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Hillary Clinton: The Indispensable Woman

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Hillary Clinton seems quite content with the job she has, traveling the world to tamp down conflicts together with promoting better global health conditions for women and children in particular. As secretary of state, she's taken the lead in advocating "soft power" as a necessary and valuable component of American might. That's why it comes as a bit of a surprise to see Clinton touted as a possible successor to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who plans to step down sometime next year.
This speculation has surfaced before, along with an alternate scenario that has Clinton trading places with Joe Biden to become vice president.
Hillary is now the indispensable woman, the competent, charismatic candidate for any job. Put her anywhere and watch her succeed. The fact that people in high places can imagine her as secretary of Defense, a job no woman has ever held, says a lot about her progression in the public eye, and about the acceptance of women in influential positions that were once off limits.
Of course, almost any rumor can take root in Washington in August, a time when faux news is so much more fun to talk about than the serious challenges facing the country. Still, it is a tribute to Clinton and how powerful – and popular – she has become. She already has a good job, and it's odd to think she might want to move. The secretary of State has always been considered the premiere Cabinet job, and 18 months into the administration, by all reports, she's gotten hold of the giant department and is shaping policy.
Why would she want to start all over again with another humongous bureaucracy? The answer can be found in one word: resources. The State Department is always the poor cousin when it comes to foreign intervention. State is starved for money; the Pentagon is awash in money, and therefore influence. When Clinton travels to Afghanistan, the voice that matters most is not hers, but that of Gates. With one war winding down and another scheduled to begin winding down, the Defense post is at the epicenter of policy and politics.
Clinton gets glowing reviews in the media as secretary of State, but can cite few concrete accomplishments other than projecting a positive image. That's not a shortcoming. Projecting American values abroad is what a secretary of State does, says Matt Bennett, a co-founder of Third Way, a centrist Democratic group. A secretary of State must broadcast U.S. values and "have a little bit of steel in the velvet glove, and she's done that with Israel, and with North Korea. She calibrates very well on the world stage."
When Clinton withdrew from the presidential race in June 2008, she cast her defeat in the context of having come further than any woman before, declaring to applause, "Although we weren't able to shatter this highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before." As the third woman to be named secretary of State, Clinton didn't break any barriers, but filling the Defense job would be another big crack in that glass ceiling for Clinton and the 18 million voters who wanted to see her become president.
The guessing game around Hillary tells us how much has changed since she campaigned unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination. The pundits said she overstayed her welcome on the campaign trail, and that Bill Clinton was out of control, his wish to see his wife in the White House overwhelming his good sense. "Never, ever underestimate the Clintons," says Bennett. "We thought his reputation was shot and now he's back, popular as ever. They're unbelievably resilient and resourceful."
It's unlikely that anybody is sitting in the White House moving personnel boxes around on a chart, and slotting Hillary into the Defense Department. But when it comes time to name Gates' replacement, President Obama will want the very best possible person, "and that will require that he at least think about Clinton," says Bennett. "I can't imagine a single person would object to her based on her sex, and she would sail through Senate confirmation. I get why she's being considered."
And so does everybody else who's watched Clinton persevere through the trials and tribulations of a turbulent marriage, a rocky tenure in the White House, to ultimately win a Senate seat and then appointment to the highest diplomatic post in the government. Whatever comes next, she can handle it.

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23 Comments

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sogunrobo

Hillary Clinton can handle any situation perfectly. She is a power house and highly respected by everybody. More grease to her elbow. My regards to her husband. God bless.

August 22 2010 at 6:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
punnster

Hillarity Clintoon has made several mistakes making her empty threats of "CONSEQUENCES" that has led N, Korea, Iran and much of the world to not take us serious.

August 22 2010 at 4:37 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
earnestsigns

Hillary Clinton has been doing a splendid job and I'd wish her the best in any of her future endeavours. Susan Walsh, AP, took a beautiful picture of Hillary.

August 22 2010 at 12:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jgr414155

Where is Hillary on Iran nukes? Where is she on protecting the border? Where is her support for Israel? Where is she on North Korea? Where is she on the Mosk at ground zero? She is just out giving away money that the US doesn't have to give. Her silence makes her a accomplice to the lack of leadership the Obama has not provided.

August 20 2010 at 8:09 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
we love mario!!!

She would not be a good defense secretary. You need someone who has served in the military. Perhaps a general.

August 20 2010 at 2:32 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
jhrochesterny

I wanted Senator Clinton for President, she was doing a good job as our senator here in New York, but vioted instead for Obama when she withdrew. I wonder,how she would have done as President since Obama hasnt made all that much "change" as I would have hoped for, we still have a huge debt and not enough jobs.

August 19 2010 at 8:06 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
we love mario!!!

She will never win for president. She has the same opinions and policies as Obama.

August 19 2010 at 7:53 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to we love mario!!!'s comment
jen

Don't forget that he is her boss and has to support his agenda.

October 06 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
e1gm

I do not see Hilliary as an effective Defense Secretary. If she is supposedly (and I contest this) doing a "glowing job" as Sec. of State, why would the president want to move her to another new job? If Hillary is certain that Osama Bin Lauden is in Pakistan AND that Pakistan officials know his whereabouts, how can she see fit to give millions dollars in free aid to Pakistan. Is it appropriate to help those who give security to your enemies during two simulateous wars? Wake up!

August 19 2010 at 7:39 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
jjimj07

Hillary Clinton is no more indispensable then a pair of old sneakers. She and her husband have been recipients of the government coffers for way too long. All she is now is a pawn in a game to keep Obama in office for another term and this country would be much worse for wear if that happens. Gates needs to be replaced by someone that has experience in the Defense world. Not by someone who's husband dodged the draft. This is not bashing anyone. This is just a matter of fact and one person's opinion.

August 19 2010 at 6:45 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jjimj07's comment
Cora

AMEN!!!!!

August 19 2010 at 8:22 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Dero

I'd rather her be in the White House. There's no doubt she has more experience and there isn't much (if anything) we don't already know about her.

August 19 2010 at 6:18 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply

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