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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Tina Brown is a personality clearly in decline. How to get a few more minutes in the limelight? Revert back to the "Is Obama a Muslim?" issue by inferring Hillary is wearing an Obama administration burqa, clearly an inapprpriate analogy. She then takes it a step further by stating, " she has really taken a position where I call her Obama’s other wife. ", another thinly veiled reference to Islam and the allowance of multiple wives. Has Tina lost her punch, or has she simply become a bigoted mouthpiece for the conservative Religious Right in America? Either way, Shame on you Tina!
To "Jennifer for Islam"
The Burqua was instituted because of lustful men and to keep women under control. It is ALL about CONTROL. Islam is all about control and enforcement of religion and life. The extremists make sure of it !
Let see, the only female Pres. Obama has on his team in a KEY role is Sec. of State Clinton but then he even apoints Envoys for diplomacy issues in key areas such as Korea, Middle East, Iran/Iraq. So what is left for the Sec. of State?
His other key appoointees for Treasury, Economic Advisor, Tzars on GM, etc. have all been males.
In Pres. Obama's Cairo speech, he said that wearing a burqa does not a symbol of inequality.
So what is the big picture showing you? Maybe President Obama is not as progressive on women issues as he wants you to believe.....
Another case of a CNN article having an outlandish byline and then well-considered content. Usually at the Dems expense, but that's Murdoch for you. Newspaper first, followed closely by rabid Republican ideology. All the better when they mesh (like Fox).
This is a win win for Obama and Hilary – try to say she doesn't have breadth or foreign policy experience when she runs in 2016. Obama of course gets a Clinton clan that is forced to play ball. They can be pretty ruthless when they have something to gain at your expense.
That being said, I'll vote for her when it's her time. And this is just another example of Obama being good at playing the cards he's been dealt – a lesson he in no small part learned from Bill Clinton, the master. If there's one thing I'd like to see out of all of this it's Bill helping guide him through the politicking. Obama's really, really good, but Bill Clinton was the best ever.
That being said, Bill carved out a bunch of small gains where he could, with a ton of compromises, based on the hand he was dealt. Obama has the chance to bum rush in the big one that Bill and Hillary couldn't (at the time, because of the times) – national health care. This is more of a frontal assault than Bill ever had the chance to work, but it has the potential to be crushed under it's own weight.
Good luck to both Obama and Hillary, and I hope that they can both work towards what they have in common and have the grace to care more about the results than whether the results have their signature on it.
HILLARY DID NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT. JOHN MCCAIN AND BARACK OBAMA DID.
"Love, Peace and Happiness!!!" after Maria's little racist hate tantrum ?
When are you ever going to quit with this crap of the past ! ? Now that we have A "BLACK" PRESIDENT" why don't YOU shut up with these dumb comments ? Obama would never have been voted in, had not so many WHITE people voted for him, so get over YOURSELF, any black person with half a brain knows it !!!! Get lalso over yourself with YOUR racist issues. I bet none of this ever happened in your life and with this attitude, no wonder people back away...
This forum is about Hillary, not about racism, Bush or anything else. Some people are NEVER satisfied.. no matter what. I cannot think of any race or ethnic group in history that has not , at one time or another, been persecuted or mistreated.
CNN, why do you even post this garbage ? You guys stink!
I think it would be safe to say that Tina Brown is a Hillary wannabe. Haircut, age, whatever......scary.
Even more scary is that some desk at CNN publishes or even acknowledges her feces!
This is the practice of Sun-tsu performed perfectly, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
It is all Mr Obama can do to ensure that he wakes up in the am, has his staff kiss his rear and pay homage to his greatness, and then proceed to show everyone else that he is control. Yet, if he is - why can he not seem to defy gravity and keep his polls from slipping?
Hmmmm. Either way, personally I dont like either of them as a leader; but it's nice to sit back and watch the glass house slowly break down (cough teleprompter cough) ....
HILLARY SHOULD THANK OBAMA AND FORGET ABOUT ANY PRESIDENCY, LET ALONE THAT OF THE USA. SIXTEEN YEARS FROM NOW, AFTER JOE BIDEN´S PRESIDENCY, HILLARY CLINTON WILL BE OLDER THAN JOHN MCCAIN WAS LAST YEAR.
It is a shame that the media dished us Obama on their silver plater and skewered Hillary.
What is the Real shame: the Hillary is not our president. It is American's loss. Barack and Michelle can continue on their ken and barbie world tour.
Too bad we do not have real leadership as we would have had with Hillary! Obama is muzzleing the smartest woman in politics b/c of his own ego! shameful !
Said I completely agree with you. The use of the term burqa to represent a woman not allowed to "be her own person" is ridiculously inappropriate. And the fact that CNN would promote such a headline is insulting and politically incorrect (although I cant say I'm surprised with CNN..not the first time they've been blatantly prejudiced againt Muslim culture.)
Imagine if a politician said "Bernanke is acting like a Jew. He needs to loosen up on spending." And then that became a CNN headline. All hell would break loose. This is disrespectul and ignorant. Obviously Brown doesn't know the first thing about a burqa to begin with. She believes that a "liberated" woman has to wear a bikini so perverted men can gawk at her and fantasize. A respectable woman who respects her modesty however by covering her body..she's "not allowed to express herself." Idiots.
All that aside, what she says about Hillary is laughable.
The President and the Secretary of State have to speak with one voice.
This Hillary should take off her burqa remark is not only stupid sterotype that assumes a woman with a burqa does not speak up for herself, but it also flies in the face of common sence. How would we look to the rest of the world if our Secretary of State was not in agreement with our President? Ms. Brown would be better served if she would let her brain lead her mouth instead of the reverse.
SIXTEEN YEARS FROM NOW, AFTER JOE BIDEN´S PRESIDENCY, HILLARY WILL BE FAR OLDER THAN JOHN MCCAIN WAS LAST YEAR.
PRESIDENT HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON ? IN 16 YEARS TIME, AFTER JOE BEIDEN´S PRESIDENCY, HILLARY WILL BE OLDER THAN JOHN MCCAIN WAS LAST YEAR
WHY IS EVERYBODY ATTACKING HILLARY ON HERE. THIS WAS TINA BROWN'S OPINION ON WHAT SHE WANTS TO SEE,HILLARY HASN'T SAID ANYTHING. AND ONLY DOES WHAT OBAMA WANTS HER TO DO. SO GET OFF HER BACK ALREADY,THIS WOMEN HAS CLASS.
Hillary Clinton is doing her job. Just because she is not doing everything in the limelight does not mean that she is not taking care of business. As Tina stated, Hillary is about substance and because of that attribute work behind the scenes is often required. It is after all Obama's administration and his legacy and I believe Hillary respects the care and work he is trying to put into it. Bill Clinton has NOTHING to do with this. He is off busy in the black community trying to fix the gaffes he made by joining a black fraternity. Tina's comments are also disrespectful to Hillary . Let's not forget also that she had to recuperate from surgery and she is no spring chicken. She should also stop being part of this quickie, up to the minute, culture that over scrutinizes everything and is as much to blame on progress as Tina Brown's empty self-serving rant.
Mary Richards: Are you kidding me? A media that never criticized Bush. Thats a laugh and a half. They went after him from start to finish. I am a Democrat and I recognize that.
Tina Brown seems to be right on the money. Chairman Obama would have it no other way.
This tina brown is clearly a psychotic moron and a sexist religous bigot! CNN endorses her views by promoting her and her warped views when she already has her own soap box to rant and rave from.
Can anyone blame Obama for wanting to keep Hillary in a box?
I mean, there's a reasons she's not VP – he'd have to check his food for poison – because she's not here for COUNTRY or SERVICE, she's here for herself. Bottomline – so if she's already getting in a tizzy that Obama (THE PRESIDENT) has his hands on things...then perhaps she should just slip off into obscurity.
And uh, im guessing had she become president – she'd be doing exactly what Obama is doing – putting her fingerprints on EVERYTHING.
Hillary is a brillian executive. Obama is a good leader. Robust foreign policy requires work to be done without media/limelight. Hillary is and will be an asset to this country post-Obama, post-whoever. In today's global economy, global warming, global challenges, we are lucky to have her in that role.
Tina Brown should get her money back from whichever university she got any degree from. Obviously, CNN needed some ratings at any cost. Tina Brown you are a disgrace to all women.
Black Talsma
Clinton and Obama are doing a fine job? What do you define as a fine job, growing the National Debt to unprecedented amounts, taking the country obviously toward Socialism, apologizing for America at every opportunity and appeasing those who wish us harm, taking no action to support Democratic movements in Iran but support dictators like Chavez, and his pals? Are you serious? Wake up.
Azael, If you are not an American black person you don't understand and never will the machinations of this country. The standard has always been set higher for us in everything. It was not a racist statement but a statement in fact. It was a fear of mine when he ran. As for experience. No one in this position came in with experience. From my view point every thing you said was racist and sexist. If you had left narcissistic out, you may have had some credibility. What? Is he not humble enough to suit you? Neither am I. Nor will I ever be. 60 years in America killed that. It's amazing. We tell you about you and we are racist. It's starting to wear thin.
Yes I think Hillary is being curtailed and she should be able to have more say and pick who she wants for posts that involve her job.
Hillary is a very smart lady, one class act and I am on her side all the way.
I never understood why she would leave a plum senate seat for life to work her butt off for an old rival who can fire her at will. I never heard the downside of her career-change discussed in the media.
What a ridiculously inaccurate use of metaphor. Way to go, Tina.
I think there is a reason it is called the Obama Administration.... and not the Obama Administration, starring Hilary. I think Mrs. Clinton understands her role far better than some of her supporters. 2016 is just around the corner.
Fundraisers for ambassadors? Gee, what a surprise. More change we can believe in...
Good.... good... Feel the evil swelling up inside of all of you... take your pen up and strike me down! Then you will know the power of the dark side....
All I know is Obama isn't anything what he advertised and now all of you fine Americans are finally starting to see the light. The only reason he won was because a bunch on non-informed and first time voters came out of the woodworks to vote for something they were tricked into believing.
please enough of this non sense. i will suggest for all of you to go to politico.com and read today ben smith 's article about Secretary Clinton speech tommorrow to the council of foreign affairs. It answered mrs' brown article. Democrats do not let your emotions spiraled for garbage. As far as Foreign Policy the SOS is member of the president's Cabinet and therefore should follow the president's directive. on any matters. For example mrs' Brown did not mention the fact that President Obama followed mrs Clinton advice to send more troops to Afghanistan .He overruled VP Biden in that case who favored the opposite. He said in an interview that was one the toughest decision he made so far. Also i do not buy that argument that she is locked in a box. These are two astute politicians and former opponents that agreed to a deal ( example european's one... Gordon brown and blair in England) and they are playind it to perfection
just watch and see 2012 or 2016 depending on how the economy goes and Biden still shouting himself in the mouth. As far as Bill he did take the UN ENVOY to Haiti as a way to rehabilitate himself to the Black Community by helping the poorest nation of the western hemisphere get up its feet. Hope you get the message and do not let republican operatives do what they do best divide and conquer
I wish both king hussein obama and the hillster would just fade away but thats not going to happen I wish palin were pres she would run circles around both of them in class and politics, down with the king **FREEDOM***
Ms. Brown, I like the metaphor you use "Burqa" there's a LOT of truth on that metaphor. Hillary is MARGINALIZED. When Obama flew to Russia, his Secretary of State should have been with him, but instead he had his wife, children, mother-in-law and other members of Michelle Robinson Obama family in his entourage.
As corrupt politicians always say; "What are we in power for." Wherever Obama goes, if his wife is with him, you'll never see Hillary Clinton. During the Clinton and Bush years, whenever they travel overseas their SOS is always with them even if their wives tag along with them. NOT in this administration.
Appointment of Hillary as SOS is plain DECORATION, like a christmas decoration; looks nice but do NOT have any purpose.
"LEAVE IT ON"!! Thankfully, the racist HRC has not been heard from or seen lately. The only people that may miss her, are the PUMA idiots – and I didn't know – Tina was among the 'KLAN'
I never saw this as a great choice to begin with, from a skill set point of view. She was married to a president. How does that qualify her to be secretary of state? I know she may be so smart and everything, but the way people weep over the injustices done to her makes me think that maybe she has some secret super powers of intellect or charisma that I have never seen her actually display.
Hillary Clinton is by far a better President than Obama. Obama is a control freak and should have let Clinton's pick of Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Holbrooke, stand. He's an idiot for not giving a top notch leader free rein to choose the people she thinks is best for the job. The "burga" reference is totally right on. Obama is sexist!
Joanne Johnson said:"you would know what the president is all about. Undoing the crap thas has been done to move forward."
Could you please explain to me exactly what crap he has undone. While you're at it tell me what he has moved forward. have you looked at the debt lately, or the budget deficit.
Do you have children? Would you like thier children to still be paying for this administrations boondoggles.
What Obama and his minions are doing has been proven repeatedly in our history NOT TO WORK.
When you're deeply in debt, do you spend more money to fix the problem?
It really is just basic common sense although I realize that phrase has become an oxymoron to you liberals.
sounds like we should be calling Obama Dictator not President!
Well, some of us felt sooooo threatened to have a female president that they decided to go from Dumb to Dumber. So, once again, we have to put with the usual male idiocy.
Mia, Hillary is a polarizing figure. She is by far more divisive of a figure than Obama is. It isn't even close.
She has experience? She came into office 2 years before Obama did. Gee, what experience!
Power? What power?
The fact is that the future of Democratic Party selected Obama. Old, white folks are who supported Hillary.
Yes, I wish Hillary were president too. I really miss her. I think we made a mistake.
Can we take a moment and get back to focusing on the real issues? The economy, health care, the environment?...
I respect Hillary (and Bill), but her career aspirations are _really_ her business.
President Obama needs everyone's support to accomplish the HUGE challenges on his desk.
This is not a reality show - it's our lives.
I guess if Hillary was president the war in Iraq be over, the economy would be fixed by now, we all would have health care, a job and an SUV. The minds of some people and what the color of a person's skin makes them believe. Incredible – where were all these voices for the last eight years....
You always keep your enemies close to the vest. Of course it was intentional. And a smart move. I saw this 'before' it happened. Actually, both Clintons need boxing up and sent to Haiti.
Hillary is not suppose to be in the "limelight" She is not president and never will be. This is the Obama administration...not the Obama/Clinton administration. If she wanted more of the limelight she shouldve been Vice President. Either way both are horrible picks and Obama has done really nothing that has improved our economy and future.
"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."
Bravo! I couldn't have said it better. Of all the references she could have used to illustrate the point, Ms Brown chose the only one that goes back to the Muslim/Not Muslim issue. Way to kill two birds with one conservative, right wing stone!
Man you guys love to stir the s**t. Judging from the comments here it is working! Hillary is doing her job. A fine job I might add. No part of her job requires her to be on the talk shows.
mary richards, how is Hillary "smarter, better, more capable"? You need to offer some sort of reasons for that belief.You just stating it means absolutely nothing.
Does everybody forgot how much Clinton bashed Obama during the primary? Is he supposed to turn around after winning and kneel before her? He didn't have to give her anything but he did, most likely for political reasons, but hey after you've won it doesn't matter he still could have easily picked somebody else. In the news you often don't really hear about anybody else besides the President, not even the Vice President gets a lot of air time. I think she's doing just fine performing her job and not trying to elbow her way into the spotlight. She'll get her shot again in 3.5 – 7.5 years, and by then she'll probably have a good chance of winning the Democratic Nomination. In the meantime she is the Secretary of State, and she will act as such. She's smart, she knows what she has to do.
Folks, don't go for the republiCON bait.
This is just another republiCON divide and conquer tactic.
President Obama and Sect. of State Clinton, both seem to be doing a fine job.
Sounds to me like Tina Brown is the one insulting Hillary. Hillary obviously wanted the job, or she would not have taken it – and implementing the president's smart policies is part of the job.
The secret to Obama's success is that he does not let personal feelings or vendettas affect good politics/policy, and that he lets others take some of the glory (look at how he's letting Congress write health care, under his direction of course). That, Tina, is called leaderhship. He has succeeded at everything he's tried and that drives his detractors crazy. By the way, Hillary is doing a great job in her new role.
Great article, behind the scenes there must be some truth to this. Yes the Clintons have been boxed out but is that really bad? Think about it! In order for Obama to be effective he has to feel safe so when he wants to go against the base or make a controversial decision the political ramifications are less. I say great move Obama, it is a win win because Hillary is a Genius. Or it might be a deal brokered for her to take the nomination in 2016? or maybe her daughter? haha I want to see everyone chew that last one up.
good move by obama; he kept his enemy close and in his control. hillary will never be president, and hopefull neither will palin.
I think it was a mistake to put her in the cabinet in any capasity.
Her and big Bill are in it for one thing and one thing only,.....show me the money!
"It's all really about Obama getting the limelight". Really!!?? I would never have thought that!
I too see this burqa comment as a hidden way of insulting the Islamic faith in general and our President in particular. Such language is an attempt at linguistic programming. But I can see and you can too.
She does come off a bit bitter. Clinton is a member of Obama's government. Really she shouldn't get any more or less than any of the other members.
I think Tina is DEAD ON point! I told my father, an ardent Obama supporter, from day one that he asked Hillary to take the job so he could keep her quiet. Yes – she accepted – but perhaps so she could remain in the public eye in a very public way until 2013. Only time will tell the answer. I find it fascinating, dare I say calculating, the number of former Clinton-era folks who've found new positions within the Obama administration. All it proves to me is that he knew in his heart of hearts he doesn't have the abilities needed for the job.
I'm all for this idea as long as Tina Brown puts a burqa on.
I think the president has done a great job! The less I see the name Clinton the better!!!!! In fact he should just plan her in N. Korea for the next four years!!!!
I strongly object to Tina Brown's characterization of Hilary Clinton being forced to wear a burqa by the Obama administration.
Hillary Clinton knew very well what the job would entail, and is doing a tremendous job as Secretary of State.
Oh, and by the way.....it is her responsibility, as well as every other member of the administration, to back up the President.
You certainly don't look like Ann Coulter, but with your knack for distorting facts, you sure do sound like her.
is tina lost in her own logic? another case of a bad dye job seeping into the cranium. on one hand she is saying remove the burqa and on the other she is saying she is his second wife. eating your cake and having it too? perhaps. you want her to be respected as a independent thinker but then you classify her as a second wife?? she was appointed and not elected. he won the presidency so he somehow is hampering her from doing what exactly? do you even know? are you an arm chair quarterback, and have never played the game, don't know what is being discussed, but you somehow intuit that he is "hampering" her from being the "what?? – president?" get a clue tina, maybe try a darker shade of brown. the dumb blond know it all routine is not working for you.
What a silly commentary. There is only one President, it's not something being shared between Hillary and Obama. And without Hillary herself complaining this is all speculation and guessing.
Again, this commentary is completely the opinion of someone who is not Hillary and apparently does not understand the chain of command very well.
Gotta love the burqa comment, why doesn't she just come out and say what she really means by that.
Politics 101 – January 20th was the first day of Obama's re-election campaign.
January 21st was his first victory, sidelining his major opponent within the democratic party. Hilary Clinton.
I wish Hillary were President too.
Nothing has surprise me.
I thin Joanne is a racist.....by the way, why do blacks call Obama a black president...he is half white so why is he not refered to as a white president....his father was black is that the reason? If the father is black does that meant the kid is? His father was also Muslim. does that make him one? As for the statement that we need Palin, that had to be a joke....Alaska is better off without that person so is the United States....she has about as much chance at being President as Joe Jackson being named father of the year...
I wonder where Tina Brown is getting all her sources from with all this speculation of who's doing what, for what reason, and making out as if she knows their inner most thoughts and motivations.
The President of the United States is suppose to be the leader. He's suppose to set the tone. If Clinton didn't want to work "under" him, then she shouldn't have accepted. But, I don't seem to hear complaints from her.
Bill Clinton is doing what any partner would do (and indeed, what his wife did for him when he was President) – he is supporting her in the best ways he can.
Keep the burqa on. You may need it on your next trip to Afganistan.
Slow news day?
The President should be front and center – not Hillary. It is good to see her less bull-dog. We know she's smart and she will evolve into her own star but right now given the mess we are in I think she's smart to support the agenda of the President, not puch her own. There'll be time for that. It took years to get into this mess we are currently in because of unethical and self-serving behavior. It will take years to unwind it. Anyone who thinks there may be a quick fix this year or next is not facing reality. That includes our relationships with other countries that Cheney-Bush all but destroyed.
Oh, for cryin' out loud. Is this some kind of new concept to you people? Having a boss and working as a team (with only one leader) is how it's supposed to work, you douche bags. Just because Hillary is doing what she's supposed to do (take orders, follow and promote the president's agenda, etc.) doesn't mean there's an issue, doesn't mean she's more qualified, and doesn't mean she should be dissatisfied with her mission. Sheesh! Some of you need a lot more education in the real world.
I know what you can do with your burqa analogy, TIna!
David Benton, stop being a pig-headed sexist and acknowledge her for what she truly is...an intelligent, experienced woman who would've better navigated the presidency so far compared to Obama.
yes she should have been the president – this country's loss and the world's – we could again have had the two most brilliant persons in the white house – instead of this ego maniac
Take off the burqa! Is Tina making fun of the woman that wears these burqa in their own countries. Burqa has nothing to do with Hillary, I am sure she ask for that position when she and Obama had a one on one meeting during the elections. We had enough of Hillary Clinton on a power trip and wanting to be in the limelight to get back at her Bill. Hillary can take care of herself.
SHAY let me guess u are black
I wish Hillary were president, too.
Barack Obama is a political genius. His strategic placement of the Clintons attests to his political acumen. Her Rhetorical strength along with the former President's should be used wisely, not strewn about willy nilly. When it counts, their voices will be heard.
Who's the one being smart, here? By performing her position well, by remaining cooperative and yet somewhat independent, she maintains her viability for another Democratic nomination. She's not done yet.
I think that Hillary Clinton thought she could do some good, by being on the inside, if she was part of the Obama administration. This totally back fired and she's definately been 'boxed in' by Obama.
Smart strategy on his part, but he's got way too much ego for me to feel that he's looking out for the interests of U.S. citizens. He may be smooth and smart, but that doesn't mean he's looking out for our welfare and that doesn't make me feel like my future is in good hands.
Clinton would be in a better position to help our Country if she were able to speak her mind and require Obama to defend his choices and policies.
Last time I checked Hillary was appointed as Secretary of State. I don't recall her being elected as President of Foreign Policy. She serves at the pleasure of the president and her role is to do what the president asks her to do and not decide on her own what US foreign policy is and how she can implement her own plan... If she doesn't like it she can "Palin' out of that job and start running for president again.
This is really ridiculous. CNN is running out of stories to write.
Joane Johnson wrote: As with most black people, we are expected to correct in days what white people destroyed over years.
That’s a great racist comment. Obama is in so over his head it’s not even funny, it’s dangerous. It has nothing to do with race and everything to do with his naïve and inexperienced, narcissistic attitude. Neither he nor Clinton should be in either of their positions. And no, McCain was not the right choice either.
"Islam introduced women rights and basic civil liberties at a very lawless time in humanity. " Are you insane? What about those countries that treat the women like cattle? Not allowed to drive? Not allowed to be outside by herself? Not allowed an education? Must cover from head to toe? ooooooh yes, I WANT TO IGNORE THE TRUTH....Many of the hardlined Islamic Governments allow honor killings and female castration...Geez, which non-Islamic countries allow for all these heinous ABUSIVE ACTIONS AGAINST WOMEN? Again, lest we forget that Obama approves of Burqa use in the USA while Sarkozy from France does not because of the oppressive meaning of it
I think the Burka notion was an attempt to create a visual image of suppression, which was Tina's intent. We have had Secretaties of State who were probably more well known than they should have been. Dulles, Kissinger, Haig, and Rice come immediately to mind. They, by an large, created problems not only for their president, but for the country by their ego driven policies. Secretary Clinton has performed well beyond the expectations of most in that regard.
The notion that Hillary would immediately create her own little empire at State are preposterous. She understands that for her to have any future in politics means that her number one priority now is to do the best she can in the job she has agreed to perform. I think she is doing a wonderful job, she will eventually be able to be more public in her performance of the office, but that must be within the scope of her brief.
I know this story is about Hilary and why she needs to be stronger but...
Nice display of racism there TB. Take off her burqa. I am clearly irritated by the blatant misunderatnding of Islam by people in western societies. George Galloway is the only person that speaks about things involved in the religion that actually knows anything about it. Your attempted pun here is unnecessary and a blatant stab at something you clearly know nothing about. I think CNN needs to rid itself of commentators that attempt to be funny by using stabs at others cultural beliefs.
I don't have a clear sense of the strategic direction this current administration is taking regarding foreign policy , apart from building general good will and repairing bridges. It apears more reactive than proactive, and this includes invading Afghanistan. Hilary Clinton is a woman of vision and energy – if she is being "boxed in" in other ways than a lack of media minutes, this is a serious miscalculation on the part of the Obama administration at a critical time for the country. One would hope President Obama would not let party or personal politics lead him to make such a fundamental error.
I sure as heck hope this isn't a "game". I want our president to be paying attention to more important things than playing games with the Clintons.
Hillary as Secretary of State is not only "influenced" by the Administration but apparently the intelligence assets of the administration as well. Hillary meeting with Zaleya (of Honduras) was a travesty. Both Obama and Clinton need human intelligence from unbiased sources to effectively manage foreign policy. Hillary sitting side by side in a photo op with Zaleya, a leftist, crooked, Chavez puppet makes me wonder what the hell the Obama administration was thinking. As far as Obama's slide in popularity – he needs to get his foreign policy intelligence from intelligent and truthful operatives. That was not the case with the Honduran supposed coup and I wonder about the Afghan campaign. In my view Obama's shining star has faded.
As far as I am concerned, the Clinton's should have been deported to some alien place a long time ago, never to return. They have absolutely no morals or scruples and are evil in actions and thinking. Bill should have been not only impeached for his actions while in the White House, but hanged or shot as a trader for his imorral actions while President of this Great United States of America. We need Christainty back in our nation, I am sick of hearing about all of the politians and their immoral & wicked adultry.
Tina Brown is a long-time friend of the Clintons, so I understand WHY she's saying what she's saying. However, this is the Obama ADMINISTRATION. That is a team. This is not a showcase for one politician who wants to run for President someday. How much VP Gore did we really see during 8 years of Bill Clinton's presidency, and that was the VP, let alone SoS. How many know who Bill Clinton's two SoS were? This isn't a beauty pageant, this is our government. I want them working, not worrying about how many minutes of air time their getting.
Texas Annie, I am not now nor have I ever been a racist. It would have been so easy. I am a 60 yr old black woman and any opinions have been formulated from watching, reading and listening.
Do you seriously think I am going to listen to jackasses who call the president black messiah and other code words and take it? You have the wrong black woman. I did not vote for Bush but i would never disrespect him in such a manner. My parents taught their daughters manners.
Tina Brown is simply promoting her pathetic web site by making outlandish comments. When Tina ran the New Yorker was barely readable and she nearly drove it into the ground. Let’s not forget the terrible magazine she started called TALK, it lasted less then three years and who was on the cover of the 1st issue, Hillary Clinton!
Now she's doing her best to copy cat the Huffington Post. This ladies track record doesn't deserve her getting this kind of PR from CNN.
Shame on you Tina for attempting to create a conflict were none exists. Both Hillary and Obama are doing the best that anyone could hope for give the situation they inherited.
If you really want to know about Obama, read his books. They don't leave much in question about what he is trying to accomplish. As far as Clinton goes, I would rather see some new blood in office instead of the same old families, doing the same old party garbage.Its time people stood on the principal of a subject than standing on the right side of party lines.Thats how both the Republicans and the Democrats got this nation in this mess.
I think I would drop dead if any of these so called leaders used a ounce of common sense in their decision making process. The proof is in the facts, NOT THE MEDIA!!! They are as criminal as both the Republican and Democratic parties. Maybe even more so..........
Aren't all of you Hillary supporters glad now that you were manipulated to support Obama? Obama has put her in a box and her career, contributions and time in the limelight are over, forever. I'm a republican but I voted for Hillary in the primaries because she is not a communist like Obama. She's screwed and so is the rest of the country.
Tina Brown is just another Clintonista sore about her loss in the primary. Go join the Republicans in the crying room.
Yet another reason the Democrats will not, and cannot, sustain the momentum that the Republicans gave them. It was only due to the Republicans failures that the Democrats have so much advantage right now. The Dems didn't do anything spectacular to earn it. They simply were the other party that screwed up less than the GOP. It is kind of like the runner up at a beauty pageant. When the winner fails to perform the runner up gets the crown by default.
This type of conflict will bring down the Dems just like it did last time.
Lets just hope that instead of Dems or Repubs that a thrid party gets a chance to take the reins and lead this country.
Not that a third party is going to be much better but I think a third party candidate with different ideas deserves a chance.
As for now I'm just sitting back and watching the Obama policy lose traction within his own party, and watching to see how many more campaign promises he can break, and how much more money he can spend thinking that he only knows the cures for our ills.
Name one time in history that throwing billions and billions of dollars at a failing economy has worked?...............................................................................................................Silence, that's what I thought.
Let the bad businesses fail and let the taxpayers keep more of their money to spend on the good businesses. Seems simple to me.
I have really enjoyed not hearing from or seeing Hillary. If it could only be done to Nancy Pelosi as well that would be nice.
The burqa comment was legitimate. Attempts to turn it into a Muslim slur wil fail. Tina Brown is a very smart women, she also deals in gossip, which doesn't meant she isn't right. I hope she's wrong. I think Hilary would have been a much more passionate advocate for health rights, tax reform and gay rights. What issue is Obama passionate about? Will he go to the mat for health care or will he pass any water down bill just to get his name in the history books. Will his bill really improve American's lives?
His passion seems to be being President, not the possibilities that come with it. He's more interested in wooing over the right than being true to the values he professed in the campaign.
Who says the secretary of state needs limelight? Only those who would have preferred Clinton as president, is my guess. Clinton has her job to do and it doesn't involve preening or campaigning before the cameras. It's not about women's equal rights, it's about diplomacy and U.S. aims. The administration is right in keeping a tight reign on its people to get out a unified message to the world — friend or foe. Obama is in charge and all others in his fold should follow or find other employment. Anything less is chaos and that has been a failing of too many Democratic administrations in the past. I believe Clinton is showing good discipline. Ms. Brown should worry about more important things such as seating a Latina supreme court judge.
Surprisingly, I do not miss her public lies, exagerations, and manipulations. Good ridance to bad rubbish.
The burqa would look great on Hillary....I'm sure Bill would approve!
You make observations on your opinions then you treat those opinions lik ethee are facts. YOU think it's all about Obama gettin gthe attention, there was no evidence to support your opinion.
The vetting procces has to be difficult because of the nonsense the GOP pulls. They take anything they can ans misrepresent it and blow it way out of proporition. They make improving anything about our country as difficult as they can. They think that is what politics is all about. You make observations on your opinions then you treat those opinions lik ethee are facts. YOU think it's all about Obama gettin gthe attention, there was no evidence to support your opinion.
The vetting procces has to be difficult because of the nonsense the GOP pulls. They take anything they can ans misrepresent it and blow it way out of proporition. They make improving anything about our country as difficult as they can. They think that is what politics is all about.