The Return of Samantha Power...

by Damozel | ...didn't exactly take this erstwhile Clinton supporter by surprise.  Yes, she was forced to resign for calling Hillary a "monster" in The Scotsman while visiting the UK.  Specifically she said, "Clinton "is a monster" and that "she is stooping to anything. . . . The amount of deceit she has put forward is really unattractive.""  (WaPo) Of course, she almost immediately retracted these ill-advised remarks, and issued a blubbering apology.  "In a statement at the time, she said she made "inexcusable remarks that are at marked variance from my oft-stated admiration for Senator Clinton and from the spirit, tenor, and purpose of the Obama campaign."" (WaPo; via memeorandum)

Why would people be surprised, or even skeptical, that these two female politicos have supposedly buried the hatchet?  As Obama remarked during one of the debate, political campaigns are rough.  Many things are said in the heat of trying to seize any advantage.  In other words, what of it?

Power is a Harvard prof and her role in the transition---according to Obama's site--- is "reviewing national security agencies. Her duties, according to the site, will be to "ensure that senior appointees have the information necessary to complete the confirmation process, lead their departments, and begin implementing signature policy initiatives immediately after they are sworn in." (WaPo) 

Steve Benen says:

We're talking about a Pulitzer-prize winning scholar who has spent most of her professional life combating genocide and raising awareness of human rights abuses and global humanitarian issues.

Yes, in March, she said something intemperate. She'd hoped it would be off the record, and when it wasn't, Power apologized immediately and profusely, before resigning a few hours later. But here's the thing to remember: Americans are better off if Power has a role in our government.

The obvious story here is that Power offered a rude comment about Clinton during the heat of the campaign, Clinton is poised become the Secretary of State, and Power will now have a transition role at the State Department. But if I'm not mistaken, this political season is supposed to be about magnanimity and graciousness.

John Cole, who is anything but fond of Hillary, says---after administering a few sharp digs at her, which I am going to ignore---

[T]his whole thing sells both of these women short. Why is it the media thinks that Obama can look over the Hillary slights from the primary, but that Power and Clinton can not work out their differences. These women are both professionals. They are both extremely intelligent and are both accomplished women, and Clinton in particular is a machine who is able to look towards a goal and put everything else aside while working towards that goal. They will work it out, and pretending they won’t is just silliness.

Unlike Cole, I love Hillary and supported her right up to the point that Obama became the nominee.  And---to reframe his remarks that Hillary is a "machine"---I agree completely with him and with Maya Angelou: Hillary has a history of rising above the give and take of political rhetoric to pursue her goals.

Kevin Drum suggests that perhaps Hillary should nominate Power for a position at State.  (MoJo Blog)  In her place, it's what I'd do, if only because it's yet another one in the eye for the same people who eagerly expected her to disrupt the Democratic Convention rather than propose nominating Senator Obama by acclaim.  Of course, the same people will then grumble that she is acting strictly for effect and for the purpose of giving them one in the eye....and again, what of it? 

The press loves tension between women in power---also known as "a good catfight."  I know Hillary knows not to give them one.  If Power didn't always remember this, we can be sure she'll remember it now.

And frankly, as far as I'm concerned, the more smart women we have involved in the running of our government, the better.

Memeorandum has more here.

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Comments

[brt653]

"The President of Change", Barack Hussein Obama, has REALLY repackaged Hillary AND BILL: It's the administration with Affirmative action oat the top of the big zit. You fools that voted this bafoon in took the bait, hook ,line and sinker and now you won't be cut loose. You think Bush was a liar? HA: Not even close compared to this guy, and he isn't even in office yet. At least Bush has balls and sticks to his guns; this guy is a typical lying democrat. You ain't seen NUTTIN yet bro: you think we're in debt now, call me in four years.

[Buck Naked Politics]

Yes, we'll see. I like him; I think he'll do as good a job as anyone could, given the fact that Bush has used up all the money.