Defense Secretary Gates and National Security Adviser Gen. Jones, Jr. Back Clinton’s Efforts to Strengthen the State Department

Photo credits: Susan Walsh/AP

Headlined Clinton Moves to Widen Role of State Dept., the lead paragraph of a report in today’s New York Times on Hillary Clinton's steps to strengthen the State Department is guaranteed to fan the flames of controversy and incite outrage from the usual crowd of pathological Hillary haters.

Mark Landler and Helene Cooper write:

“WASHINGTON — Even before taking office, Hillary Rodham Clinton is seeking to build a more powerful State Department, with a bigger budget, high-profile special envoys to trouble spots and an expanded role in dealing with global economic issues at a time of crisis.”

Buried in the article is word from an anonymous official that Mrs. Clinton was being supported in her push for more resources by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Mr. Obama’s incoming national security adviser, Gen. James L. Jones Jr.

‘“For years, some Pentagon officials have complained that jobs like the economic reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq have been added to the military’s burden when they could have been handled by a robust Foreign Service.

‘“The Pentagon would like to turn functionality over to civilian resources, but the resources are not there,’ the official said. ‘We’re looking to have a State Department that has what it needs.”’

The article continues:

“Mrs. Clinton’s push for a more vigorous economic team, one of her advisers said, stems from her conviction that the State Department needs to play a part in the recovery from the global financial crisis. Economic issues also underpin some of the most important diplomatic relationships, notably with China.”

A careful reading of this article would lead a rational person to conclude that Clinton is wisely positioning the State Department to make the best possible use of diplomatic tools and resources to help resolve several global crises expected to worsen in the days ahead.

Sadly, a quick glance at the readers’ comments in the Times indicates the irrational Hillary haters are already out in force.

Answering the Media’s Astute Questions Regarding Obama’s Latest Picks - Especially Hillary

Photo credits: Getty Images/CNN

My neighbor was watching Obama’s press conference while working out on the treadmill this morning when I joined her in the exercise room at our apartment building. I was there to check out the weight machine and hadn’t realized the president-elect had already introduced his national security team. I grabbed a seat nearby.

After all the leaks, rumors, and gossip mongering in the media in the last week or so, there wasn’t much news there. Still, it was good to see Clinton, Gates, and Jones officially named to their positions in the Obama Administration.

When the press conference ended, my neighbor got off the treadmill and instructed me in using the weight machine. A second shift health care provider, she was pleased by Obama’s selections and optimistic about the future of our country under his leadership. But she added, “A lot of it’s going to depend on us. We have to get over our prejudices and learn to work together if the country is going to make any progress.”

The media is still way behind my neighbor’s enlightened take on national and world affairs. Scanning the web this afternoon, I see the pundits as usual are doing their best to fan the flames of controversy by raising such critically important questions as those listed below (my answers are in blue):

Can Obama manage all of those big egos?
Of course. If you aren’t aware by now that the One’s ego is in no danger of being threatened by any of those selected so far to staff his administration, you haven’t been paying attention.

How will the new administration deal with the drama the Clintons will inevitably bring with them?
Come on now. We all know the so-called drama associated with the Clintons was initially invented by the far right and then co-opted by the far left during the Democratic primary. The media, led by the likes of the clearly dysfunctional Maureen Dowd and Arianna Huffington, has gleefully magnified whatever dirt has been thrown at the Clintons. So leave it alone and grow up.

Will Hillary Clinton fall in line and fulfill her role as secretary of state as any dutiful, subservient woman (spouse) should in deference to her male superior?

A definite no. President-elect Obama selected Hillary Clinton for her intelligence, work ethic, strong record on human rights issues, and her unequaled expertise in foreign affairs. Only a real schmuck determined to fail in his first term as president would want to squelch her honest opinions and judgment in fulfilling her responsibilities as SOS.

If media representatives have any further questions, you may email me at vbergman422@comcast.net.

SOS Clinton Will Anchor National Security Team

Gen. James Jones, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and Secy. of Defense Robert Gates, photo credits: Huffington Post

Update from the NY Daily News: "WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton passed on becoming boss of the superpowerful Senate Appropriations Committee to pursue the more prestigious secretary of state job with President-elect Barack Obama, the Daily News has learned."

Peter Baker at the NY Times writes: “At a time when the country remains engaged in two wars and still faces the threat of international terrorism, Mrs. Clinton will anchor a national security team with more of a centrist character than some of Mr. Obama’s liberal supporters once hoped to see. In addition to her, Democrats said, Mr. Obama plans to announce that he is keeping Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has run the Pentagon for the last two years, and will appoint Gen. James L. Jones, a retired Marine commandant, as national security adviser.

“Rounding out his national security team, Mr. Obama will name former Deputy Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. as his choice for attorney general and Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona as secretary of homeland security, the Democrats said. Mr. Obama also will nominate Susan E. Rice, his foreign policy adviser and a former assistant secretary of state, as ambassador to the United Nations, a job that will be given cabinet rank, as it had under President Bill Clinton.”

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