American Morning
Tina Brown: Take off 'Clinton's burqa'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/14/brown.tina.art.jpg caption="Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of TheDailyBeast.com calls Hillary Clinton 'Obama's other wife.'"]
When President Obama picked Hillary Clinton to be secretary of state, many called it a bold move that had star power written all over it. There are some who are now questioning if that star power is being kept under wraps.
Tina Brown is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of TheDailyBeast.com. She writes, “It's time for Barack Obama to let Hillary Clinton take off her burqa.” Brown joined Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Tuesday.
Kiran Chetry: "Take off her burqa"? What do you mean by that?
Tina Brown: I mean I'd like to see a little more of Hillary being allowed to be her own person in the State Department. Clearly she's obviously having to represent the administration and she's doing it. She's showing, though, immense discipline, I have to say, about knocking herself back from the spotlight.
She didn't even appear on a talk show until June because the president's message team control very, very carefully who gets the limelight. And it's all really about Obama getting the limelight. So Hillary didn’t. Tomorrow she has her first big foreign policy address, which is actually welcome. Because I think it's time we saw more of her.
Chetry: You call it the ultimate checkmate in terms of the president putting her in that position and the effect it had on former President Bill Clinton. Explain that.
Brown: It turns out the disappointment, which people didn't quite get when it first happened, was a brilliant checkmate of the Clintons. Because in this position it's really important that the secretary of state does not let any daylight between herself and the president as we saw when Colin Powell really wasn't seen to be part of the Bush team. It really hurt him as secretary of state.
Chetry: The inner circle?
Brown: The inner circle, yes. So in Hillary's case, she can not let that happen. If she differs from Obama, she really hurts herself. At the same time, Bill Clinton, of course, wants to support his wife. And he's really aware that in the campaign at times he made gaffes. So he's become such a good boy, Bill Clinton. He’s just kept himself in a box. He's not really able to do as much now for the Clinton Initiative because of anything that might conflict. And he's just been made a special envoy to Haiti, which is hardly one of the world's most thrumming, top spots. So he’s really, in a sense, also being very skillfully kind of curtailed.
Chetry: So the question is, do you think this is part of a conspiracy – almost thinking as a chess match on the part of Obama? Meaning that he was possibly so threatened by the Clintons he wanted to find a way to get them in a box?
Brown: I think it played into his calculations. I think that Obama obviously wants smart people around him. What he sees with Hillary is she's an incredibly smart executive. She was a great choice for secretary of state. So on one hand he gets her terrific sort of brain power and her star power when he needs it. And on the other hand, he just makes sure the Clintons can’t at any point be troublesome for him. It's a kind of double win for Obama.
Chetry: Yesterday she made some interesting comments that maybe show a little bit of frustration.
“The process – the clearance and vetting process – is a nightmare. And it takes far longer than any of us would want to see. It is frustrating beyond words.”
Chetry: She was explaining why there are some posts that have not been filled yet. She said the vetting process of the Obama administration is ridiculous at times.
Brown: I think it's really frustrating for her. But actually, in fairness to them, I think it's frustrating for all of them. I mean there are key positions still in the Treasury, which are not filled. Because it’s really hard to find someone, you know, whose nanny wasn't illegal or whose issue with their taxes is not going to thwart things. But she has the double frustration of that her appointees are viewed with that much more rigor because there’s a sense, again, they do not want the Clinton team to kind of reassemble as the Clinton team.
For instance, she really wanted as deputy secretary of state Richard Holbrooke. But she was overruled by the Obama administration and he insisted that she had James Steinberg who was their guy. And she’s also lost the ability to appoint ambassadorships, which is usually a secretary of state prerequisite. She wanted, for instance, someone else in the Japanese post and she was made to accept, again, an Obama fundraiser. So I think between all these curtailments she is feeling a little bit as if she's been boxed out.
Chetry: Do you think she’s happy she took the job?
Brown: I think she’s – it's hard to say. I would say another six months will answer that question. I think she's finding the job immensely interesting. Hillary’s all about the substance. And I think she loves to chew on all that foreign policy. She adores it. But I think she's also a big leader herself and she has really taken a position where I call her Obama's other wife. She's playing back up to him. I think at a certain time she might find that frustrating.
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I would rather have Hillary in office.
People think that Obama is better than Clinton...Some that Hillary, is better than Barack...both better than Bush...It is what it is...personal opinion. Both are calculative politicians that will spin a situation to their advantage with their team of damage control, media spin specialists. Believe what you will..at the end of the day they are both gonna be alright, while this economy, country and it's people descend deeper into despair. Don't blame Bush for this either, blame yourselves. We are to easily controlled and manipulated by the biased media, special interest groups and lobbyists. For a recent example, lobbyists are using homeless people to hold their spots in overcrowded lines while they wait to buy time with our representatives. Where is the hope and change promised...I thought we were gonna change Washington people with a vote for the new guy! Guess he doesn't care about the homeless being exploited along with our political dignity...what happened to the empathy he is such a huge stickler for...In Obama's defense, it would not of mattered who was elected or what party the president was from...Capatilism runs this country not the people...hence the bailouts and exploitation of people...nice to see they can raise hundreds of millions of dollars to get themselves elected but they borrow our money from China, when they need to do their jobs...
This is Tina Brown campaigning for more Hillary spotlight because she looks like her and probably has a lesbo thing for her. C'mon are you kidding me with this argument. This woman is proposing a divisive government where there are multiple leader roles, sorry won't work. There is an old saying "too many cooks in the kitchen" that fits this situation well.
This irrationality demonstrated in this interview is a perfect example of why men don't care about women's opinions.
Tina sounds about as ignorant as Hillary. Hillary is too far left for my tastes and I believe if she was ever president, this country would no longer be America as we know it. I'm a democrat but she's just a wacko.
If she wasn't a woman you wouldn't even care.
I think Tina Brown would look interesting in a Burqa.
I think Tina Brown is a clueless feminist. she needs to know how disciplined institutions run. If everyone has their own way, it will be a circus out there. History is a testimony as to how administration has to be run efficiently. I think Hillary is being a good right hand to Obama in this pursuit. I don't think there is anything wrong in being No.2 or No.3, it is still a big responsibility in that chair.
Thats more than just a bit of a sexist comment... not to mention one tinged with some real borderline racism, given that part of the reason the "Obama= Muslim" thing got any traction was the color of his skin.
Hillary Clinton serves the president. Brown's statements are total crap masquarading as feminism.
I'm surprised no one commented that this entire situation, appointments, position, etc. happens to be about politics, manuvering, preserving and grabbing more power, dolling out favors, and other political tricks. So much for the president who cares about the well being of the country. Way to go Obama "The Change."
And as far as Hilary goes, who cares. She decided to accept the post, she'd better be playing by the rules and be part of President's team. This shouldn't be a race for spotlight and if she is unhappy or frustrated, she can always resign. But I'm sure she knew what she was doing, she knows this game way too well. So, neither her nor Obama deserve any pitty.
Hillary, Is a great asset, I agree, they should give her more press time, but I don't think it's malicious, I think the issue was waiting for things to calm down. I mean how much have we seen of Joe Biden and he is VP, why would you think Secretary of State would get that much air play? Because, Hillary is a magnet is the direct reason why initially she can't have as much pub, with as much going on, the last thing that's needed is a power play or as alluded Clintonites taking up the banner of their heroes and making more noise. I think as Obama consolidates his power, Hillary's star will be allowed to shine. Atleast , it will behoove him to do so.
Hillary Clinton should be let loose and establish the foreign policy that is capable of establishing. She is probably the smartest person in the administration and should be let to use her expertise to further this country's position in the world.
We would certainly be better for it and I believe the world would also be better if Hillary was left to her decisions instead of having to play second fiddle to the president and his enter circle.
We saw in Colin Powell the same thing, he was hamstrung by two idiots and keep under cover and was only let to say what the idiot in the Whitehouse would let him say and look what it got us.
If I was Hillary I would speak my mind and Obama could go to hell if he did not like it. I like Obama, but he is not a god and does not know one tenth about foreign policy as Hillary Clinton does.
I'd have to agree with artreality, Tina's comments and insight are both rubbish.
Personally, I think both Ms. Clinton and the administration are doing an admirable job with foreign policy. Ms Brown is clearly someone who wanted Ms. Clinton to be president and is having a hard time with the idea that she isn't. She's just stirring the pot like a more sane Ann Coulter.
Whatever... doesn't this woman have anything better to do but complain about Hilary Clinton? I guess not.
Complain, complain, complain... is that all people can do these days?!?!
Yes the vetting process is frustrating, but is that the only Clinton quote there is? Weak. We have a Republican party that is so sore from their loss that they're capable of picking you apart if even your neighbors were illegal.
I'm fairly certain that there is a sour mood Tina Brown is trying to fabricate. Who is this woman, anyway? And aren't there more important, knowledgable, and truly insightful people to interview?
Tis a lame "woman empowerment" piece altogether. Think about it, this is like a nice guy interviewing another nice guy so they can talk about how nice guys are overlooked by the big bad protestant white male. This sort of thing becomes overkill, and doesn't show a lot of strength.
Frankly, this interview came accross as nothing more than a politicized gossip column.
I agree with you Mary Richards
Mary Richards July 14th, 2009 10:58 am ET
Doesn’t surprise me she’s being kept under wraps … smarter, better, more capable.
First we had a media never criticized Bush; now we have a media never reports what’s what about Obama. What surprises me is someone has the guts to point it out.
Tina,
Who cares what you'd like to see? You are a commentator not a policy maker. Not everyone with a pen who thinks their opinion of how policy works at the highest levels has an effect on policy (Thank God). President Obama and Hillary likely feel that foreign policy should not be subject to opinion polls and popularity contests.
Maybe Hillary is doing exactly what she wants to do to the absolute best of her ability...which is what I believe to be the case and applaud her and wish her the greatest success. Maybe Obama isn't telling her what to say and what to wear...which is also what I believe to be the case. She is there to implement President Obama's policies, that's her job.
Truly, this woman was born to edit Vanity Fair.
I think Hillary Clinton is doing exactly what the position calls for, and doing a fine job of it, at that.
Obama is a puppet always in the lime light. His strings are pulled by Emmanuel who is the person really in charge. Obama only has his silver tongue. Hillary Clinton will never be allowed to do her job. Emmanuel knows that she is smarter and more experienced than Obama.
Actually, given the world situation, and the total lack of respect for a female in the middle East, placing a woman in that position, was a gross error in judgment, in the first place.
That has, and will continue to hamper, any effectiveness in relations between the US and the Middle East.
At least we can all be amused by Obama's teleprompter crashing to the floor. It is tough to be an effective actor, these days.
Hilarious to see the cracks in the wall begin. What a paradox for the socialist party faithful... do you continue to push for your Woman to get more attention and be allowed in front of cameras, or do you conform to the Black Messiah's control? Not even a year yet, and you are starting to eat your own young. Some are starting to realize now that you cannot think for yourself. You are only allowed to think and do what the Messiah tells you to think and do. Enjoy what you have done to this country!
Oh yes, I forgot...Obama said that Burqas are OK in the USA....never mind that it will be hard to ID people like this against any photo ID documents....While on the other side of the pond, Sarkozy is calling it what it is: An oppresive garment....You think women really want to wear this garment which shows that they are someone's property? Bravo Tina Brown!!!!
I worry about the metaphor of Hillary wearing a burqa. It suggests a general disdain for Muslims. People of the United States should try to respect the customs and cultures of other countries. Both liberals and conservatives are equally simple-minded. As for Hillary, she should just do her job. If you miss her you should go back and watch reruns of the primaries.
I have studied Islam thoroughly. Islam introduced women rights and basic civil liberties at a very lawless time in humanity. It is shamefull that this Tina Brown would use the religion to represent supression of female thought and aspiration. Seperate the culture from the religion. It is females like Tina Brown who bring back the woman's movement. SHAME ON YOU TINA BROWN...
Brown seems to have correctly identified the feelings I'm sure many of us have: that HR Clinton hasn't "come out" yet in this administration; that she's is moving in an overly-cautious manner. Clinton is brilliant, likeable, and much needed. However, I think she will soon, an unavoidably, re-emerge as the dynamic, original statesperson this country needs her to be. Hope so.
Tina.....you're an idiot! (look it up)
Silly readers!!!! The burqa is only a metaphor. No one is calling Obama a Muslim. It's perfectly fine in the United States of America for Tina Brown to express an opinion and perfectly fine for you to rebut, but not if you resort to name calling. Yes, it was a bit looney for Mrs. Brown to call Hillary his second wife, as if Michelle is not allowed to speak either. Michelle does speak her mind and even though she too keeps mum in public, out of respect and deference for the office, you can bet that Michelle knows all of the issues and puts in her two cents worth in private. I don't think Obama would be happy to have a wife who wasn't engaged in a range of topics. As much as Hillary would like to express her personal beliefs at all times, that is just not the job she accepted. She too has to defer to the presidents agenda in foreign policy. I do believe that Obama has to listen to her advice – he wouldn't have hired her if she were a weakling – and she does have an opinion. But at the end of the day it is Obama's presidency and all of the Hillary lovers who wanted to see her in the oval office might have to wait out this full term and watch her blossom in this position.
not only sexy, but quite pretty too
Take your head out of the sand Tina Brown. Hillary is doing her job as Secretary of State. She is supporting the President. What the hell is this woman Tina Brown talking about!
What's amazing is that Hilary accepted that position...But from Mr. Emmanuel's Godfather point of view: "Keep your friends close, your enemies closer". So, Hilary and Bill fell into the power trap....Do we Democrats forget that the voting spread was 52/48 in favor of Obama? Hilary deserved the VP spot! Not the clown! That would have kept the party together! Now look at us! Obama's approval is starting to crumble...Those Center-left people who voted for Hillary are starting to jump ship...Maybe if she would have been sharing the spotlight with Obama, things would be a bit better? Regardless of policy gaffes, Hilary could help Obama from a PR point of view defending the policies...Oh well, the self-destruct bottom has been pressed..
Come on Sarah Palin. We need you to clean up this mess.
Maybe you could get a 2 term limit in Congress to stop them from scraping the cream off the top. for themselves.
Congress needs to accept the health care plan that is no good for anyone and they are dodging the fact if we get it , it should be theirs too.
Always a Hillary Supporter regardless of her position in government. As a 44 year old women, it's the generation above me that I have a huge regard for....they took all the barbs, arrows, navigatiged substance and feminism, and emerged the winners. I have immense gratitude for all of the professional women 50+ thank you thank you!
Regarding Hillary on the sidelines: Tina is spot on; Secretary of State Clinton is all about substance. What an amazing job she has done as an envoy, supporter, diplomat, and above all, a woman!
Thank you Tina for a good interview. Thank you Hillary for 30 years of service.
um people, Clinton isn't complaining about her job, she is talking about a vetting process that is taking entirely too long, what does that have to do with anything other than what it is, some gripe. I love how people can put a spin on anything any politician says and take it completely out of context.
What a huge bag of drivel ! When will media realize that taking responsibility for America's business is not about "star power"? When will they finally separate serious matters of the country from Hollywood. Somehow the two have merged over the years. This nonsense does not advance the cause of women. It is not about arrogance, limelight and power which obviously Ms. Tina's world.
Thank God and our nation's Founding Fathers for a solid (stone-like) Constitution.
Here we have a debate over personal power. Did Obama, fairly or unfairly, put a check on the Clinton's personal power, more specifically Hillary's power?
This power struggle is prevalent in both parties. Why would any citizen of this country want to view our constitution as more flexible while these struggles for personal power in government are so apparent?
Mary Richards...were you living in a cave the last 8 years??? The media never criticized Bush? Are you serious? You have to be a complete ignoramous if you believe that for one iota!
Give Obama and Clinton time to settle in, folks. His administration has only been in office for five months and is inundated with the mess left by the previous yahoos. Even in the best of times it takes a year or so for a new president to get the full team in place. Hillary is smart and capable. She'll work with Obama 'cuz she (and he) care about what happens to this country and world. They may disagree from time to time, but policy-wise, they're practically the same person. They're fighting for the same things. They're not enemies.
He has been keeping her on a short leash.
What a farse! Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State...what's the overwhelming experience she has that qualifies her for any government position...a law degree and that she was a former president's wife? Please...don't we have anybody in our country that can (a) demonstrate the diplomatic skills, (b) have experience working with (not entertaining at state dinners) high-level officials in the most critical countries around the world, and perhaps most important, (c) get through Obama's "ridiculous" vetting process? Where are the Bakers and Kissingers of the past? I'm so sick of seeing our country "run" by political HACKS!
How strange that with a vetting process that seems to get so much coverage for how intensive it is that Obama can't seem to find anybody for any of his critical positions that doesn't have OBVIOUS disqualifying factors...tax cheats, criminals...you know...typical politicians. If anything, I'd say Obama's vetting process isn't selective enough!
I feel like Socrates...wandering around in the city with his lantern, looking for an honorable man...there apparently none to be had within range of Washington DC...which should come as absolutely NO SURPRISE!
i think tina brown is very sexy
Secretary Clinton is showing respect for Muslim countries by donninf the scarf. I do the same scarf when praying at the Wailing Wall in Isreal. If you show up with out a scarf, a choice of scarfs are provided,
Actually, I was embarrassed ny our Government when another Secretary showed up in a Muslim country with a dancing woman, no scarf- but a slinky dress. Of course, the leaders who were pleased to attend, arose from their seats and left in a huff.
Therefore, we American do have manners as well as good hearts.
Judy wrote: "Well….Well….What do you expect the Black King of the United States…….whoops I meant to say Black President of the United States to do? Treat others as you would not like to be treated. I think this Obama is partly just trying to show others he has Clinton on his team and value her skills but he is the ULTIMATE decision maker."
Judy, he is the ULTIMATE decision maker. I suggest you take an American history couse and get a better understanding of how our government works.
What's with the Burqa thing? That shows how the author is prejeduce to Islam. Wearing a burqa or not won't make a woman less or deprived of her rights to speak up or do her job.
It is a dress code not a curbing of freedom of speech.
If it is really a figure of speech, maybe you should use one of your own culture without insulting other people because the association/picture implied in the mind of people is just insane.
Are you kidding me!!! Can we say CHANGE, you need to look at yourself and stop judging others. Just becasue Obama will not do what we want him to do, does not make him a bad president. There is a higher being called God and he got this. I wish those who still have hate in there heart go to confession, church, or somewhere you can be prayed for,becasue a black man got elected and he not doing what the whit man want him to do. Another thing people say we need to help Iraq, Afgan, and whoever else is in trouble. My question is where was our good neighbors when black folk was getting hung, sprayed with water hoses, couldn't go to school and alot of other BS, just becasue they were black. You need to get real and face the whole truth about who you are and what can you do to make a change in this world, until then SHUT UP about who you think should be in the limelight or who should be president. It is what it is so start making a change in yourself and you just might see a change in the people around you. Love, Peace and Happiness!!!
i think it was a calculated move on obamas part... smart move. i think in a couple of years she will move on. she is not used to being 2nd fiddle.....myself....i cant stand either of them. he has ridden a large wave that is reaching the rocky coastline quickly.... obama has tried way too much...too soon. but he knew he only had a window of time to move on his agenda before his true self was revealed. the arrogance of both obama and clinton is unbelievable.
he has made these last diplomatic trips because he believes he can change the hearts and minds of who ever he talks to.
I cant wait for the majority to turn on him.
Hillary should have won the election..then she could have done whatever she wanted to do. Time to suck it up and quite crying!
Rich,
Enough with the conspiracy theories. You sound like a moron!
'First we had a media never criticized Bush'
What rock were YOU living under?
It's pitiful to watch Hillary put in the corner for a timeout by Obama. BUT Hillary DESERVES the treatment she's receiving now from Obama, she ALLOWED herself to be USED and ABUSED by Obama. I used to respect Hillary, campaigned for her last year; but her loyalty to her party instead of the people who believed in her was the real downer.
IF Hillary run again for President, I would NEVER vote for her. I firmly believe a STRONG WOMAN must never trade her beliefs and convictions over party loyalty. My support for Hillary last year has NOTHING to do with her political affiliation but MORE to do with her qualification.
Hillary could have stayed as US Senator where she could have continued her work, she was a very good legislator but a FAILURE as Secretary of State.
Joane- White people! white people...watch the news it's a constant parade of Obama's people being perp walked across the screen. Give me a break. When are YOU ever going to take responsibility.
She wasn't elected she was appointed, what's the point of the election if she gets to be her own person. This is govt. folks, when you work there you work for someone not with them. Hillary is an employee not a leadership spring from which decisions flow, she's given a mission set, a set of standards on what her and President Obama along with the rest of his cabinet have discussed. Miss Brown doesn't realize that she isn't a member of the decision making body and I wonder how one even get's one of these pundit jobs. You could argue that these folks hurt our political world by treating it like entertainment, trying to create sensationalism. I wish I could resurect Andrew Jackson so he could fire everyone on the top as a message to this wannabe aristocracy of skull and bones and their lackeys that this really is the govt. of the people by the people etc and not some Oligarchy.
The state dept job is not a bully pulpit. It is how diplomatic arm. Tina Brown is way off. Stupid really this time.
I like President Obama a lot! Was so happy when he became president!!!
But there is something I disagree with (thank God!) I thought about it when I read his biography and if If remember correctly he mentioned that in Kenia, where Muslim girls have operations done to their genitals, the best way to avoid accidents was to have the operation done in hospitals!!!! I know he is against those kind of operations... and I know he is thinking about freedom of religion (a Muslim friend of mine told me that there isn't such a thing in the Koran!!) So I would like to ask Obama this: let's reverse the situation... imagine than in some twisted way the men were to have their genitals cut (let's say after having several children)... would you still support this aberration!?? and instead to find a way around it why not condemn it??? I am very sensitive with this issue because I was sexually molested as a child. I remember my abuser was telling me it was my fault (I was ten!!!) President Obama, please condemn things when their are wrong!!! This is not freedom of religion it's about taking life out of someone! You are just supporting men who cannot keep it in their pants and who conveniently blame it on women!
PLEASE, enough about hillarious and obama
She's playing back up to him because HE GOT ELECTED PRESIDENT, AND SHE DID NOT.
If Obama didn't have such a strong stomach, he would not even have selected her for that job considering all the junk she said about him during the campaign.
Has it not occured to anyone that H. Clinton is, as was her predecessor C. Rice, may be totally incompetent? Name one, just one, major state department accomplishment either one of them has achieved.
Good grief !!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the adoring media and blog-o-nauts has broken ranks to suggest the appointment of Clinton as SEC. STATE was:
– motivated to curtail her political profile
– usurps her ability to voice her own opinions should they differ from the O
– has reduced the former president's opinion to a perfunctory "snivel" if any media dared to seek his opinioin
– has quietly "caged" his most identifiable and serious presidential opponent
She will be ostracized by her media peers for this defection.
Tina needs to put her burca on.
The "Clinton Initiative?" What, exactly, is that, and why, given that Bill is a private citizen and Hillary is a subordinate of the President, should we think that the President is somehow obligated to not get in the way of this "Initiative?"
I don't think that Tina's use of "Burqa" is appropriate here. She is only demonstrating her lack of understanding of another culture, as well as speculating as to the motivations of the current administration's policies. In her desire to grab headlines, she's allowed sensationalism to cloud her content.
i don't know which is worse, the Obama illiterates who want her just to shut up....as many with poor intellectual endowment want when confronted with superior intellect, experience and personality; or the 50's racist rednecks that populate the Republican party and keep casting out "Black King" or "Socialism" comments.
It is still obvious, after so many years that racism and sexism, which is just as hateful as racism, are still alive and well in America.
Whenever Hillary runs for President, I will vote for her. Just as I voted for Obama. BTW, I am a white, male, ex-Republican (until I grew a brain AND a heart).
Right on the mark, Tina. When it comes to the tiresome cadre of talking heads, you're always a breath of fresh air.
Isn't it a shame that one of the reasons for the vetting delays is that they can't find enough people who haven't cheated on their taxes or hired a nanny without paying SS taxes or hired an illegal?
And this is both Republicans and Democrats!
I've always thought Obama was threatened by her; there are a boatload of people who hate the Clintons, but there's also a boatload who favor the Clintons. Needless to say, their morals and whatnot sometimes leave little to be desired, but they are a powerful dynasty, whether people like to admit it or not...
and Rich, right-wing propaganda? Look at what the burqa stands for. For centuries it has been used to fully hide women, even their face, to cover-up, to keep them powerless, out of the public eye. Obviously Tina Brown wasn't alluding to the fact that Clinton is in the background because she's a woman, but I can see why she would use that metaphor talking about this subject- and I can guarantee you that I'm not a conservative. We all know he isn't a Muslim by now, the argument is old- she was simply using it as a metaphor about power.
Babs...if Prez Obama chooses to give alcorn money...theres nothing you can do about it,idiot
What I haven't seen discussed here is the fact that the Obama team has no choice but to put nominees through the ringer. If they don't the republicans will and everyone knows they will try to make out like the smallest little tax discrepancy is the same as high treason. Thats because all they have left is to be the party of NO. It's a tough situation to deal with I'm sure.
Chelsea Clinton 2016(Just Dreaming) A woman in the White House will never happen in our lifetimes. Hillary is where society wants her. The "burqa" metaphor is better than the tired "glass ceiling." Women in the US have a long, long way to go.
Wooo– Judy & Joane, were you two born racist (oppossing sides, but still racist), are did you develop into that over time????
Hillary as always is in fine control of herself as she showed during the recent election. This is one sharp cookie and Obama may think he has the Clintons in a box but he better watch out, the box ix made of crepe paper and n ot difficult to burst wide open and leave Obama going " Whaaaa?" Bill is also as wily as any coyote and has eaten the roadrunner for dessert so many times it goes beyond repeating, if Obama thinks he has Bill under control he is sticking his head in the jaws of a very hungry lion, one untraied as well except by Hillary. But played right, together, as a team if they give her her chance, Obama can do nothing but come out a winner, he just has to stop his group from insisting it all has to be "their way." If given the chance to open up Hillary can make Obama's administration shine even brighter and taking the muzzle off Bill and allowing him to go out and talk as an emissary of the Obama administration to the people and the health care plan and so many other items on the Obama agenda become not only doable but a peice of the cake, the Republicans would be hard pressed to be against all three of these elite people in any manner.
Anyone who has observed the Clintons over the last 20 years or so expected this garbage to come sooner rather than later. From the moment Hillary negotiated Secretary of State as the runner-up prize for her failed presidential run, people knew it wouldn't be long before she began undermining her boss. I'm surprised it took as long as 6 months to start! What has Clinton done at all in six months? She thunderously proclaimed North Korea's first nuclear test during the Obama administration as "very unhelpful"! Wow! Ready to President on "Day One", huh? Keep waiting Hillary! Only 3.5 more years until your next shot at getting the rest of the White House silverware!
Chetry is only interested in the PR aspects of Clinton's being sec'y of state. What about the issues? What about the substance of what Clinton is doing as sec'y and how well she is helping improve America's relationship with the world. None of this is discussed. Clinton is part of Obama's team, a team that is ostensibly trying to improve the world. Chetry is a cynical, political creature who can't look beyond image and PR and see that the state department is about difficult and sensitive diplomacy, not showing off who is more popular or has more power.
all of you idiots...he's the president not her
When have we ever see the Secretary of State get top billing over the President. Secretary Clinton is doing an excellent job promoting the new (and highly improved) foreign policy of the U.S. in a civilized and conscientious manner and, personally, I am thrilled that we are starting to rebuild our image. The "idiot cowboy" approach to foreign policy wasn't doing us any favors.
I think O offered her the job to neutralize her. She wouldn't very well be a critic of O if she reported to him. Remember her words during the campaign. Those things haven’t changed and hopefully she will now come out fighting. Will he replace her if she does, probably? She is a worker bee and he has basically patted her on the head and kept her quiet. I would imagine she would rather be replaced than be rendered insignificant.
Mary Richards:
Are you serious or are you just mentally handicapped? The media never criticized bush??? CNN verbally raped this man for 8 years – what media were YOU paying attention to?
CNN and other "state run" media outlets are never going to come out and say anything about Obama...it would be considered racist no matter what they might say.
As for hillary, I'm glad she's keeping a low profile. The less we see of her, the better!
If Hill's burqa were removed, she would upstage Obama and his teleprompter and you can't do that. It's unholy.
Hillary accepted the position, so she has to live with it.
Lets be realistic. Hillary came with a lot of baggage, some hers and some Bill's. Everytime she makes a big splash in the news taking any kind of 'position' or stating an opinion, people from all sides are going to ask if her position is that of the administration, her personally, or 'speaking for a friend'. I think the administration picked her for her contacts and to settle internal disputes in the party but is still afaid of monsters in her closet... Over time they will either give her more rope or she will slip out the back door with her debts closed. In reallity, she would never have taken the election as she had too much dirt under the rug and the republicans where really hoping she would win the primary so they could use it against her. Now Obama has to try and get the best use he can out of her without any more scandles which he really can't afford right now...
She wasn't elected she was appointed, what's the point of the election if she gets to be her own person. This is govt. folks, when you work there you work for someone not with them. Hillary is an employee not a leadership spring from which decisions flow, she's given a mission set, a set of standards on what her and President Obama along with the rest of his cabinet have discussed. Miss Brown doesn't realize that she isn't a member of the decision making body and I wonder how one even get's one of these pundit jobs. You could argue that these folks hurt our political apparatus
Tina Brown doesn't get it.
Hillary doesn't want attention at this point, because the more attention she gets the more difficult it will be for her to run for President after Obama's eight years are up or he gets voted out.
This Secratary of State appointment was a pacifier for Clinton to keep her from blowing up the whole Democratic party prior to the General Election.
Hillary is a power hungry, well supported politician. Hillary knows how to play the game and making noise when there is no reason to, is a losing move. Doing what Tina Brown wants her to would be putting herself at risk for negative press, and lower ratings.
Politicans know better than that Tina...
I think that very slowly America is starting to realize that Obama is about the most cynical politician in years, probably since Nixon. He skillfully avoids taking positions, and when he does take one and it turns out to be the wrong side, he uses his charm to convince the media that he was never wrong – like about the surge in Iraq, which is now "his" surge in Afghanistan. He muffles any kind of dissent off stage, while having his own heavies do the dirty work. He is perfectly comfortable quietly jettissoning his own constituencies when it is expedient. He manipulates a fawning media like a marrionette. Looking at his early political history, we KNEW this was the same old school politician, just packaged in a "hopeful" and charismatic exterior. And at the end of the day, he has nothing to offer but stale old Liberal solutions that have failed us in the past and will fail us again now. He is just very good at making us think they are new. As much as I dislike Hillary, she would have made a much better President and I could respect that she said what she believed, not what she thought would spin best in the media.
I don't know why President Obama gave her that post. He certainly could have done better.
It is funny that Sect. of State under both W. Bush and BO might turn out to be a place to put a very popular high powered person in your party that you disagree with - any historians out there know any other examples
Who heck is Tina Brown to be doing political stuff isn't she a NY long island gossip wag
Silence Bill -- why do tax payers have to give this multi-millionaire one red cent (we pay for his mail, we pay rent on his office, we pay his pension) disgusting –. He should get his pension and nothing else; if he wants to run an office let him pay for it. remember this quote "bill left a bad taste in my mouth" Monica
She's not the President. She has been made the President's senior Diplomat. As such, it's her JOB to represent the message of the US to the world. If she wants to have the spotlight, maybe she can pair up with Sarah Palin, and they can run for office together.
She chose to accept the position, now she has to live by her rules. Madeline Albright did the job well, and didn't try to hog the spotlight. Colin Powell did an admirable job, and showed restraint. Condy Rice, on the other hand, wanted all eyes on her. She was a disaster. Of course, so was her boss. But with the same boss, Powell still maintained an air of civility and decorum.
Hilary has to learn, and apparently so do you, that the job of the Secretary of State is to carry forward the President's agenda, not her/his own. Get a clue.
I don't understand what the problem is with the President of the United States having the final say on who he wants in his administration. Clinton is a part of the OBAMA ADMINISTRATION its not Clinton against the Obama administration she is a part of the greater whole. The people voted she lost President Obama won, there are far too many more important things going on in our country to still be focused on a lost election. The party as a whole needs to move on together as one force rather than to hold on to grudges.
He isn't a black king. He isn't keeping anyone under wraps. As for his popularity. As with most black people, we are expected to correct in days what white people destroyed over years. that's par for the course. He is not now, nor has he ever been a king. If you can read which I have been told is fundamental, you would know what the president is all about. Undoing the crap thas has been done to move forward.
Obama is a politican he choose her so she wouldn't be in the way. And as for Emmanuel... he want's to be the wizard behind the curtain. However the way Obama is printing and spending... what democrats do so well... socialism is on the horzion. And why did ACORN get soooomuch stimulus money?
NO!!!!!
Keep the burka on, and while you're at it, put duct tape over hillary's big mouth. Someone should tell hillary that she lost in the democratic primary, that she is not the queen, and she should stop her perpetual campaigning .
You hang in there Hillary. You are doing a great job. LOVE YOU!
Another point that needs to be made is that the description of Hillary as "Obama's other wife" really projects a sexist context which is inappropriate. If Hillary were male or Obama were female such a description would be nonsensical, and it really is nonsensical here too as well as sexist. Interesting that a woman would use that phrase.
Doesn't surprise me she's being kept under wraps ... smarter, better, more capable.
First we had a media never criticized Bush; now we have a media never reports what's what about Obama. What surprises me is someone has the guts to point it out.
Well....Well....What do you expect the Black King of the United States.......whoops I meant to say Black President of the United States to do? Treat others as you would not like to be treated. I think this Obama is partly just trying to show others he has Clinton on his team and value her skills but he is the ULTIMATE decision maker.
I think Tina Brown should get a life!
Tina does not know what the President is thinking, so she should keep her assumptions to herself.
Hillary Clinton is where she belongs. If she were suppose to be President she would be. She is Secretary of State, if she doesn't like it then let her turn in her resignation. As for Bill Clinton, this is not his Presidency and he should be respectful of the Obama Presidency, whatever that takes.
Stop complaining Tina. Don't make mountains out of molehills!!!
Chetry should have called Brown on the fact that she is apparently trying to allude to some sort of statement that Obama is a Muslim. He isn't. Mrs. Obama does not wear a burqa. This is thinly veiled right-wing propoganda at its hateful finest.
Perhaps we should ask Mr. Emmanuel whether he could allow Mrs. Clinton's Burqa to be removed or not?
You can't blame Obama for keeping her in the background...he learned a BIG lesson in the primaries...she has experience, power and is very popular. He, on the other hand, is starting to slowly lose ground. My guess is that she doesn't last through the next 3 1/2 years...but it will be her decision.
I suggest we go one further and put an ACTUAL burqa on her. I don't ever want to see her face revealed in any photo or any video footage. Why do you fawn over so?
I wish Hillary were President.