by T J Neale

Created on: November 24, 2008

Barack Obama won his historic election because he promised the US people, "Change they can believe in." He promised a change in the way of doing things and a change in the direction of policy. As much as anything else, that is why he won the Presidency.

Senator Clinton represents the old guard. She is a continuation of the political dynasties that have dominated US politics for the last 20 years. As much as anything else, that is why she lost the Democratic primary to the Barack Obama.

Two weeks ago, few would have given Senator Clinton much chance of being in Obama's administration. If her name was suggested at all, it was in connection to health care reform. Now she is hot favorite to be charge of foreign policy. How did this happen?

After Senator Clinton visited Obama in Chicago, an, "uncharacteristically undisciplined" anonymous leak from within Obama's transition team, suggested that Obama had offered her the job. That she was considering taking it if Obama met her conditions. No details of the thinking behind the offer were given. No chance to question further. That is the nature of anonymous leaks.

SAME OLD SPIN

It is difficult to see why Obama would want Senator Clinton to be his Secretary of State. After the original leak, there was much discussion in the US
media as to why she should have the job. Most of the supporting arguments were spin rehashed from her primary campaign.

There was talk of how she ran a great campaign. In fact hers was a terrible campaign. Throwing away a massive lead and managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of almost certain victory.

Clinton loyalists often refer to her "extensive experience." But being married to a President does not give you the experience of being a President. Any more than being married to a brain-surgeon gives you experience of being a brain surgeon. Would you want your brain operated on by someone whose main qualification was, "Eight years being married to a brain-surgeon"?

KEEPING HIS ENEMIES CLOSER?

There are plenty of reasons for Obama not to want the Clintons on his team, the main two being Hilary and Bill Clinton. Would they ever accept Obama as rightful president? Their support for Obama has been grudging at best. Has Hilary really given up ambition to run for president in 2016 or even 2012?

Then there would be the difficult confirmation hearings. The Republicans will drag up the Whitewater and the Lewinsky affairs all over again. And what other distractions are in the Clinton's closet?

Hilary has repeatedly

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