The Current Crisis
Lying at State
There’ll be lots of it from the Tuzla survivor.
WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama campaigned intoning
the mantra that Washington’s political system is “broken.” Now
with most of his appointments either named or leaked he has
proved it. There is indeed something broken in a political system
whose electorate rejects Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the
Democratic primaries and nonetheless finds itself saddled with a
third Clinton Administration at year’s end.
Of all the Clintonistas that Mr. Obama has appointed, the most bizarre is the appointment of Senator Clinton as secretary of state. He himself during the campaign remarked on her lack of foreign policy credentials. “What exactly is [her] foreign policy expertise?” he asked. Mr. Obama’s incoming White House counsel, Greg Craig, was blunter still. In a detailed memo last March, Craig explained why, as he put it, “There is no reason to believe… she was a key player in foreign policy at any time during the Clinton Administration.” The memo led Oliver Willis, the progressive blogger, to note, “This malarkey about Sen. Clinton having all this foreign policy experience strikes me as a serial fabrication on the level of Stephen Glass and Jayson Blair” — two infamous journalistic frauds.
Those words were chosen wisely. It was in March that at least two of Senator Clinton’s claims to foreign policy credentials were exposed as the sheerest poppycock. She had been presenting herself as having been an indispensable instrument in effecting the Irish peace settlement during her husband’s administration. “I was deeply involved in the Irish peace process,” she would boast on the campaign trail. Unfortunately for her, Judicial Watch forced the Clintons to release Hillary’s heavily redacted White House schedules, from which it was apparent that she had nothing to do with the peace process other than appearing in public with her husband sporting her famous forced smile.
The charge that Hillary was engaged in “serial fabrication” was validated again when one of the participants in the Irish peace negotiations, Noble Peace Prize winner David Trimble, exclaimed, “I don’t know there was much she did apart from accompanying Bill going around.” Trimble characterized her empty boasts as a “wee bit silly.” Two months earlier she had fibbed that “I actually went to Northern Ireland more often than my husband did,” and on one occasion “pulled together in Belfast, in the town hall” Catholic and Protestant women whom she persuaded to bury the hatchet so “the hard work of peace-making could move forward.” That whopper provoked London’s Daily Telegraph to report, “There is no record of a meeting at Belfast City Hall, though Mrs. Clinton attended a ceremony there when her husband turned on Christmas tree lights in November 1995.”
It was in last March, too, that our next secretary of state was caught B.S.-ing that twelve years before while traveling through Bosnia as First Lady she had to dodge “sniper fire.” This was a tall tale that she had been uttering repeatedly in her campaign to present herself as more experienced than Mr. Obama. According to it, the snipers attacked at a planned “greeting ceremony” in Tuzla, which had to be canceled as the sniper fire rained down and, said Hillary, “we just raan with our heads down to get into our vehicles to go to our base.” Actually the ceremony was held at the base. It was not canceled and with scores of journalists and dignitaries standing by it was taped. CBS played the tape. Once again a brazen and artless lie by Hillary was her undoing. Said one member of the military, obviously peeved by Hillary’s deprecation of the military’s security measures, “Getting shot at by snipers is not something you forget — or make light of.”
Well, Hillary trivializes a lot of serious things and is often caught B.S.-ing. In fact, except for her husband I cannot think of another public figure of her stature caught so often in her own lies. About this time in the primary season she was also caught lying that “I negotiated open borders to let fleeing refugees into safety from Kosovo.” She was caught in fibs about advice she offered her husband during the Rwanda genocide.
Now all of the above were lies deployed by Hillary to convince the electorate that she is vastly experienced in foreign policy. Apparently she failed to convince voters, but she seems to have convinced her erstwhile adversary, the President-elect. He should have taken note of her discrepancies and one other thing. He should by now be aware that both Clintons cause trouble for themselves and for others nearby when there is no apparent reason for the trouble other than the Clintons’ bad character. Frankly, Mr. Obama, it is not wise to be too close to these two. You are going to be sitting with Mrs. Clinton in cabinet meetings. Watch out for sniper fire.
About the Author
R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. is the founder and editor in chief of The American Spectator. He is the author of The Death of Liberalism, published by Thomas Nelson Inc. His previous books include the New York Times bestseller Boy Clinton: the Political Biography; The Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton; The Liberal Crack-Up; The Conservative Crack-Up; Public Nuisances; The Future that Doesn’t Work: Social Democracy’s Failure in Britain; Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House; The Clinton Crack-Up; and After the Hangover: The Conservatives’ Road to Recovery.
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Kevin Riley O'Keeffe | 12.4.08 @ 7:07AM
With all due respect to the President-elect,* he is a fool to put this woman at the center of his administration. The one thing of which you can always be certain, is that Hillary Clinton will never put the welfare of the Obama/Biden administration (let alone that of the USA itself) ahead of her own, narrow, selfish, power-hungry agenda. It will always be Hillary first, her husband second, their friends, allies, and family members third, and the administration a very distant fourth. The USA might come in fifth, provided she can't think of something else to put ahead of the national interests. Perhaps she has a kitten, or something.
Kevin Riley O'Keeffe | 12.4.08 @ 7:09AM
Oh, I forgot to note, the asterisk I placed next to "President-elect" denotes the fact he (Obama) is merely the presumptive President-elect. He won't actually be the President-elect until the Electoral College votes.
Jason | 12.4.08 @ 7:29AM
All of Hillary's sins have been forgiven by the media, and that is pretty much all that matters.
http://rightklik.blogspot.com/
Bob| 12.4.08 @ 8:40AM
Do you mean that politicians lie? Well shiver my timbers!!!! Palin is an expert on foreign policy -- she can see Russia from Alaska and is watching for flyovers.
Kidding aside, I can't think of a candidate for President that didn't "push the limits of credibility". I don't think she's the best choice because she lacks hands-on experience, but that's another matter.
Instead of your constant complaining, why don't you get out in front and recommend a conservative foreign policy -- title it "suggestions for Hillary" or something like it. You are acting like a bunch of losers. Get over it and start building rather than tearing down.
paul| 12.4.08 @ 9:40AM
Bob: Palin never said she could see Russia from Alaska. Tina Fey said it and the credulous leftists who believe only what they want to believe and can't think for themselves parrot this falsehood.
stu.b.con| 12.4.08 @ 10:12AM
Bob said: "You are acting like a bunch of losers. Get over it and start building rather than tearing down"
You mean like in 2000 when Gore tried to steal the election, failed, and all of you spent the next 8 years in complete and utter denial?
And frankly your condescension toward Gov. Palin is beyond ridiculous, McCain-Palin lost! Maybe you could a bridge, or perhaps spend a few hours reviewing the career, life, and times of the senator...i mean vp-elect Joe "the dumbest senator ever" Biden without your smiling pitcher of grape koolade!
Are we really supposed to support and accept a wholly unqualified, corrupt, multi-national SecState in the interest of comity?
Again Bob, you are tiresome and I wish you'd return to the kos kids sand box.
Brian| 12.4.08 @ 10:47AM
The woman is clearly unqualified but so is the unaccomplished, inexperienced teleprompter gazer who will appoint her.
Until celebrity/heredity stops becoming the basis for election, Washington will continue to sink into incompetence and corruption.
Look at the resumes of top Democrats. None of them have accomplished anything other than advancing their political career. Utterly worthless people who contribute nothing to this country.
Martin Owens| 12.4.08 @ 1:21PM
Hey, look on the bright side! The Great and Powerful Obama may have a bagful of Bolshevik projects, but he'll never implement them now. With Hilary on the loose in a cabinet full of Clinton's creatures, and he won't have time for anything but suppressing her latest putsch.
The Obama presidency is shaping up to be one long repel-boarders drill.
The trick is to keep 'em busy.
Howard| 12.4.08 @ 1:36PM
Aside from such trivialities as this countries security, you have to admit this will be fun to watch Obama, Hillary, and the Boy President interact. Shouting matches, conspiracies, and a whole lot of Saturday Night Live skits are in store.
Anthony| 12.4.08 @ 2:18PM
The entire Obama cabinet is a Democrat ship of narcisstic fools. So when the MSM gush over this array of "superstars", I just shake my head and remind myself that there are indeed parallel universes at work here. Obama , besides removing all his Dem. competitors for 2012, has fulfilled the Peter principle in all of its folly. Only a few of these appointments are serious policy people, the Republican holdovers, and a few others, the rest, are either political hacks, that manage to get elected, with no other real world experience to speak of, or, manage to work their way into the system and rise through the ranks by being bland, ordinary, or sufficiently obsequious and ready to do the dirty work, a la Mr. Holder. If a Republican had chosen so many hacks from his/her party, the MSM would be in high dungeon as to the pathetic ranks of depleated Republican intellectuals and academics. Obama needs to find postions for "socks" Berger and John Edwards, then, the ship of fools would be complete. If this all wasn't so serious, it would be fun watching these maladroit egotists make a complete mess of things. What a joke!!
tony| 12.4.08 @ 3:01PM
I don't think Bob will be responding.
Anyway, as someone who has no use for Obama but nonetheless marvels at his political acumen, I am utterly baffled by this move. As Mr. Tyrrell and others on the message board point out, anyone and everyone in the orbit of the Clinton's is ultimately harmed by the association.
It isn't as if he needs her for political reasons; he's already won the election and no longer needs the angry female vote. I seriously doubt that he fears a challenge in the '12 primary; Hillary has already been rejected by her party and her appeal will not rise in the coming years relative to Obama, unless of course he screws everything up.
Perhaps that's the answer to his selection. I've wondered whether he actually wants to be President, at least right now. I always thought he ran to burnish his credentials for a future run, perhaps in '16. I think he looks at the current situation and foresees tough times for the next four years, maybe so tough that he enters re-election season in a weakened position. Sensing this, he takes a Hillary challenge off the table.
Or does he?
Bob| 12.4.08 @ 3:37PM
Sorry, Tony, I was out of my office. You guys are just a bunch of whiners (as Phil Gramm would say). He was right talking about the sorry crew that posts here. You don't have answers, just complaints.
I never said Palin wasn't bright, only that she is not knowledgeable. She did say she understood foreign policy because Alaska was next to Russia. (Tina Fey's line was much funnier, but the sense of it is the same). For the record, I don't think Biden is very bright, but at least he has knowledge.
All of Hillary's Republican peers think she is smart, a hard worker and would make a good Sec of State. You guys voted them in. If any of you had stones, you'd work to replace any Republican senators who vote for her confirmation. But you don't -- you're just whiners.
Anthony, the Bush cabinet is full of narcissistic fools as well -- perhaps even more.
Why should conservatives be voted in when all they do is complain. Stop your tilting as windmills and lay out a conservative agenda.
Bob| 12.4.08 @ 3:40PM
By the way, I don't know how many times I have to say this, but Romney was my guy. He was smart, successful, had more executive experience than anyone else, and was the best candidate to handle economic matters. He also did well in school. His whole life was one of success. But you idiots brought in McCain and then made it worse with Palin. It just proves the point that so-cons lack intelligence.
Dustoff| 12.4.08 @ 4:10PM
BOB....
gezzz your so wrong.. The MSN gave us McCain. Which many like me were worried about.
Plus as we all saw. The second McCain became our man, they went after him a Plain like sharks in bloody water. If you think Pain didn't have much experience, please tell us all how much Obama had? Which is zero.
Yet what the heck, he can vote "present"
Tony| 12.4.08 @ 5:46PM
Bob:
First of all, I don't know who "you" is, so stop with the silly generalizations. My question is why didn't you address what I actually wrote in my post. I went back and looked at it and couldn't find a single reference to Hillary's intellect. I also failed to find any evidence of whining, which seems to be some sort of fixation for you.
What I questioned was Obama's wisdom in choosing her. I think it's a puzzling selection and I gave you my reasons. Try responding to what I wrote; don't lump me in with others. Also, think for yourself instead of quoting Phil Gramm.
As for whining, liberals are by nature whiners. 8 years of non-stop complaining. Bush says zig, he should have zgged. It's all they ever do. It's in every liberals blood.
Just look at what's going on in Caleeefornia since Prop. 8 passed. Liberals simply cannot handle the democratic process in action. For the most part, we conservatives have accepted Obama as our president, which is more than I can say for whiny liberals who b***ched and moaned like little girls from the day Pres. Bush was inaugurated.
Look at Al Franken in Minnesota. He lost, fair and square. But he'll whine and moan until he gets his way.
Before you respond to my post, try reading it, as well as the previous one and respond specifically to what I wrote. I'm not interested in discussing third party comments, just yours and mine.
Paul Nelson| 12.4.08 @ 5:49PM
I suppose that you have considered the possibility that Obama does not actually want Clinton at State, but rather wants her out of the Senate. In the Senate, she has a certain independent power, but as Secretary of State she can be fired the first time she screws up. Is she more dangerous to Obama as a Senator or as a disgraced screwup?
Anthony| 12.4.08 @ 6:11PM
Gee Bob, the American elites used to give so much credit and "real world" geopolitical knowledge to those enlightened, elitist Europeans that lived on the very edge of the Soviet empire, but when Gov. Palin makes a reference to Russia being on Alaska's door step, she's deemed to be a moron. Might it be possible that Alaskans have always had a stronger sense of the Soviets and now the Russians presence than those battle harded folks in the Upper West Side? And perhaps Bush's cabinet did have its share of egotists, by defination, all do, but most were very capable,very savvy and super smart. They also were true patriots. Don Rumsfeld comes to mind, so does John Bolton. And don't tell me about McClellen and Brown, every president has his share of losers.
WilliamIn Wien| 12.4.08 @ 6:23PM
What is whining and what is complaining? Whining does not require any justification, complaining must be based on facts or it is whining. Has your team ever won a game yet you still complained about the officials? Harry Reid whines about the body odor of the citizens and foreigners who wish to take the time to visit the Capitol. The vsitors complained about the lack of facilities while they waited (factual). Had I voted for Mr. Obama, I might well be complaining about what he considers "change". Since I did not vote for him, this is all fascinating. Politicians are like baseball's general managers, someone will always take them in no matter what their record. (Look at the roll call of politicians who have invaded Freddie and Fannie over the years) I think Obama has put Senator Clinton "on ice" for four years and her husband on terms of good behaviour, whatever that means to Bill.
tony| 12.4.08 @ 6:24PM
Paul:
I suppose anything is possible. All things are possible now that we have Obama. But I think this is truly puzzling.
As a senator, she is one of one hundred, a minor nuisance perhaps but not an impediment. Obama's got 57 other dems in the senate, plus a handful of rinos that who will be more than willing to go with the flow. If she tries to fight his agenda, she looks petty and vindictive.
Most importantly for Obama, she is in a different branch of government. That shields Obama from the stench of corruption that emanates from all things Clinton. Obama's got enough things to deal with; why would he want to deal with Ms. Clinton, not to mention Bill (whose got to love this - wife out of the country most of the time. WOW!).
I think as Sec. of State, she is in a position to mount a challenge in '12 to Obama. The world is full of problems and Obama is ill equipped to handle them. After the midterm elections, Hillary steps down and starts to make the case that she has witnessed Obama up close and has determined that he is utterly incompetent. Meanwhile, she can now rightfully boast of foreign policy experience without being laughed at.
I can't say that I've given this any real deep thought, but I do know the Clintons. As Rush says, there's no coincidence with the Clintons. Whatever they do is calculated. If you agree with that sentiment, then ask yourself this: Do you believe that it is Hillary's lifelong ambition to be sec. of state?
So I really wonder what Obama's up to here. I'm sure there's a calculation on his part, but I'm not sure that his calculator is working properly.
Alan Brooks| 12.4.08 @ 6:45PM
I don't trust the GOP, they told me in 1995 that Clinton would not be reelected. Remembering having been told by libs (my dear departed parents) a hundred times in 1981-84 that Reagan would also not be reelected, it seemed likely that Clinton would win, and when a dork (can't teach an old dork new tricks) became the Republican nominee in '96, the jig was up.
So naturally Hillary will do well as secstate, because she wants to run for prez in 2016. And who will Republicans nominate? Why, Jeb Bush of course... or Neil.
Dai Alanye | 12.4.08 @ 7:54PM
True conservatives wanted Thompson, and if Fred had wanted the nomination half as much as did John McCain, he could have had it.
As for Romney, despite a fairly good resume he was all over the map on policy, and a poor campaigner--depending far too much on snarky negative attacks, and on ridiculous claims about what he had accomplished. I particularly liked the one that his son was doing the equivalent of military service by campaigning for dear old dad.
We got McCain by default, and the only lasting good to come out of his run was the unveiling of Palin as a national candidate.
tony| 12.4.08 @ 8:50PM
Dai:
To follow up on your post, we conservatives must forcefully reject all non-conservatives going forward who seek high office. I've seen Romney mentioned by some on this board. Romney is not a true believer. He's a good man, but not what we need.
I could be wrong, but I really think that at some point in the future, we conservatives will be thankful that McCain was not elected. Of course, we are all scared to death when we consider what Obama could do, but if he governs as a lefty, he will be exposed and lose in 2012.
McCain on the other hand would have consigned us to 4 - 8 years of mediocrity that would have emboldened the rinos. We have a fantastic opportunity now to return to our roots, promote new leadership and a conservative vision to contrast with whatever Obama will offer.
Reagan showed that a conservative vision, articulated by a bright, charismatic, true believer wins big time on the national stage. We have some fine people, including Sarah Palin, who can now step forward and really let rip in the years to come.
Alan Brooks| 12.4.08 @ 10:45PM
Yes, Palin is a real conservative. But she's got to concentrate on family values, that's all Republicans have left.
You don't have to worry about Obama socializing the economy-- Bush has already done it.
Amnesiac| 12.5.08 @ 12:40AM
Reading comments tonight was a lot like attending a convention of carrion crows squabbling over some choice roadkill. Perhaps Obama has in mind to have a plane carrying Ms. Hillary slam into a mountain as happened with - who? Ron Brown? The highlight of the poor guy's funeral was Bill Clinton being caught on camera laughing, only to wipe away an imaginary tear once he became aware.
I wish Ms. Clinton no harm, this is just about the only more bizarre reason that has not been posited by the deep thinkers.
I think Hillary threatened Obama - "You better damn appoint me to something, there is still a lot of mileage left in all these pantsuits I bought.
ruth| 12.5.08 @ 1:03AM
Bob claims to be a republican, but with friends like him, who needs enemies? Alan, that's ridiculous to say Republicans can only campaign on family values, because if you think Bush is a lefty, just wait until we have a few years with ObamaPelosi Reid.
tony| 12.5.08 @ 1:26AM
Amnesiac:
Must get awful lonely up there on Mount Olympus.
Andrew| 12.5.08 @ 10:34AM
I think putting Hillary at State has more to do with making Harry Reid happy so Obama will get a green light for his agenda (whatever that is). Reid makes Daschle look like a genius and Clinton would have been the obvious replacement Majority Leader had she stayed. With Clinton at the helm, not just one of a 100, who knows what trouble she would have caused? She might have even gotten quite a few Republicans to go along with her shenanigans. She certainly could have had her face on the news every night of the week. Now Reid owes Obama...big time.
Trice| 12.5.08 @ 11:20AM
"Once again a brazen and artless lie by Hillary was her undoing. "
How exactly she has been undone? Obama's choice of her and her acceptance were politically negotiated, as has been mentioned here and other commentary, they are playing their options. As Secy of State, Clinton can throw all kinds of monkey wrenches into the global stew that can come back to bite Obama, as if there aren't enough already. The possibilities are endless.
But I am less concerned about the Clintons than Obama himself, who many think to be a puppet but I would not underestimate. He has been raised, schooled and mentored and completely surrounded by marxists and communists, including the self-described ones like Saul Alinsky, Frank Davis, Ayers, Farrakhan, et al) as well as the obfuscating type like ACORN, Jeremiah Wright, Pfleger, his parents and grandparents, and long list of political associations from the corrupt Chicago machinery.
We are far down the road to socialism and communism, so it will be easy for Obama to make the minor leaps to totalitarianism with completing the nationalization of the financial and manufacturing bases (at least the ones that will ultimately control war-making and defense infrustructure.
The fact that this has been going on for a long time and has become acceptable to most people is what is lamentable about human nature. Like herd animals, we are willing to take comfort in being led enmass. As Daniel Webster said in 1837:
"I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe.... Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence. I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men and become the instruments of their own undoing. Make them intelligent and they will be vigilant; give them the means of detecting the wrong and they will apply the remedy."
One has only to study the history of public schooling and union organizing (especially its architects and their guiding principles) to see how this has occurred over time.
As the more reactive and destructive mob mentality rules, people (rightfully) fear for their safety and security and do not want to rock the boat. Likewise, Islamification is occurring in the US, as it has in Europe, whether people (and especially the media) want to admit it or not. To allow it to continue will do the opposite of securing our safety. It will lead us to slaughter.
Amnesiac| 12.5.08 @ 1:53PM
tony -
One is never lonely on Mt. Olympus, where there is a never-ending panorama of lively entertainment. A lot like reading TAS comments - Hercules, cleaning the Augean Stables (that would be like trying to clean the BS from the floor of Congress. Or watching Prometheus getting his liver pecked out by a vulture - compare that activity to frost going at Bush with inexhaustible energy and vitriol to spare. Or beheading the Hydra.
tony| 12.5.08 @ 3:58PM
Amnesiac:
You can see Causasus from Mount Olympus?
tony| 12.5.08 @ 4:00PM
I meant Caucasus. My appreciation for Greek mythology is not matched by my spelling.
Amnesiac| 12.5.08 @ 11:12PM
tony - (this is like writing to my brother, Tony)
TAS readers will soon tire of our playing Can You Top This with Greek Mythology - although I have to say, personal approbation has never been a goal of mine. Picture both of us feverishly referring to our encyclopedia in order to get off a snappy response. One or the other would soon be betrayed by the "time-line". (Long pause - - geez, I can't find Causaus under the C's!!!) Actually, I have always considered myself an authority on Greek and Roman mythology - - that is, of course, until I run into a real authority!
But you started it, pal, with your Mt. Olympus reference. No, I guess I started it with carrion crows.
frost has threatened to go to Costa Rica, but he is still saying "here in Texas...." Everyone that was moanin' low when the Geek got the Republican nomination, is now "I told you so-ing" We are all entitled to our opinion, apparently no one is entitled to the facts. And we won't be for another 4-8 years.
I leave it at this. We took the Idiot Census on November 4 and in the process got a new president. Not my choice but as the saying goes, "Let the wild rumpus begin!"
It makes perfect sense to me to have all the regular writers of Comments to replace most of Congress - and I mean that in the most admdiring way. That would be excluding myself. I have stay on Olympus to watch
Mooreman| 12.6.08 @ 12:49AM
I think the real reason Obama wants Hillary as his secretary of state, is that he wants her out of the US senate. A Hillary in the senate could be a real problem when it comes time to push his radical solution for national health care insurance. Hillary would almost certainly try to drum out Obama's plan with her own favorite version. In the senate she could cause him a lot of grief.
If she turns out to be a disaster as secretary of state, he can always fire her at a later date. Her political career effectively destroyed. By that time her senate seat would have been filled by someone else more palatable to Obama. Recall how Obama dealt with his competitors for his Illinois senate seat. Sheer genius when you think about it.
Shooter| 12.7.08 @ 4:33PM
As Secretary of State she is but a daggers thrust from her chief 2012 rival
I say do not deny her that dagger.
tony | 12.8.08 @ 5:29PM
Forget about all this nonsense, because the real show will be, of course and as always, Bubba. He is the single most narcissistic personality in modern political history.
Clearly, Obama and Hillary have differences on national security and foreign relations. Or maybe they don't. Is there anyone out there who truly knows? Who cares. Let's get ready for the return of Bubba.
One thing we absolutely know for certain is that no living person has a bigger appetite for the spotlight than Bill. The next few years will be outrageously funny as we watch this triumvirate try to co-exist. And believe me, Bill is as much a part of this as anyone. When he's not out getting laid, he'll be second guessing Obama either on behalf of his wife or just because he feels like it.
I guess the only real tragedy will be our foreign policy, but we can all have a laugh as these turkeys bring about chaos.