A Hillary-Obama rift in the making?
posted at 4:05 pm on July 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Jim Geraghty points out an unusual item from Reuters yesterday, in which the State Department announced that Hillary Clinton would not accompany Barack Obama to Moscow next week. The nation’s chief diplomat will stay home while Obama pursues nuclear reductions with Russia, one of his big diplomatic projects, one in which observers would presume that the Secretary of State would have substantial involvement:
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who broke her right elbow two weeks ago, will not accompany President Barack Obama to Moscow next week, a U.S. official said on Wednesday.
“Secretary Clinton is not going to go to Moscow,” the official told reporters, saying Clinton would name a State Department official to replace her on the Monday-to-Wednesday trip.
The official declined to explain why she would not travel and it was not immediately clear whether it was because of her injury. Clinton tripped and fell in the State Department on June 17 and had surgery two days later on her right elbow.
The administration and the State Department gave no indication that the injury would impede Hillary in her official duties. In fact, she’s slated to travel later this month — but without Obama.
Jim reminds us of the leaks during the Iran crisis that had both Hillary and Joe Biden questioning Obama’s reaction to the eruption of opposition protests. Those leaks didn’t come from Obama’s people, and even at that time raised questions about whether the partnership between Hillary and Obama was beginning to unravel. Jim thinks the timing of this announcement may corroborate those suspicions:
We saw some foreign-policy disagreements during the primary, and now the secretary’s traditional role as the point person on all events, crises, and issues beyond our borders is being hemmed in by various special envoys and czars. Yesterday, the White House announced Vice President Biden would be overseeing progress in Iraq.
Is she tiring of him? Is he tiring of her? Or is this just the usual sand in the gears?
I suspect that she may be tiring of him more than the other way around. As Jim notes, Hillary has options right now; she can run for governor in New York, or she can try another run at the Senate, if she doesn’t mind bumping Gillibrand out of her old seat. Obama has curtailed her reach since she took the job, promoting UN Ambassador Susan Rice to a Cabinet-level position and appointing czars to bypass Hillary in other areas.
Obama needs Hillary more than the other way around, especially as his economic policies start to tank. He needs a strong connection back to the DLC Democrats, which Hillary provides. He also needs a fall person on foreign affairs when things get bad. If there’s a split, it will damage Obama much more than Hillary, and it would set her up for a run at him in a 2012 primary, which may be her goal if Obama falls apart at the midterms.
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And Rush was saying the BHO shipped Bubba Clinton off to Haiti…?
jgapinoy on July 2, 2009 at 4:06 PM
thethatjgapinoy on July 2, 2009 at 4:06 PM
I never thought I’d hear myself wishing out loud that Hilary would have won.
rollthedice on July 2, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Hillary = Calculating (to the MAX)
RalphyBoy on July 2, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Maybe she can be Czarina of Haiti.
JiangxiDad on July 2, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Grasping at straws aye Ed? A run at him in the primary? Please be realistic. Please don’t make up news.
Terry Silver on July 2, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Whatever….I never saw her in this position. Still don’t. Just whatever.
I can’t stand it.
AnninCA on July 2, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Hillary resigns December 2010.
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Hasn’t Hillary brought Blumenthal in at State?
If true, it would be a sign that she is about to wage some sort of war with Team Obama.
Her current role cannot be what she expected it to be.
myrenovations on July 2, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Inevitable.
The Dem coalition is made up of many different competing power groups, who were brought together to get rid of the Devil, George Bush.
Well, W the Devil is now gone… and has been for months. They are waking up to the fact that they have competing wants, and goals.
They have kept it together so far because of the neverending crises they themselves have formented… it keeps the troops in line.
But soon, the only reason for them to stay together will be the old line about Hanging together, or hanging seperatly.
Romeo13 on July 2, 2009 at 4:10 PM
she’s totally unqualified for SecState anyhow.
not that it matters in this admin….
homesickamerican on July 2, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I’m surprised she hasn’t already told him to F off. I do every day.
Monica on July 2, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Hillary is not politically stupid…she sees her as the “fall guy”, there is no upside for her. Plus I think she sees him as an empty suit.
Not the first or the last of the rats running off the sinking ship.
Added to that, she just may not agree with his very naive and foolish foreign policy, what there is of.
right2bright on July 2, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Hillary will never challenge Obama in a primary. If she were that kind of a woman, she’d have challenged the DNC rigging in 2008.
Still, if she’s thinking of moving away from his train wreck and smash his credibility, all the more power to her.
promachus on July 2, 2009 at 4:13 PM
I don’t think Hillary would primary Obama. But she will not hesitate to take him down. She has to know that she is never going to be president.
myrenovations on July 2, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Oo ! Oo!
I hope she quits and runs against him in 2012. Her slogan could be “SITYS”.
I am popping the popcorn and filling the tub to the rim with butter.
Lothar on July 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM
ditto
Wade on July 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM
He put her in his cabinet just so he could keep any eye on her and then he saw to it that she was neutered.
The Clintons have been effectively exiled.
rplat on July 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Sounds like Stalin vs. Trotsky to me.
OhEssYouCowboys on July 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I never understood why Hillary took this position. It was as clear as day to any of us that Obama would be able to neuter her in this role. Meanwhile, she lost her Senate seat when she resigned, and now she has no power in her position as Secretary of State. I am by no means a Hillary supporter, but I am still astonished she let him sucker her into the position of total political impotence.
I think she will find an excuse to resign before the mid term elections next year. She will not want to be part of this train wreck as it begins to crash.
karenhasfreedom on July 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Have faith. I still picture her as floating high up on thermal updrafts, patiently circling, peering down, waiting, waiting for the time to tuck her wings close, head over, and dive like a bullet for the strike. It’s still early on.
a capella on July 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
That appears to be the deciding criteria for the vast majority of the appointments in this administration.
califcon on July 2, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Once you go black, you never go back.
JiangxiDad on July 2, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Hillary Cankles-Clinton is SOS in name only. Bozo had no intentions of having her carry out that role at the same level as Condi Rice did. It was also a shrewd move on Bozo’s part to rain in HCC supporters.
txag92 on July 2, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Please please please oh please….
Would love to see the Clintonistas (all of em) turn on the Obamites. Passive-aggressive fights are always the BEST to watch – from the outside that is (:0)
inviolet on July 2, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Do you have a reading problem…he was talking about possible scenarios, notice the words:
suspect,may,Jim notes,options right now,she can or she can try, would set her, which may be her goal…
I don’t see any “predictions” but a list of possibilities.
You are why the liberals have no respect…you read what isn’t there and make up your own version.
right2bright on July 2, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I’ll throw money in that pool.
sherry on July 2, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Well said.
myrenovations on July 2, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Who gets the ice-axe to the head?
teke184 on July 2, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Who didn’t see this coming????
4Freedom on July 2, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Hillary does a Rocky 2 and takes down Obama in the 2012 primaries?
There`s GONNA be a rematch!
ThePrez on July 2, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Hillary could reeeeally hurt Obama with a well-planned resignation. She could hit him on everything from Foreign Policy to the Economy. I don’t rule anything out because Hillary is an Alinsky follower from WAY back too. Hell, all of the Bill/Hill strategies over the years come STRAIGHT out of Rules for Radicals.
marklmail on July 2, 2009 at 4:20 PM
If I were obama, I wouldn’t drink any tea…..
HornetSting on July 2, 2009 at 4:20 PM
I will take the under on that.
ICBM on July 2, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Since it is obvious that Obama is incapable of the truth, the thought of him negotiating the future of our country with a snake like Putin is nauseating. Since he is Kenyan, it is easier to bring us to our knees rather than elevate the third world to our status.
volsense on July 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM
If she resigns, the book deal will be historic.
sherry on July 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Nixway on using the word arczay in ussiaray.
Blake on July 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Liberals have no respect in this country? HAHA. Yeah right moron. The POTUS is a liberal and the speaker of the house is from San Francisco. Nough said.
Terry Silver on July 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Hillary despises Obama. She’s using him to keep her name current. She will defect when it can do the maximum damage. He dared to take down a woman en route to the top. She’ll eviscerate him, and win the black vote when she runs again.
JiangxiDad on July 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM
I think Hillary is going to be a good soldier for only a little while longer, now that this story is beginning to get noticed. Cheney was on Greta last night tactfully talking about how Hillary’s getting hemmed in on all sides. The only noticeable thing about her any more is her absence from all matters related to foreign policy.
I say that she’s ready to jump ship just as it’s beginning to crack in half. She doesn’t want too much Obama stench on her.
BuckeyeSam on July 2, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Knowing the Clintons, she’ll run unopposed against Biden…if you get my drift, champ.
HornetSting on July 2, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Hillary does a Rocky 2 and takes down Obama in the 2012 primaries?
There`s GONNA be a rematch!
ThePrez on July 2, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I’d love to see them tear eachother apart. No chance of either of them winning, though, because of the collision course we are on (unemployment, porkulous, cap & tax, etc).
txag92 on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Two words.
Sidney. Blumenthal.
Sinking Ship.
elduende on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Maybe Hillary brought Blumy in to counter whatever the Chicago team is up to. Maybe she has a whiff of what they are planning on doing to her.
Sue on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Yeah, you’re right, there is a serious problem with our education system and a lot of ignorant people voted this past year….and San Fran, ignorance is put in the water.
HornetSting on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Dang! You are thinking there’s going to be some good number of fights coming soon and often. Billy’s role will be interesting if the under comes true.
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Don’t get so excited. Shrillary is just finally showing the proper level of humiliation for that idiotic ‘reset/overcharged’ nuke button she gave Lavrov, in one of the most embarrassing diplomatic ideas in all of recorded history. Any normal person would have resigned after that moronic fiasco and never be seen in public again.
progressoverpeace on July 2, 2009 at 4:23 PM
she’s still recovering from elbow surgery. i still wonder if she fell because her pants were around her ankles like her hubby in florida when he fell and hurt his knee.
rjoco1 on July 2, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Hellary
Obarfio
steel caged death match
and jello body shots
blatantblue on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Hillary resigns December 2010.
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:09 PM
I want them to get down and dirty in public until they are both toast.
fourdeucer on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Hillary resigns December 2010.
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Infamous Michelle Obama “Whitey tape’ surfaces from unknown sources December 2011.
max1 on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
If she resigns, the book deal will be historic.
sherry on July 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM
As I’ve said before, someone will win a Pulitzer by writing the real story of Bozo. I’m talking digging up all of the dirt.
txag92 on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
During the Bush years, I remember story after story in the media kevetching about how Bush reined in the wise, steady hands of Colin Powell and Condi Rice when it came to foreign policy.
No such complaints from the media when it comes to The One and his foreign policy…
ExUrbanKevin on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Obama to be “Fosterized”?
Jeff from WI on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
I’m sure it’s not a revelation, but I really, really loved Hillary. She was my “Palin.”
But it’s over.
She’s not going to do anything. I can’t stand her in this position.
I can’t stand the entire story. It makes my stomach flip.
But that’s my problem.
She lost. She’s also responsible.
but it’s honestly very hard to watch him treat her this way.
From day 1, I couldn’t believe she said yes to this.
AnninCA on July 2, 2009 at 4:26 PM
If that’s jello shots off of Hillary’s body, I’m out!
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:26 PM
I love how conservatives can’t go 5 min without insulting the intelligence of the American people. Yep, everybody is retarded but you.
Terry Silver on July 2, 2009 at 4:26 PM
She can’t afford to wait that long because by then the Obamatanic will probably have hit the iceberg and be listing severely, and she will be seen as simply an opportunist, which of course the is, but an extremely calculating one.
No, she has to bail in early 2010 at the latest, so maybe she can say she “gave it a year”, but decided to seek other opportunities. But the ship may already have hit the iceberg by then… it is already sailing at high speed through ice-choked waters!
Obama must be pretty stupid not to understand that he needs mainstream Democrat accomplices he can share the blame with should anything (more) go wrong. A US President convinced he is infallible and irresistable… what could possibly go wrong!?
drunyan8315 on July 2, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Question is, from your description, is she a Falcon? or a Buzzard?
Romeo13 on July 2, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Title: It Takes a Village Idiot: How Obama Screwed Me and the Country.
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:28 PM
and jello body shots
blatantblue on July 2, 2009 at 4:25 PM
If that’s jello shots off of Hillary’s body, I’m out!
WashJeff on July 2, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Where’s the bleach?
txag92 on July 2, 2009 at 4:28 PM
He wouldn’t let her go because she refused to wear a blue dress. Simple.
Changucopia on July 2, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Hillary is not relevant politically. She raised a ton of issues.
That’s her contribution.
But her, personally?
Not even me, HUGE fan, is about to go there.
Her run is over. She lost.
AnninCA on July 2, 2009 at 4:29 PM
This is the main reason Barry wants to keep her around. The One does not make mistakes. Not so much for others. You’ll notice that Sheriff Joe is IN CHARGE of the recovery. So if it goes pfffft!, Barry won’t be at fault. This is just another excuse for Barry to jet off in Air Force One and have another media circus. Just hope no other major celebrity dies while he’s there.
GarandFan on July 2, 2009 at 4:29 PM
No, just proof that Bambi traveled on an Indonesian Passport to Pakistan…
Could it be that Hillary saw what the economy was doing, and didn’t want the Presidency right then?
/puts on his tinfoil hat
Romeo13 on July 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
No sugar buttons, just you.
HornetSting on July 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
She’s afraid that he’ll trip her again.
baldilocks on July 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Obama is an idiot. I think that is now dawning on a lot more people. Sometimes people are blinded by what they would wish something to be. What impresses me from the Rasmussen numbers isn’t the change in “strongly disapprove” so much as the rapid recent erosion in “strongly approve” numbers. Still, some 46% still give Obama high marks in handling the economy … which says they are still polling a high percentage of morons.
crosspatch on July 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
You have to take into account the fact that Shrillary is an incompetent moron with no skills at all.
progressoverpeace on July 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
BB, you’re gonna have to stop doing this. It was enough with all the lotion and titty twisting you were doing with Helen last night.
HornetSting on July 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
I don’t see anyone able to knock him out right now. I want to. Maybe I’m overly cynical. But, the liberal Socialist Dem machine that walked all over Hill & Bill during the election is STILL taken with Obama. There is not a Dem contender to take him on as of yet that will win.
And the conservative alternatives are too divided. I just don’t see today how we have a chance in 2012. I am just focused on 2010, and TRYING to stop the bleeding now (like Cap & Trade, Obama wanting to ratify the UN treaty on the Rights of a Child, Obamacare, & let’s not forget the next G8 where we may lose much fiscal sovereignty, etc) and having a successful Tea Party on the 5th (in my town).
Minorcan Maven on July 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Yes Hillary! I hope she walks, hand in the resignaiton now,. He has been totally WEAK on Iran and Honduras he is not taking her advice, he is not keeping her in the loop.
It was great to get her out of the Senate so she didnt have to be stuck with the awful deficit surging spending binge from Hell the Dems are on, but since TOTUS is such an EPIC fail at foreign policy, and since nitwits like Susan Rice are in charge and it sems Jim Jones and Hillary are sidelined, I think she should resign.
We coulda had a contender..we got the selected not elected DEM candidate. We moderates wanted Hill. She was a moderate on the economy and as NY Senator knew the American economy is dependent upon the consumer on Main St AND Wall St capital. She would not have put us where we are, since the cabal of morons in DC selected TOTUS, I now hope Hill goes off to retire and sip Pina Coladas with Chelsea…
ginaswo on July 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Sets up an interesting match up between Blumenthal and Rahm, doesn’t it? Or, will Rahm hand it off to one of his media buds in this daily conference with them? For that matter, which way would Carville and George S. jump? So many tantalizing possibilities.
a capella on July 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Not that Hillary would have helped much, but does anyone else get the feeling that Obama is about to get schooled by Putin?
JohnInCA on July 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM
You don’t think Billy wants her around, do you?
Jeff from WI on July 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Clinton tripped and fell in the State Department on June 17 and had surgery two days later on her right elbow.
Damn workman’s comp won’t let her leave the country.
milwife88 on July 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM
And when we have State-run “health care,” I wonder how long it will take for us to have the same surgery, under the same scenario?
OhEssYouCowboys on July 2, 2009 at 4:35 PM
You know he can’t help himself…
ladyingray on July 2, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Obama will give away the store. Is there really any doubt about that, at this point?
capitalist piglet on July 2, 2009 at 4:36 PM
You know, I don’t recall hearing anything about Obammy’s Pakistan holiday before the election.
Who the hell “holidays” in Pakistan? Other than John Walker Lindh?
Given their vaunted reputation for dirty politics and digging up dirt, the Clintons did a miserable job against BHO. They totally missed Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, the Muslim connection.
Let’s hope they’ve done a little more homework in the meantime.
guntotinglibertarian on July 2, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Mmmm, yes, please! I wonder if Obama will bring him an iPod loaded with his tasty speeches.
califcon on July 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I’ll take the under, too. She walks sometime between Osirak II (which I expect on or around Yom Kippur) and the midterms. The PUMAs will then have their vengeance.
Kid from Brooklyn on July 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I was right there with you until the black vote part. How’s she gonna pull that off?
Keyser-Soze on July 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Two days after?
ObamaCare wouldn’t allow for that. Maybe that’s how he’ll get back at her for all the nasty tricks she pulled during the campaign!
We’re not far from a place where we can just kick back and watch it implode.
HOPE!
DrewbieDoo on July 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Sherry
June 2010
put your money on it
blatantblue on July 2, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Maybe Obama and Hillary should meet in private to discuss the situation. Maybe someplace like Fort Marcy Park.
MikeA on July 2, 2009 at 4:38 PM
The problem is Emanuel can’t shoot back even obliquely or it really hits the fan. The Obama partisans have a cancer in thier midsts, until she walks. Dollars to doughnuts this is about Israel policy and the implosion of support that’s careening at the Dems like a locomotive.
elduende on July 2, 2009 at 4:39 PM
You don’t remember Shrillary’s great, condescending, faux-black accent she’d pull out during the campaign? It was one of her greatest talents .. though she royally sucked at it.
progressoverpeace on July 2, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Oh Sweet Lord!! Please dear Lord in heaven, let this happen!! And please let bubba waddle in ASAP! A few quotes here and there to get the dance started! Please oh please let it happen!!!
WhatsRight on July 2, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Um…being married to a Russian and having spent a lot of time around Russians, I can tell you that they are the most unabashed racists on the planet.
Barry’s charm isn’t going anywhere with Putin, who will do that tight little, menacing smile of his, while a thought bubble over his head says, “Sambo”
guntotinglibertarian on July 2, 2009 at 4:40 PM
progressoverpeace on July 2, 2009 at 4:40 PM
I aaaiiinttt in nooo ways taaaaiiiiiiirrrreeeeddd
blatantblue on July 2, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Good God man!
*shudder*
Fallen Sparrow on July 2, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Gore did the black accent thing, too. As I recall, the black church audience was…underwhelmed. Even the dim sometimes know when they’re being patronized.
guntotinglibertarian on July 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I’m a year ahead of you on that
jp on July 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
This is the change I’ve been waiting for.
faraway on July 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
That was it!
(P.S. sorry about the harsh words, yesterday)
progressoverpeace on July 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Ha! That’s true. And Bill was the first black president. OK, maybe she could pull it off.
Keyser-Soze on July 2, 2009 at 4:43 PM
That explains Gazprom’s choice for the name of their new cooperative endeavor in Nigeria then…
teke184 on July 2, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Go on, go on….
guntotinglibertarian on July 2, 2009 at 4:44 PM
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