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Why Hillary Clinton Will Never Be Vice President

2 years ago
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Bonnie Goldstein
Bonnie Goldstein
Woman Up Editor
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Last week Washington was abuzz denying (or repeating) speculation by investigative journalist Bob Woodward of Woodward and Bernstein Watergate fame. Woodward told CNN it was "on the table" in Obama's camp for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden to exchange places before the 2012 election. He later backtracked (after the president's spokesman called the rumor "just absolutely not true"), but whatever was Bob Woodward thinking?
The former first lady is not remotely interested in the vice president's job. Don't get me wrong, as Washington jobs go, Vice President of the United States is nothing to scoff at. In addition to guaranteed invitations to state dinners, the office also comes with access, opportunity and influence.
While historically the VP post has been largely ceremonial, recent former vice presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney both acted as back up commanders in chief (especially Cheney). They served their respective administrations as assistant presidents with all the pulpit and power implied (also, crested White House stationery).
Hillary ClintonWoodward's idea has merit from VP Biden's standpoint. Prior to (eagerly) joining the ticket of an ascendant Barack Obama in August 2008, Biden was the eminence gris chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He could probably do a decent job as top ambassador, and a cabinet post would be a nice career topper. He'd eventually live out his days at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Hillary Clinton, as a viable contender in 2016 for her boss' job, has different goals. The 61-year-old stateswoman has her briefcase full working toward peace in the Middle East and needs to marshal her energy.
As part of a two career couple, Hillary Rodham Clinton's policymaking moments started relatively late in her life. As a young woman during the politically turbulent 1970s, she was a staff member in the halls of Congress. In those years, on the family hierarchy of needs, her husband's career was the more important. Like many wives, she famously let her profession take a back seat to his.
Since her husband's semi-retirement, Mrs. Clinton has gracefully and effectively pursued her own career ambitions (and I for one am appreciating the cracks in the glass ceiling). Being secretary of state has a broad global impact and, although it requires a lot of time out of town, offers her many opportunities for principled policy. She seems tired but happy.

Nevertheless, I am the same age as Hillary and suspect that she must only have so much stamina. Delayed gratification comes at a cost.

I can envision one last Clinton run for president in six years. But it's hard to imagine in two, instead of a steady job brokering peace, Hillary would be (again) campaigning for someone else to sit in the Oval Office. Woodward might know how to follow the money, but he has a lot to learn about middle-aged women.
Filed Under: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Veepstakes, 2012 President, Woman Up, Campaigns
Tagged: bob woodward, Joe Biden, secretary of state, secretary of state hillary clinton, vice president
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48 Comments

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SKCRCPUSCG

Madelene Albright would have made a good president in my view, as for Hillary and or Sarah, thanks but no thanks. Clearly, Sarah doesn't have the brain power and Hillary is lacking in the honesty and truth department. Furthermore, if President Obama doesn't reign in Israel and bring about the creation of a Palestenian State, our problems with terrorism will not end... but Mr Obama's Presidency surely will.

October 10 2010 at 9:51 PM Report abuse -4 rate up rate down Reply
sam

Some thing will come betweem Obama and Hillary early to middle of 2011 and Hillary will be runnig for pres this time next year or early 2012. Bye Bye Obama

October 10 2010 at 7:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jrmoross

Why not take on the VP posision? LBJ got to the ovel office that way. Ask your grandparents about the Democratic Convention of 1960.

October 10 2010 at 7:28 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jrmoross's comment
tistolaugh

But WHY would they switch places? It would only make Obama look weaker and more ineffective than he already looks and Biden would likely then come out against both. Why would he agree to a demotion? It just makes no sense. Besides Obama, Biden and Hillary all share the same policies and agenda, so I just don't see the point, and I believe it would just look like more WH incompetence and only further anger an already very angry nation.

October 10 2010 at 7:36 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply
tistolaugh

Hillary could not even overcome Obama's campaign even though he had no real experience and certainly no record of relevant accomplishments whose leadership is now in question. I just don't think that inspires great confidence for her being president. Although, in fairness, Obama was elected in no small part by the media who wanted to create presidential history and are to blame for the his unqualified flailing presidency. I just hope America never allows that to happen again, but I am not overly optimistic.

October 10 2010 at 7:18 PM Report abuse +9 rate up rate down Reply
Marie Brown

I am so bored with the media and its quest to make something of Hillary Clinton. Her husband Bill gave her the senate seat in NY as a gift and Obama had settled with Mrs. Clinton to make "nice."

October 10 2010 at 6:05 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply
Bob

Oh yes, so very clever. Still have close to 50 unaccounted dead in the whitewater fiasco. Calling on the United Nations to police Arizona. What a monster. America can't afford another liberal democrat. How about repealing NAFTA? Something her husband engineered to send our factories to Mexico.

October 10 2010 at 6:04 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply
bstrattonj

Is is so cool that 61 is now considered middle aged. Use to be that was old!

October 10 2010 at 3:30 PM Report abuse +10 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to bstrattonj's comment
T.

Did you know that only 100 years ago, the average life span was only in the 40's? So, less then a cenutry ago 40 was considered old!! Thought you might be interested. : )

October 10 2010 at 4:14 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
John Gracchi

The Country has the Right to Follow the High Number of Home Forclosures that has taken the American Dream and Trashed It - Now all those People realize that the President Bailed out All these Banks as a Thank You America Home Return!

October 10 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
OMALLEYS12

HILARY WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE

October 10 2010 at 2:57 PM Report abuse -15 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to OMALLEYS12's comment
tistolaugh

Maybe, but for what? She would be great in Gibb's position.

October 10 2010 at 6:31 PM Report abuse +7 rate up rate down Reply
snrar

She is to far left as far as I am concern , I too never thought she was as far left as Obama but that has changed since she has been involved with this White House . And when she got on the bandwagon of this anti state of Arizona stance that was just to much to let go by .

October 10 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply

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