Is Hillary Clinton's star power fading?

Posted By P.J. Aroon Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 5:25 PM Share

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Politico has a provocative article on Secretary Clinton today, "Clinton Toils in the Shadows."

The article states that many assumed Clinton would be the "brightest star" in the U.S. cabinet, but instead, "she has about as low a news-making profile as is possible for someone who is arguably the most famous woman on the planet." (A bar chart accompanying the article shows that media mentions of Clinton have plunged since February.)

One touchy topic has been her delegation of some responsibilities to regional envoys -- Richard Holbrooke for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and George Mitchell for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The article states, "the unprecedented reliance on high-profile envoys … will perhaps be the key to her success or failure."

Some observers think Clinton's use of envoys diminishes the influence of the State Department. "You've got the empire of envoys that she acquiesced in, which sent into motion these little fiefdoms. … The general proposition is that in diplomacy and strategy, all power seems to be flowing away from the State Department," former Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller told Politico.

Meanwhile, Holbrooke told Politico that bringing in high-profile, experienced people such as himself broadens the State Department's reach. "There's a real difference between subcontracting foreign [policy] to people -- which can cannibalize you -- and having strong people who you direct."

Sounds like this use of envoys is really costing Clinton in terms of her image right now. What do you all think? Is Secretary Clinton a "disciplined loyalist" providing "grindstone leadership" as she "toils in the shadows"?

EXPLORE:HILLARY, STATE DEPARTMENT
 

STILL4HILL

8:10 PM ET

June 23, 2009

Smart

Thanks Preeti, for bringing this Politico article to our attention.

We have to remember that the super-envoys were Hillary's idea and that they very much do represent the planned expansion of State and diplomacy outreach in contrast to the Bush years of contraction of State influence and reliance on Pentagon and military confrontation. In the wake of the latter, Hillary certainly realized that one person alone at the helm could not turn this ship around. I think she chose wisely in selecting her envoys, and they are very loyal to her. They do know who the boss is.

For someone who is injured, spent part of Saturday under general anesthesia, and is understandably in a great deal of pain, I think she has been intrepid in fulfilling her duties all these months including the past week. She was working the day she had surgery!

If it appears that she is in the shadows, it is not that her envoys are getting more coverage, they are not! It is simply that MSM does not cover Hillary to anywhere near the extent that they should or her work deserves. Example: The OAS Meetings last month. All the hype was on Obama in Cairo, none on Hillary in Central America. I think this has more to do with a hangover of Clinton Derangement Syndrome among MSM types than with the job she and her State Department are doing.

She is the brightest star! The photo journalists seem to know this. As for the print and oral journalists - they are trying to obscure her on purpose. It won't work, though. Nobody puts Baby in a corner!

 

STACYX

3:12 AM ET

June 24, 2009

Sounds like BS to me!

That article is pure speculation with respect to her perceived diminishing power in the administration. This story seems as though it could have been "planted" by someone with an ulterior motive and Ben Smith's number in their rolodex- think about it- why all of a sudden such a fuss about envoys that get next to zero coverage anyway? They haven't even really done anything yet but people are claiming that because of them, Hillary has diminished her own power and that of the State Dept. in general? Remember during Hillary's interview on ABC's 'This Week', George S. harped on this issue quite a bit.

And just for the sake of argument, even if one thought that having special envoys was a bad idea, isn't it a bit premature to claim that Secretary Clinton, who has a higher approval rating than the President and every other single cabinet member (except Gates perhaps according to some poll I can't recall) is being up-staged and out-maneuvered by envoys most Americans have never heard of?

And have you noticed that Hillary is extremely busy every single day but THAT gets next to no coverage but as soon as some gossip about Hillary's stature/power in the administration's boys club gets leaked out, suddenly the Secretary of State is newsworthy?

And now Hillary has hired her friend and former speechwriter and defender, Sydney Blumenthal, to work with her at the State Dept but according to Laura Rozen at 'The Cable', nobody is actually sure why he's being brought in *now*. While I am glad she's going to have a loyal advocate at State looking out for her, it may be a sign of trouble ahead.

I can't help but wonder if this has anything to do with the transfer of her former Iran point-man, Dennis Ross, being moved over to the White House?

*************
Secretary Clinton Blog

 

HRC2012

12:43 PM ET

June 24, 2009

this website does not promote Hillary

Does anyone else find it disconcerting that this blog, which should be promoting Sec. Clinton, seems to find all of the articles, jokes and other garbage which demeans her?

What exactly is the agenda of the people in charge of this site? I suspect kool aid drinkers.

 

HRC2012

12:43 PM ET

June 24, 2009

this website does not promote Hillary

Does anyone else find it disconcerting that this blog, which should be promoting Sec. Clinton, seems to find all of the articles, jokes and other garbage which demeans her?

What exactly is the agenda of the people in charge of this site? I suspect kool aid drinkers.

 

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