Obama leaving Clinton behind on travels?

Posted By P.J. Aroon Friday, July 10, 2009 - 3:12 PM Share

Barack Obama, June 11, 2009 | MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images 

Obama is in Ghana today -- without Clinton. In his first foreign trip as president, he went to Canada -- without Clinton. In April, he went to Turkey -- without Clinton. That same month, he went to Mexico -- without Clinton. Last month, he visited Saudi Arabia, Germany, and France -- without Clinton. 

When it comes to foreign trips, President Obama is "making a habit" of not taking Secretary Clinton along, asserts an Asian News International article ahead of Clinton's trip to India next week. The article says that "according to Fox News," it's customary for the secretary of state to accompany the U.S. president when he travels overseas. Apparently, however, Obama has spent far more time traveling without his secretary of state than George W. Bush and Bill Clinton did at the same points in their four terms.

In all fairness, Clinton's broken elbow kept her from traveling to Russia with Obama. But, could there be other factors at play? The article cites analysts who say Obama might be concerned that his former rival's "star power" could turn the spotlight away from him. It also quotes an unnamed high-level State Department official from the Bush administration as saying, "It seems that (Clinton has) had a bit lower profile over the past couple months as opposed to when she entered office." He also said Clinton began her job with the "widest public recognition" of any secretary of state, but has since faded into the shadows.

Perhaps Obama just has a different style when it comes to traveling overseas (he's all about "change," isn't he?). Plus, Clinton has taken her own solo trips (such as when she went to China and Haiti, for example).

But it's hard to ignore all the talk that Clinton is "in the shadows." Conservative commentator William Kristol recently wrote, "Hillary Clinton -- remember her? Barack Obama's increasingly marginalized secretary of state … ."

I guess all this talk is part of the reason why Clinton's giving her major foreign-policy speech next week.

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

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PONDSKIPPER

11:17 PM ET

July 10, 2009

Obama leaving Clinton behind on travels

Lol Preeti, loved the aside mentioning Clinton's broken elbow.IMO it just might be a major reason for her recent absences. Personally I would think very poorly of Obama if he dragged an injured SOS around the world just because well you know Presidents always take their SOSs along.I can understand why George W Bush needed his hand holding but Obama seems a litle more able to be let out on his own. As for those claiming Clinton is 'in the shadows' they all seem suspiciously right wing. Hmmmm Republican talking points to make trouble do you think, just maybe. I think Clinton is making the speech because she's done the thinking and is ready to make it and Republican mischief making will have no affect on her at all.

 

SAKEL

12:54 AM ET

July 11, 2009

Celebrity-Prez is busy with his new Vietnam, & Hillary-allergy.

Gosh, leave poor Barracks alone! Why, the man is clearly busy with his important schedule meeting important people in important countries. Why on earth would The Great Hopeful One want to share the limelight with someone whom he had such a difficult time pushing off the ring? Clinton, after all, may have been the strongest candidate but she lacked teleprompter charm and nuanced flip-flopping dexterity... Much safer for sweetie to travel alone with his teleprompter and adoring crowds of sycophants and fan club--except in Moscow where the yawns were the order of the day. And why roll up his delicate sleeves and go to work at the White House anyway? He'd rather have everyone eat cake instead.

Spending $700B on his new Vietnam War in Pakistan/Afghanistan doesn't leave much money for the Healthcare initiative, does it? Rental of the Pakistani army at a cost of $1.5B daily to taxpayers to kill and injure and create 3 million refugees (as he has to date!)while he does his global tripping is sooo much more presidential! Fiddling while the New Rome burns....

 

HRC2012

2:09 PM ET

July 11, 2009

what is it with the

what is it with the moderators of this blog that you insist on repeating this dribble from Fox News and friends? Are you trying to marginalize Hillary yourself?

How about more blogs about the great job she is doing; the hugely increased job happiness and respect that State employees have for her, as opposed to previous SOS; her role in making progress in foreign policy agreements, etc....

Is there not enough good news for you that you have to repeat garbage from right wingers?

 

ERNESTINE

8:08 PM ET

July 11, 2009

good point

Good point there are many articles about her work trying to get the reporters out of N. Korea, the expo in china, and I hope many other things after her trip to india next week.

 

STILL4HILL

8:34 PM ET

July 11, 2009

When it comes to foreign

When it comes to foreign trips, President Obama is "making a habit" of not taking Secretary Clinton along, asserts an Asian News International article ahead of Clinton's trip to India next week.

Ummmm When else? You mean his Cairo trip? She was in El Salvador and Honduras for an OAS conference (a region that needs a little attention right now) Ultimately, she left the conference early to fly to Cairo for his speech?

In all fairness, Clinton's broken elbow kept her from traveling to Russia with Obama. But, could there be other factors at play? The article cites analysts who say Obama might be concerned that his former rival's "star power" could turn the spotlight away from him.

No - it was only the shattered elbow that, if you ask me, is getting precious little attention in its role here.

 

STACYX

4:57 AM ET

July 12, 2009

Nonsense. Period.

There is a reason Fox News and others are pushing these ridiculous stories based on sources "speaking on condition of anonymity"- they are trying to create the perception of a rift or that Secretary Clinton somehow has no power when it comes to foreign policy and quite frankly, it's wrong to make Clinton and her staff have to waste their valuable time rebutting this nonsense.

Faux News has simply regurgitated [literally] the Ben Smith Politico story which was then regurgitated [lamely I might add] by the National Review Online which was then regurgitated [even lamer still] by US News and World Report, yadda yadda yadda.

The fact is, Hillary has physical therapy at least 6 times a week right now and she's better off skipping a foreign trip with the POTUS as opposed to a trip where she was to be the sole and highest ranking representative of the US govt- ie. her upcoming trip to India and parts of Asia. The other fact is, Secretary Clinton has been working her a** off almost every single day since her surgery [except the first few days after] but has the media covered it? Of course not.

This is a manufactured story which seeks to undermine Hillary's effectiveness.

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Secretary Clinton Blog

 

ANNE

5:02 AM ET

July 12, 2009

Sleezy newt gingrich type

Sleezy newt gingrich type shit.

 

HRC2012

1:20 PM ET

July 12, 2009

nonsense. period

Exactly. Which gets back to my question - why is this blog, which should be supportive of Secy. Clinton - constantly repeating this type of garbage? Can't we have moderators who are Clinton supporters, instead of Clinton detractors?????

 

ROSEANN

3:47 PM ET

July 12, 2009

As a daily devotee of the

As a daily devotee of the Madame Secretary blog, and one especially admiring of Hillary Clinton, I am sensitive to Preeti's challenge in presenting a blend of light, serious, approving and critical reports on Secretary Clinton. For some, who were concerned that the blog was going to be totally eliminated a few months ago,let's recognize that the ability to have this blog as a source for Hillary-centric topics on a foreign policy orientated publication is the most valuable element.

Right wing memes that diminish and/or distort Hillary Clinton need to be recognized and refuted. Preeti does this in bringing such articles to our attention and allowing us to comment critically.

 

ANNE

10:20 PM ET

July 12, 2009

The memes that she puts forth

The memes that she puts forth tend to usually be the jists of the articles though. The standard here is "look at this put down of Hilary Clinton! And look at this one! The end". And it's often even less subtle than that.

 

Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.