Clinton Is a Good Pick

TW: Certainly there has been much angst about Hillary Clinton becoming Sec State. My view is that it is a good choice. She is hyper-talented, well versed in international policy, and few have better contacts worldwide with top decision-makers. The selection reflects well on Obama's own self-confidence in having a strong presence at State and most importantly it speaks to the potential for the State Department to regain some of the prestige and power it has lost over the past 12-15 years.

Bill Clinton did not have particularly strong Sec. of State, quick name them (Warren Christopher and Madelaine Albright). W. Bush famously neutered Colin Powell and Condy Rice for all her talent has been mainly an acolyte overseeing a greatly diminished Presidency.

Into the void has risen the Pentagon which now formulates and implements vast swaths of American foreign policy via the very powerful area commanders such as Petreaus but also the leaders of PacCom and AfriCom. This evolution while subtle and mostly not noticed has been profound. To the extent we can move back toward a foreign policy driven by diplomats the better off we shall likely be. Putting a world renowned power player into the Dept of State will greatly increase the odds of such a shift.

From Economist:
"...the case against the appointment is nevertheless exaggerated. Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton have remarkably few ideological differences: they are both pragmatists who believe in working through diplomacy if possible but in resorting unhesitatingly to force if necessary...

Mrs Clinton will also bring an impressive list of qualities to Foggy Bottom. One is star power. The former first lady and erstwhile presidential candidate will have no trouble attracting attention wherever she goes. Another is knowledge. Mrs Clinton has a unique combination of experience of both America’s soft power and its hard power: as first lady she visited 80 countries, and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, she oversaw the American military machine. And Mrs Clinton will be as well placed as any secretary of state for a generation to make progress in the Middle East: she knows most of the main characters personally, she sees eye to eye with Mr Obama, she can draw on her husband’s legacy and she is nothing if not relentless. Defeat and humiliation only seem to make her stronger—the perfect qualification for dealing with the Middle East.

... The machinery of policymaking has been wrenched out of shape, particularly at the State Department. Sending a big beast like Mrs Clinton over to the State Department is undoubtedly risky. But sending a small beast to do such a big job might be riskier still."
http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12679009