Senator Hillary Rodham
Clinton: In all likelihood, the next
face of U.S. diplomacy,
at confirmation hearings Jan. 13.
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Le
Figaro, France
The Logic of Choosing Hillary is Now
'Obvious to All'
"In seeing her capacity to summarize the new role that
the United States aspires to into two simple and percussive words 'smart
power,' one wonders whether the day might eventually come that she overshadows
even Obama."
Editorial
by Pierre Rousselin
Translated
By Sandrine Ageorges
January
14, 2009
France
- Le Figaro - Original Article (French)
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Senator Hillary Clinton:
Tough, well-informed, and likely the next American secretary of state, at
confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jan.
13.
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It was a first test of how Barack Obama will conduct
global affairs. In front of senators on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton demonstrated
the benefits that the new president will enjoy having as his chief of diplomacy
a prestigious personality like the former first lady.
Hillary Clinton will be easily confirmed by her peers
as secretary of state, as is required by the Constitution. Perhaps her
confirmation will come on the very day that the President-elect is inaugurated
next Tuesday.
The care she took preparing for her hearing, her grasp
of the issues and her natural authority worked wonders.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
In seeing her capacity to summarize the new role that
the United States aspires to into two simple and percussive words "smart
power," one wonders whether the day might eventually come when she
overshadows even Obama.
In any case, the logic that led to her appointment is
now obvious to all. In choosing his formal opponent against whom he had fought
so hard during the primaries, Obama is perhaps neutralizing a major figure of
the Democratic Party, but more importantly, the next president is proving his
ability to extend a hand toward his adversaries.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
In entrusting Clinton with the Department of State,
Obama is marking a genuine break with the outgoing administration. Diplomacy
will no longer be one tool among many, used more under duress than desire. It
will be, on the contrary, at the heart of the action of the new presidency, and
therefore, needs to be handed off to an extraordinary personality.
Hillary Clinton stands with
her daughter Chelsea before her
Senate confirmation
hearings, Jan. 13.
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This is a necessity because - and the transition has
shown this - Barack Obama will focus, first and foremost, on domestic affairs.
The economic crisis is so serious that Americans wouldn't understand it if he
spread himself too thin pretending to remake the world.
Let's not forget that the highest priority of all
presidents of the United States upon entering the White House is to ensure
re-election in four years.
Obama is no exception to the rule. The circumstances
are such that he's even more sensitive to this than others. Before even
beginning his first term, we have seen him campaign for his bailout plan to be
passed without delay and so that it is able to bear fruit in time.
Will Hillary Clinton be provided with greater freedom
of action? This one doubts. As a confirmed politician trained in the demanding
Chicago school, Barack Obama has surrounded himself with a faithful guard of
proven loyalty. The decisions that count will be made at the White House and
not the Department of State.
Diplomacy is back in Washington. This will soon be
felt. The tone will change and the style, too. Hillary Clinton has confirmed
that the new administration will seek a dialogue with Iran. But, let's not
expect a revolution. Teheran's acquisition of nuclear weapons remains
"unacceptable." The Mullahs will have to agree to listen.
CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH
VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US January
14, 5:45pm]
