Bill Clinton Meets With Putin?
Bill Clinton's latest title is husband of America's new secretary of state, but that has not stopped him from flexing his own diplomatic muscles while in Davos this week. The New York Observer's Joe Conason reports that Bill's moves at the World Economic Forum -- including a long talk with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin -- reveal that the former president will "continue to be an active figure on the international stage."
While former President Bill Clinton speaks highly of President Obama, this forum is exactly why I didn't want Senator Hillary Clinton to be given the Secretary of State position. President Obama runs the risk of having Bill Clinton out there making promises, deals and statements that could create problems for us.
We should only have one Sec of State at a time.
And for all we know he was delivering a message from the SoS. I'll get upset over this when somebody tells me he was freelancing.
January 30, 2009 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, jsfox. This is a nonissue.
January 30, 2009 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
My question is if he's delivering a message that was approved by OBAMA. If this is the result of pillow talk between Bill and Hillary, I have to agree with Coonsey.
I'm not saying that's what happened. But policy should be set by the administration.
January 30, 2009 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, the assumption that him stretching his diplomatic skills is a bad thing...well, who's to say it won't help? I'm all for all hands on deck, if they're capable people.
January 30, 2009 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
It seems like Bill stretching his skills had some seriously random results during the campaign - causing much disarray in Hillary's camp. I'm not sure I'd endorse similar results in our foreign policy.
I agree all hands on deck. But if someone is dropping an anchor while the captain is trying to go full-steam ahead - I don't see it as helpful.
I have no idea of the backstory here, so I'm not necessarily giving an opinion on Clinton's actions in this instance. But we sure as hell don't need a loose canon.
January 30, 2009 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill and Vladimir have a lot in common.
January 30, 2009 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink