ballandchain

We watched the election with fear and excitement. Pundits predicted riots in the streets and campaigns promised unicorns and rainbows; both equally inane. Now, the selection has been made. Obama’s new cabinet is filled. The jobs, handed out like the unreasonably expensive candy at the dinner party it truly is, are quickly gobbled-up by the loyal. Obama’s administration is already getting security updates from the white house. The new president is ready for the art of being…presidential.

But, what of Hillary? Poor Mrs. Clinton, out in the cold, crying in her martini? Or more likely, with now 7 million dollars in campaign debt, a stale beer. Interesting how the debt keeps increasing, even though the race is over. Remember it was 5 million at the end of the race? Then six; now 7! Her campaign still has the nerve to send emails to former supporters for more money! WTF! You don’t keep betting on a horse that’s already lost the race. But, having the balls to ask is nonetheless, impressive.

Unfortunately, her new job in the Obama administration won’t go far with her creditors. Though, what a job! Secretary of State holds a level of prestige that’s hard to match (almost as much as a high-ranking senator on an important committee). Hillary gains an important title in the executive branch. Obama placates the Hillary-nuts disappointed she didn’t become president. Wonderful. So, what exactly is gained here?

Hillary loses her senate seat, and takes a job where she’ll be forced to enact only policies she disagrees with. You see, Clinton and Obama’s only political differences are in the arena of international policy, which just happens to be the central function of the secretary of state position. Nice one, O’bamer’. He gains an inexperienced secretary of state that he already dislikes, and gets to fight with her on a daily basis over policy differences for the next 4 years.

Oh yea..I almost forgot the cash. Does her new job pay off her lingering debt? No. How about a fat DNC handout? Nothing yet. Maybe a little donation from the rich, old Obama campaign chest? Keep dreaming.

On top of all this, Ole’ Billy-boy has to wear a leash. Ex-president William Jefferson Clinton must clear all his speeches and engagements through the white house if Hillary is to keep this job. That’s right; his opinions must now be pre-approved. He was a president! Has any other ex president been treated this way? After being elected (twice, I might add), you should be able to say whatever you want to whomever you want. What’s worse, If you only exist to keep stumping for an elected president, nobody’s going to hire you to speak. An ex-president’s bread-an-butter is speaking engagements for organizations and universities. This will quickly dry-up if the president can only discuss the pre-approved party-line. A perspective event coordinator would be better hiring an MSNBC pundit (cheaper, at least). If this doesn’t give Bill that long-coming heart-attack, nothing will.

So I ask, what is truly gained from this deal? Obama loses. Hillary Loses. In fact, we lose too. A president is only as powerful as the people he surrounds himself with. Don’t’ believe me? Think George W. is a particularly powerful guy? Not President, just a guy? No? Well, how did he become the most powerful president in American history? His power exceeds most others in military might, but also exceeds the constitution itself. He spent the first 2 years of this presidency on vacation, now he’s hated across the planet. Amazing, only if you forget who his friends are. He controls all this by putting the most powerful business leaders today (those who know how to get things done) in the same room and saying “get’er done”, and not caring exactly how it happens.

Again, all presidents, including Obama, must also surround themselves with the best people they can find. I admit, I wanted Hillary as president. Not because I think she has load of foreign policy experience- She doesn’t. But, because I think she knows the best people. And more importantly, her husband knows the best people. Obama knows the best people that the Democratic party has told him about. This is a much smaller pool. A Secretary of State must be part blow-hard diplomat, part political tactician, part henchman. He or she needs to have experience negotiating deals and solving problems with people of diverse backgrounds. Think Sen.John Kerry. I’m talking about sitting down with foreign leaders for more than just tea. Neither Hillary nor Barack has done this. I would be just as unhappy if President Hillary Clinton hired Barack Obama for Secretary of State. This position isn’t one a president can screw around with in times of war and global financial upheaval.

Should the secretary of State position fundamentally change? Should our chief foreign envoy be the president himself? Having seen the rest of the world, I happen to know that the people of the world desperately want to see the new black president of America, not the loser. The excitement is palatable, and understandable. Eight years of devastation is a long time for all of us to wait. Hillary would have been a better fit for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Though less prestigious, pushing universal health care would have been much easier from there. Now, we all lose: the President, the Clintons, America, and the world.