karl Rove, have become a toothless, bitter rump. The Clintons, however, retain a following in the Democratic party and the Senate, and Hillary, left to machinate on Capitol Hill, would be angling to put her stamp on healthcare reform and run against Obama in 2012. At every stage, he would have to watch his back. And front. Earlier this year, it seemed a good idea to plonk her on the ticket to defang the threat. That would have followed the team of rivals concept that Obama wanted to purloin from Lincoln. It would also have given the Clintons an independent claim on power. By winning without them and even, in some measure, despite them, Obama can now bring the Clintons into the power structure while retaining clear dominance. The State Department appointment is prestigious enough not to be condescending, yet also keeps Clinton off the Washington circuit more than any other position. Iraq. Think of the appointment this way: You voted for this bloody war, Hillary; you can end it. Withdrawing from Iraq will not be easy and it may well be gruesome. I have no confidence that the <b>...</b>
Author: AntiConformist911
Duration: 10:52



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Hillary Clinton - Secretary of State? Christopher Hitchens debates Paul Begala