Two Clintons In The Spotlight

Washington Post: If Hillary Clinton Is Named Secretary Of State, Bill Clinton's Global Reach Has Both Plusses And Minuses

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Michael D. Shear and Philip Rucker.

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If Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is named the next secretary of state, she and her husband could be positioned to lead a public-private partnership on the global stage unlike any before it, one that experts say would bring with it a host of potential benefits and pitfalls for the new president.

Since leaving the White House, Bill Clinton has used his connections with world leaders to position himself as something akin to the world's philanthropist in chief -- and become rich in the process by collecting huge sums from foreign companies eager to hear him speak.

That arrangement could be complicated, though, by his wife joining the Obama administration, with the prospect of questions about any conflict of interest or attempts to curry influence.

For the past four years, Bill Clinton has convened the annual Clinton Global Initiative, a glamorous philanthropic conference that brings together hundreds of corporate chiefs, heads of state, humanitarians and celebrities. The William J. Clinton Foundation has ballooned into a global nongovernmental organization with a staff of more than 800, addressing chronic problems such as climate change, hunger, AIDS and malaria.

If President-elect Barack Obama selects Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state, she will oversee many of the U.S. government's foreign aid programs, potentially turning the couple into an overwhelming force in global aid, say some leaders in the philanthropic community.

"It boosts her stature, it boosts the work of the Clinton Global Initiative, it boosts the whole concept of American partnerships making a real difference on the global level," said Steve Gunderson, president of the Council on Foundations and a former Republican congressman.

"She will be able to say in many of her meetings, 'We're in a situation where I can't commit congressional foreign assistance, but let me work with the philanthropic community back in the United States to see if there are ways that they can be helpful,'" Gunderson said.

The choice of Clinton would present other potential problems for Obama. He would be investing his fortunes not only with his former rival for the presidency but also in an outsize figure on the global scene who has been conducting a kind of privately financed foreign policy all his own since leaving office. Obama and the former president have also continued to share a somewhat strained relationship since the end of the Democratic nominating contest.

Bill Clinton's web of personal financial ties and public policy pronouncements about the world's challenges would instantly become a source of possible discord with a new Obama administration as his wife travels the same world circuit as America's official emissary.

"He's a former president of the United States. He's been traveling around the world, and he's got his foundation and a lot of foreign policy efforts going on," said Leon Panetta, Clinton's former chief of staff and now a professor of public policy. "What they will have to obviously be careful of are the potential conflicts that might appear."

Supporters of the former first lady reject the idea that her selection as secretary of state would be viewed through a prism of either the benefits or the baggage provided by her husband.

"She was one of the most successful primary candidates," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). "I really think that it's unfair to suggest that there's any type of a package that comes with her appointment."

But Hillary Clinton's presence in Obama's Cabinet would mark a shift in the kind of relationship that presidents have traditionally shared with predecessors who maintained a high profile.

Occupants of the Oval Office tend to keep former presidents at arm's length, sometimes turning to them occasionally to play roles such as special emissary during international disasters or humanitarian crises. President Bush asked both his father and Clinton to raise relief money after the Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Bill Clinton, as president, enlisted predecessors to advocate for the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Former president Jimmy Carter was a thorn in the side of George W. Bush, traveling to Syria, Cuba and the Middle East to meet with leaders despite complaints from the White House.

"You want to be able to determine when you are going to make use of a former president in terms of foreign policy or trying to help on particular issues. That can be a very powerful tool if it's used well," Panetta said. "It has to be used with discretion. The last thing you want is to have a former president be a rogue."

Some foreign policy experts said seeking to exploit Bill Clinton's reach and experience could prove a mistake.

"They might be tempted to use him in the Middle East. That wouldn't be a wise thing to do," said Charles Hill, a Yale professor who served several secretaries of state. "It's too American. It's too visible. That's a danger that the Obama team has to face and deal with."

Hill said there is also the danger that the former president's constant presence could lead some world leaders to question the authority of the new president.

"He's got to maintain his stature. He should not want Bill Clinton getting all the ink. Or Hillary Clinton," Hill said. Selecting Hillary Clinton to serve, he said, would violate one of the cardinal rules of foreign policy: "Secretaries of state don't deal with ex-presidents. And if they do, the White House raps their knuckles."

For his part, Bill Clinton said last night that his wife would be "a great secretary of state." Speaking in Kuwait City before an international audience of economists and politicians gathered by the National Bank of Kuwait, Clinton said that if Obama "decided to ask her and they did it together, I think she'll be really great as a secretary of state," Agence France-Presse reported. He said he did not know whether she had discussed the post with Obama's camp.

Hillary Clinton would not discuss the matter Friday, saying in Albany, N.Y.: "I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration. I'm going to respect his process."

By taking the Cabinet post, Hillary Clinton would also force new scrutiny of her husband's charitable activities and his private financial dealings. Bill Clinton has raised millions of dollars for his foundation but has declined to publicly disclose its benefactors. Likewise, most of the donors who helped bankroll his presidential library in Little Rock have never been disclosed.

"It certainly is likely to sharpen the scrutiny that the press and critics will give to the types of things he does in raising the money," said Joel L. Fleishman, a philanthropy expert and professor of law and public policy at Duke University. Fleishman added that "her being secretary of state would tend to raise the scrutiny."

Since founding his global conference, Clinton says, he has facilitated charitable commitments valued at $46 billion that already have improved more than 200 million lives in 150 countries. And his personal wealth has ballooned as well: The Clintons earned a combined $109 million during the Bush administration.

The 63-page vetting document that Obama is using asks applicants whether there are "any categories of personal financial records . . . that you (or your spouse) will not release publicly if necessary. If so, please identify these records and state the reasons for withholding them."

Interestingly, in the margins of a copy of the application leaked from the transition team, the word "Clinton" is written next to that paragraph.

After earning $200,000 a year in the White House, the former president has raked in more than $40 million on the speaking circuit, often from foreign companies in countries where a Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would confront thorny issues in the next several years.

Even without a wife in Obama's Cabinet, Clinton has already raised eyebrows with his speeches. In February 2005, Clinton spoke about AIDS to a Swiss biotech firm whose American subsidiary eventually agreed to pay $704 million after pleading guilty to conspiracy. In 2001, he was paid $125,000 to speak to International Profit Associates, an Illinois company that was the focus of a federal investigation and a government lawsuit alleging widespread sexual harassment.

Clinton has also turned his friendships with wealthy businessmen into a source of personal income. Partnerships with billionaire California investor Ronald Burkle earned Clinton more than $5 million. The former president made more than $3 million as a consultant to InfoUSA, a consumer data business founded by his friend Vinod Gupta.

Clinton has also been linked to controversial foreign deals. A New York Times report suggested that the former president had played a key role in helping a Canadian mining executive, Frank Giustra, win a uranium-mining contract in Kazakhstan.

The paper reported that Giustra donated $31.3 million to Clinton's foundation shortly after the Kazakhstan mining deal was finalized.

Staff researcher Madonna Lebling contributed to this report.

[liberty4you]

What has become of change in government? Obama wants who to be Attorney General... Pardoner of Marc Rich under Bill Clinton?

I am opposed to Hillary as Sec. of State due to her "I am holier than thou" attitude toward Barack during the democratic primaries.

Everything that she stood for during her campaign, the way she ran her campaign (i.e. Dictator) and her involvement bashing Obama with Rezko, CanadaGate, Bosnia, Experience, et. al and now she wants to be #2 running the show in the White House.

Why Obama have you not chosen already John Kerry for SOS and Patrick Fitzgerald for AG?

Is this any change that you promised America?

[rjmcbs]

the only good thing about Hillary becoming sec. of state is that she won''t be my absentee senator anymore. Eight years of doing nothing for New York,
thanks Hill, Don''t let the door hit your big fat ***
on the way out!

[olivia4441]

Hilalry has done what EXACTLY to better this country? Proven that she stays with a cheater? Proven she can talk a good yarn? Proven if you marry a man in politics you can go far in this country.. with all the Democratic morons?

[oldguy4truth]

Hillary would be a good S.O.S. Why is it a conflict if Bill remains in his foundation. I have never heard anyone make any statment involving George Senior being spoaksman for the same foundation, when GW, his son is a sitting president

[tazmjam]

Clinton has already raised eyebrows with his speeches...Clinton has also turned his friendships... Clinton has also been linked. So what are you suggesting...he investigate any company that ask him to give a speech just in case they may do something wrong??? Are you suggesting he not make money consulting...or giving speeches...or that he not become partners with wealthy businessmen who are friends??? OH MY GOD...how dare Bill Clinton be a successful world philanthropist. WHY has the Obama camp leaked the information that he%u2019s considering Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, and then allow the transition team to release a vetting document with Clinton written beside the paragraph concerning releasing personal finances? This is all a PLOY...he has laid the ground work for a plausible excuse for not hiring her at the same time he claims to be considering her. This could have all been done discretely instead he is doing it publicly...what is he hoping to gain? Surely he%u2019s not trying to gauge public opinion...
%u201CThe nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.%u201D
Winston Churchill

[wiokake]

What concerns me here is the economic downfall of the US began with the loss of US jobs with Bill signing NAFTA to "reach across the Isle to the big $ Rebublican controllers. During the campaign Hill said she opposed NAFTA and its effects. Yet now it sounds like Bill could be in bed with the heads of the US Corporations who are invested overseas, attempting to reduce US to 3rd world status. Sounds dangerous and only change for even a more severe worsening of the economy.

[ajmarine111]

Plus this almost certainly puts John Kerry''''s bid for the Sec of State job on ice. God, please don''''t let that obsolete, irrelevant buffoon get the job. I know, many of my friends here might object to this but you have to admit Hillary is the best choice for this job.


Posted by Rowdydfw at 08:22 PM : Nov 17, 2008



Have to agree with you here Rowdy.


Kerry is a horse face, pompous a*s and Hillary would do a much better job,.........and I am no fan of the Clintons.

[formrusmcsgt]

No way this is going to fly.

Hillary didn''t have to be confirmed by the Senate if she had won the presidency.

S.O.S. is quite another matter.

Bill, by refusing to disclose his dealings, can''t pass the test of being a forthright spouse, which indeed, does matter in these issues.

Ask Bess Myerson.....

[cherry2435]

Sounds like some real Rush Limbaugh fans also listen and read something besides his hate spewing, but like to spew his lies along with him.
Hillary would be great in any job, but I hope she will stay in the Senate where she can make a difference for all of us.

[jgunther7]

Obama during Primary: You can''t go to washington with the same players and expect a different outcome... Well, if he picks Hillary, he apparently doesn''t want a different outcome.

Should be either Bill Richardson or John Kerry. These guys have the credentials and would act as servants of the people. Hillary views it as nothing more than a means to her own personal agenda.

I voted for Obama, but if he chooses Hillary for SOS, then it would be obvious that he is just pandering to the same old powers.

[prudentvoter]

Hillary Clinton strrogly opposed Barack Obama%u2019s objection to the war in Iraq and suported and promoted our illegal invasion of a soverign state.

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, would be a complete contradition of all the values we voted for in the last election.

[questionnews]

guess which fat Jewish a-ss they are both going to kiss?

Posted by thuderstone at 06:39 PM : Nov 17, 2008

John Stewart?

[boandco]

Bill and Hillary are known around the world for their underworld and shady dealing. The Clinton presidency had a history of the white water type real estate scams, firing staff and hiring family members for the travel office, mysterious deaths of key witnesses connected to their dealings, and well published dysfunctional family relationships. In the closing days of their white house they were selling pardons for profits.

After leaving office they have stashed millions in offshore Turks and Caicos bank accounts and continue with their shady dealing. The Clintons have alledged ties to Columbian drug cartels dating to their connection with Arkansas Mena Airport drug trafficing and lobbying for the Columbian government. As chairperson for the India Caucus, Hillary was intrumental in outsourcing millions in US jobs to India. Now she wants to be our Secretary of State?

[tommygun083]

Whatever job they give her, Hillary will always be our Secretary of Sleaze. The Clintons were into sleaze when Paris was just a twinkle in her parents eyes.

[miamiderick]

Bill will have to take lots of cigars with him for his investigation.

[questionnews]

If Hillary is Secretary of Sleaze, then Bill Clinton will have to go to Thailand as under Secretary of Sleaze and investigate the under age bordellos there.

Posted by metsobitso at 05:48 PM : Nov 17, 2008

Hillary wouldn''t allow it. He would never come back.

[greengrasgal]

I''d hate to see Hillary in the national spotlight again, but, maybe she would strike terror in the hearts of the Muslim pigs who treat their womenfolk with such disrespect. Then again, maybe she''d just galvanize their hatred against Christianity and Judaism, both of which elevated the status of women in society, and made it possible for another woman to gain such a position in government.

[metsobitso]

If Hillary is Secretary of Sleaze, then Bill Clinton will have to go to Thailand as under Secretary of Sleaze and investigate the under age bordellos there.

[questionnews]

Hillary Clinton for Secretary of Sleaze.

Posted by metsobitso at 05:07 PM : Nov 17, 2008

If there was a Secretary of Sleaze that would have to go to Paris Hilton. If it wasn''t for her You-Tube video Obama might not be President elect. And besides, who else in the world would be more qualified & has more experience in the field of sleaze that Paris Hilton. It''s the position (he he) she was born for.

[ardiva1]

The Clintons in Obama''s cabinet is NOT a good idea.
Clinton''s are liars and cheaters.Beware!!