18 million votes... it's that simple.

[Bread and Circus]

By giving Clinton a seat at the big table, so does Obama, in turn, give her supporters a seat at the table.

Reverse it for a minute. Let's say Clinton won. She would have 2 choices.

1.) Send Obama back to the senate to squabble.
2.) Include Obama as a principle in a high profile position.

Now, think how you'd feel in scenario 1.
Now, think how you'd feel in scenario 2.

Which scenario, as an Obama supporter, would leave you with a better feeling?

Obama seeking Clinton out this way is EXACTLY the change you voted for.

Had a lesser candidate won, he/she would have just done what they always do, hand out the plum jobs to sycophants and yes-men.

And as far as policy goes, Obama and Clinton's policies were always 95% identical.

Quit whining.

[secondwind]

1. I will "amen" that.

[LostinVA]

2. OMG -- I'm k&ring one of your threads!!!

[FLAprogressive]

3. I'm glad we're rewarding her with such an important position. Foreign policy experience...pfft....

...all's that matters is that the last few bitter Hillary supporters are appeased.

She probably pushed herself into the running for the position because Obama would HAVE to take her. If he didn't, the bitter Hillary people would be riled up and that their idol was "passed over yet again".

[leftynyc]

29. You must think PE Obama is pretty

fucking weak to say that. If she gets the job, it's because he wanted her to have it and you will simply have to get over it.

[LostinVA]

40. WHY did you vote for someone you think has such a weak character???

[acmavm]

55. Wow! Who sounds bitter now?

[mscuedawg]

4. The voice of reason! Here! Here! K&R

QUIT WHINING!!!!!!

[loyalkydem]

5. Thank you OP for posting this

I'm glad someone did. As much as I was against Clinton in the primaries, its time to let bygons be bygons. We got to do what's best for the country and some people need to let that past stay in the past and turn the page.

If me, a die hard Obama supporter is willing to give her a shot, why can't the rest of you? World leaders know her and she can rally world support around Obama and I like that personally.

[iamahaingttta]

6. I don't understand...

...how being a Senator from New York is anything less than having a "seat at the big table."

[Skwmom]

7. He already had almost all her supporters on board.

He is turning off Democrats, Independents, and Republicans that voted for him.

I thought the purpose was to unite the country? Well, this is a terrible way to do it.

And about those 18 million votes, there were LOTS of Republican spoilers who voted for her.

[catgirl]

13. I agree

Not to mention there are candidates who are better qualified. That's why I have a problem with it.
This would be a consolation prize. We need someone who is experienced in FR, someone who
can be diplomatic...

[shellgame26]

53. just wait

till Bill's ego makes another timely appearance. He doesn't think he should have to be vetted (which may have been a major reason why she wasn't chosen as v.p). As for this made up.. yes I said MADE UP PUMA talk of 18 million votes...whatever!

Richardson or Kerry are far more qualified!

[gristy]

8. You claim that this would give "Clinton supporters a seat at the table"

Well, I got news for you. The vast majority of these Clinton supporters already have a seat at the table, because they support Obama. Sorry you feel left out.

[Bread and Circus]

11. I've been an ardent supporter of Obama since the start.

[LostinVA]

41. THE IRONY!!!!!!

[DevonRex]

45. You're right. That would be the stupidest reason to give ANYBODY

the SoS job.

I happen to think she'd be a good choice. But definitely NOT for the reason in the OP. It's just ridiculous and does nothing but divide us.

Nothing like bringing up the 18 million vote PUMA meme to make everybody go to their respective corners again.

[BootinUp]

63. This sounds like something dubya would say, no joke. nt

[Kerrytravelers]

9. I would hope that people would want Obama to make the best decision, not the popular one.

If it's Hillary, than fine. If it's not, I don't think it's a slap in the face to Hillary supporters. There is a reason for the decision, and it isn't necessary that he share it with us, not is it necessary to us to criticize.

[onenote]

10. A very very high percentage of those 18 million voters supported Obama in the GE

so at this point, they are Obama supporters as much, if not moreso, as they are Clinton supporters.

[TwilightGardener]

12. WTF does this have to do with her foreign policy knowledge, and her ability to manage

a large bureaucracy?

[Bread and Circus]

15. Are you saying she isn't qualified for the job?

[TwilightGardener]

17. Yes.

[Bread and Circus]

22. Obama thinks she is. Given that he knows her better than you, I'm going with him on this one.

[TwilightGardener]

24. Go right ahead. I rejected her as a voter, partly on the basis of her

lack of foreign policy judgment, partly because she doesn't have a good history as manager/executive (like, say, firing all the WH travel staff, or pissing even Democrats off when in charge of the health care fiasco)--if you and Obama see redeeming qualities in her that I don't, then yippee-skippee for you both.

[LostinVA]

42. "firing all the WH travel staff" -- you bring up TRAVELGATE???

:rofl:

[TwilightGardener]

47. Yep. She's not much of a manager, is she? Oh, wait--is she suddenly much more competent now?

[LostinVA]

59. Robert Ray, Barbara Olson, William Safire

[Marrah_G]

51. That says alot doesn't it LiV?

[FLAprogressive]

26. Typical response.

Nope, God forbid anyone questions a potential decision.

[FLAprogressive]

23. Don't know about him but I am.

When you compare her to former UN Ambassador and a person who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for hostage negotiation, Bill Richardson, what has she done???

I have yet to hear a Clintonite tell me or anyone else what experience she has.

[KittyWampus]

33. are you really going to say she's AS QUALIFIED as any number of other experts at foreign policy

and diplomacy?

[FLAprogressive]

34. In HillWorld 2 + 2 = 5. So of course they will. nt

[FormerDittoHead]

46. I, for one, don't need the "HillWorld" hatred.

If you have something to say it about Hillary, say it. What I don't need is your relentless attacks against fellow Democrats and other members of DU who for good reason support her.

Welcome to my ignore filter.

[FLAprogressive]

16. It doesn't -- but apparently the only thing that matters is making the Hillary people happy.

Although nothing short of kissing her feet and crowning her queen can make some of these people happy.

[LostinVA]

43. I really think you need to back off the HRC supporter bashing

[TahitiNut]

14. So, by that logic, McCain's 58 million votes entitles him to ... what?

:eyes:

[Bread and Circus]

18. To work with Obama on landmark legislation to decrease kickback and porkbarrel earmark spending.

Just wait and see on that one.

[TwilightGardener]

21. I guess he's going to have to be SecDef.

[azmouse]

19. If HRC was President-elect she could have done whatever she felt was right.

Obama would not have 'deserved' anything... the way HRC does not 'deserve' anything now.
If Obama feels she is the right person for the job than good for her.

[Tatiana]

20. This is win-win. The NY Senate seat might be filled with a more progressive Dem.

Also, Clinton brings some star power to the Obama cabinet. Let's not forget, she knows how to be a team player. She's been subordinate to Chuck Schumer as the junior Senator from NY. She also campaigned admirably for President-Elect Obama.

I will repeat: Hillary knows how to be a TEAM PLAYER.

Ultimately, President Obama will be the decider. Hillary is there to give Obama a viewpoint and perspective that he may not have. He will need such viewpoints in order to make the best decisions. The current administration is full of a bunch of "yes" men and women. How'd that work out for the country?

Hillary will be fine. She's not Palin and she won't "go rogue." She's a smart, professional and studious person. She'll do a good job and if she's not a good fit, she'll be replaced.

[ErinBerin84]

25. if Obama picks Hillary

it would be because he thought she would be effective as SOS, not because of political capital that she may have, at least, hopefully.

[JVS]

27. 64,000,000

Hell, McCain got like 58,000,000. He gets no seat.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

28. Not To Mention, She'd Be A GREAT Choice! God I Can't Wait For It To Be Announced!

Go Hillary! GOBAMA!!!

[KittyWampus]

30. You, your thread and its sentiments and the people who actually support it are embarrassments

FUCK YOU to anyone calling my assessment of Hillary, her suitability for the job of SoS and the liabilities she AND her husband bring "whining".

[FLAprogressive]

31. I'd K+R that statement if I could! n/t

[JVS]

32. This thread is an abortion Michael, just like our marriage, an unholy thing!

;-)

[Mass]

38. Seconded.

[Bread and Circus]

39. Your post made me laugh. I got a little chuckle out of it.

Cryingshame, I've always liked you and your posts. I'm sorry if this thread is offensive to you.

[Zuiderelle]

77. I got a guffaw out of it myself.

[BootinUp]

49. Such sound reasoning /sarcasm

[JVS]

35. Was it not Hillary herself who made the motion that Obama be nominated by acclamation?

That means that she gave him TOTAL support. Where he is seated, we all are already seated.

It saddens me to see some here demanding a seat at the table when they are already there. It shows that they do not undestand unity.

[DevonRex]

36. Why are you stirring up primary shit here? That's all you're doing. nt

[Mass]

37. Since when is the Senate squabble. Quit whining yourself.

[ieoeja]

44. Given that choice ... I would rather have had Obama in the Senate.

And that 18 million already have a seat. The man they overwhelmingly supported in the general election will be President.

[BootinUp]

48. Such sound reasoning

Is this the DU?

[TexasObserver]

50. Obama is brilliant, and sees that SOS is a natural for Hillary.

Obama's presidency needs him to focus on the economy the first two years. He needs someone at State who can run the show, and carry out his broad strokes. Hillary, and implicitly Bill, bring more gravitas, more impact, than anyone Obama could send around the world to negotiate.

And Hillary is perfect for the kind of tedious, wear them down negotiations that STATE handles.

I'm think she's going to be great at it, and I think Obama knows that.

[ddeclue]

52. She LOST - LOSERS go home...

they don't hang around pretending they won.

No cabinet post for Hillary.

No DLC'ers.

No status quo.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[LostinVA]

61. Didn't both Kerry and Richardson lose???

[TwilightZone]

65. Not to mention Al Gore.

Personally, I'm glad he didn't "go home".

[LostinVA]

68. Yup

[ddeclue]

74. I don't see Al trying to get into Obama's cabinet..

and a lot of people here will dispute that he "lost" in 2000...

Doug D.

[ddeclue]

72. Kerry needs to stay in the Senate..

Richardson isn't looking to get into Obama's cabinet.

next question?

[Life Long Dem]

54. Before it was Obama can't win without Hillary as VP.

Now it's some other bullshit.

[yourguide]

56. 67 Million votes, it's THAT simple. n/t

[EstimatedProphet]

57. But don't you know the clinton supporters lost?

They lost! They don't deserve any representation, or any voice at all!

[Lady-Damai]

58. 20 MILLION DOLLAR DEBT... it's that simple. Hillary would have NEVER won! n/t

[OwnedByFerrets]

60. She would NEVER give BO a high cabinet seat.

Nothing can be said to make me believe different. And NO, I will whine all I wish. Just as you are.

[EFerrari]

62. I think it's the other way around. With Clinton in the Cabinet

he doesn't have to worry about her becoming a locus of power in the Senate -- a la Kennedy during the Carter administration. :shrug:

[SeaLyons]

64. K&R n/t

:kick:

[windbreeze]

66. I'm actually getting kinda sick of hearing

the "18 million votes" meme...The millions of votes Obama received in the GE ARE what gives HIM the right to choose whomever HE WANTS in any position in HIS cabinet. Did someone guarantee any of the rest of the candidates a place in HIS administration, just because they also ran?...it's beginning to become obvious that some our our top pols have very little, or no self respect....wb

[MadBadger]

67. They were already on board...are we reaching for the nutcase PUMAs now?

Cuz they aint coming.

[Splinter Cell]

69. It doesn't fuckin' matter....

She lost. It's that simple. ;-)

[Waiting For Everyman]

70. The election's over.

They do end for a while in between.

[Prophet 451]

71. Two things

1) 18 million votes are utterly irrelevent because she didn't win. It's that simple. This isn't a bargaining game.

2) I'd prefer not to see Hillary as SoS. Not because she'd be bad. On the contrary, she'd probably be very good at it but because I think she'd do more good at Health. Her health plan was one area I thought she was better than Obama. If she ends up as SoS, fine, she'll probably do well but I honestly think she'd do better at Health.

[Jamastiene]

78. You make a good point on the Health care issue. n/t

[Fabio]

73. by this rational

John Kerry deserves to be Secretary of State three times as much as HRC. 18mm votes to 58mm

[Erin Elizabeth]

81. Ha! That's true.

And he's a far better pick, IMO.

[Zuiderelle]

75. Hear Hear. And besides, she's a perfect candidate on her own merits.

[onehandle]

76. Oh noes! Logic.

Wasted on many DUers.

Good post.

[Erin Elizabeth]

79. ....

A) Many of the people who voted for Hillary in the primaries voted for Obama in the general. So how does your logic work there???

B) I'm not a sore loser, so I wouldn't feel Hillary OWED Obama anything.

C) I don't think Obama is some God worthy of being praised on high, so I wouldn't feel Hillary OWED Obama anything.

D) Being a Senator is a VERY important job and he's been a very good Senator. If he had lost the primary and Hillary had won the general, why would I expect anything else other than him continuing as a good Democratic Senator?

E) How would she be "sent back to the Senate?" She's already IN the Senate. A position she worked very hard to get. WTF?

F) Telling people to "quit whining" isn't the best way to get them to understand, much less empathize with your point of view.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

80. I have no problem with a position. I just think the country and the

world need a master for SOS

[Sebastian Doyle]

82. Kyl-Lieberman and "Obliterate Iran"....its that simple

Someone who continues to drink the Likud/PNAC/AIPAC koolaid is NOT a valid choice to represent the US foreign policy.

It has nothing to do with the "18 million vote" myth or any other shoe cult bullshit. She's simply not fit for that job.

[Alexander]

84. Bingo! How are we going to talk to countries our SOS threatened to nuke?

[Alexander]

83. Obama doesn't owe Clinton or her supporters anything.

When will you people get over the fact that he won, she lost, and now he gets to decide his Cabinet?

"Had a lesser candidate won, he/she would have just done what they always do, hand out the plum jobs to sycophants and yes-men."

This isn't 1850. Believe it or not, some presidents choose the most qualified people for the job, not who kissed the most ass.

Just because Bush chose unqualified people for important positions does not mean Obama should.