Team of Rivals

“Hillary, I look forward to you advising me”
- Barack Obama in an early Democratic Presidential debate

When Obama made his comment on getting advice from Hillary everyone laughed, because no one thought he would win, and if he did, that he would offer anything to Clinton. Even more farfetched was the concept that she would accept. Lost in the laughter was his follow-up comment “I wanna gather up talent from everywhere.” This comment went almost unnoticed.

That was then, this is now.

Obama’s reported nomination of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State is an inspired choice of a confident President who places competence over political payoff and personal connection

Looking back, this statement says a lot about Obama. He told us he was going to gather up talent from all around and he has done just that. In addition to picking Clinton for State he is also getting advice from Brent Scowcroft, one of Bush 41’s major foreign policy advisors. It is a sign that he intends to follow through on his vision for what he wants to accomplish as President.

Choosing Clinton shows a man confident in his opinions and abilities, as well as one who understands his weaknesses. The world is a complex place and Clinton has “walk-in” rights and relationships with most of the major world leaders. Obama doesn’t and he understands that there is not enough time for him to establish those relationships. With Hillary at the State Department Obama can hit the diplomatic ground running.

Will she support him?

Of course she will. She understands that her future is linked to his success. If she is seen to cause Obama to fail or appears to undercut him for her own gain, her future in the party is done. However, if she is seen as a key to a successful Obama administration she still has a chance to run for President if she chooses. She will only be 69 in 2016. In the meantime she has an opportunity to operate on the world stage that she wouldn’t have if she stays in the Senate.

The 2016 Presidential race will be like 2008; neither the incumbent nor the Vice President will be running. Secretary of State is an excellent place for Clinton to position herself for that race if she chooses.