Brit Hume: What exactly makes Hillary a “great” secretary of state?
HUME: I think those examples you cited would add up to a case for her competence. They do not add up to a case for greatness, after all, the groundwork on Burma had been done by the previous administration. And the administration properly followed through on it. You look across the world, now at the major issues. Are Arabs and Israelis closer to peace? How about Iran and North Korea and their nuclear programs? Have they been halted or seriously set back? Has the reset with Russia, which she so famously introduced with the photo-op in Moscow with the reset button, has they lead to a new and more cooperative relationship? Is there a Clinton doctrine that we can identify that she has articulated and formed as secretary of state? Are there major treaties that she has undertaken and negotiated through to a successful conclusion? I think the answer to all those questions is that she has not. And those are the kinds of things that might mark her as a great secretary of state.
She has certainly been industrious. She has visited 112 countries. Her conduct as secretary of state has been highly dignified. She does her homework. There have been no gaffes or blunders. So I think she has been a capable and hard working secretary of state, but I think the case for her being a great secretary of state is exceedingly weak.
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That’s what I keep wondering.
Bitter Clinger on January 28, 2013 at 11:47 AM
She can dodge sniper fire AND keep working even with recurring flare-ups of goiter; that’s a formula for success in my book.
Bishop on January 28, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Not until “What difference does it make?”.
Bitter Clinger on January 28, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Who is Ben Gazi?
sauldalinsky on January 28, 2013 at 11:50 AM
She is a democrat.
portlandon on January 28, 2013 at 11:51 AM
It all depends on what your definition of WHAT is.
Pork-Chop on January 28, 2013 at 11:51 AM
State Run Media says so.
forest on January 28, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Beautiful question from Hume.
thebrokenrattle on January 28, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Because her name is Hillary? Clinton? It’s because the stupid MSM says so probably…
major dad on January 28, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Because shut up.
Good Lt on January 28, 2013 at 11:54 AM
I think Hillary will go down as one of the finest secretary of states we’ve had. — not Einstein
redzap on January 28, 2013 at 11:54 AM
I would suggest that she be awarded the Neville Chamberlain award along with President Obama.
SC.Charlie on January 28, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Because she is wearing Henry Kissinger’s glasses.
portlandon on January 28, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Her last name?
Gatsu on January 28, 2013 at 11:59 AM
1) HUGE Hips
2) LYING Lips
3) DRUNKEN Slips
… and …
4) BLOOD Clots
Pork-Chop on January 28, 2013 at 12:01 PM
So, she hasn’t accomplished anything but she hasn’t completely embarrassed herself either. Uhhhh, I’m not sure that even rises up to the level of “competent”. She’s just a ticket puncher.
tommyboy on January 28, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Because she graciously allowed Obama to win the presidency. Duh. /
nobar on January 28, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Telling the world that Britain ought to negotiate with Argentina over the Falklands = horrible blunder.
itsnotaboutme on January 28, 2013 at 12:10 PM
If “sucks” was the root for success then yes, she would be a great success.
Flange on January 28, 2013 at 12:11 PM
It’s the pantsuit.
John the Libertarian on January 28, 2013 at 12:11 PM
She spent 4 years on an airplane, partying at the expense of the American People. Instead of managing the affairs of state, like consulate security for instance.
Maybe she would have done something meaningful if she operated in an efficient manner by spending 4 weeks in DC with her team and 2 weeks on the road, (lather, rinse, repeat) you know, like thinking, scenario building, planning and having a real reason for your business trips.
Oh yeah, she’s a democrap, no thinking allowed
phreshone on January 28, 2013 at 12:13 PM
I think it has something to do with the fact that the media won’t even contemplate the fact that she’s anything other than a great secretary of state.
bannor on January 28, 2013 at 12:25 PM
The same thing that makes BO’s “Arab Spring” a success.
The same thing that makes Moochelle a fashion dish.
The same thing that makes global warming a threat to national security.
The same thing that makes guns the cause of mass murders.
petefrt on January 28, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Hillary pushed for that malign response to Honduras. She also was an active promoter of the Libyan adventure, which further de-stabilized North Africa. FAIL.
onlineanalyst on January 28, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Hillary treated State as if it were a Chamber of Commerce stint.
onlineanalyst on January 28, 2013 at 12:54 PM
I don’t know anyone that can consume that amount of alcohol day after day and not have a habit of falling down…wait
trs on January 28, 2013 at 12:55 PM
The answer to most questions nowadays…
Fallon on January 28, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Still offering the coveted A+++++ grade to someone who can tell me what “qualified” her to be the Junior Senator of a state she had never lived in. But I’ve been asking that question for over a dozen years now, and no Democrat has ever been able to answer it, much less tell us what her “qualifications” were for this job, much less to be President.
And while we’re at it, can one of our resident Hillary fans ‘splain to us why over 1/10 of the US Senate were racists and refused to vote in favor of Condi Rice’s nomination for the very same job? None of those nay votes came from Republicans, but 3 of them came from Democrat Senior Statesmen at the time, former KKK member Bobby Byrd, The Massachusetts Swimmer, and Akaka from HI.
And Hillary’s proposed SOS “replacement” (why the Long Face, John?) also refused to confirm the first African-American Secretary of State. Shameful!
Del Dolemonte on January 28, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Obama Jokes About Four-Dead Americans In Benghazi. Ditz Clinton laughs.
Hume is too kind.
Basilsbest on January 28, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Wasn’t there an issue with the translation of the reset button?
And I’m pretty sure if there were an “R” after her name, Bengazi would be considered a huge blunder.
hopeful on January 28, 2013 at 1:44 PM
There have been no gaffes or blunders if you don’t count Benghazi.
There, FIFY!
jaydee_007 on January 28, 2013 at 1:48 PM
1. Liberal
2. Democrat
3. Marxist
4. Female – A Liberal/Democrat/Marxist one.
5. Clinton
There 5 reasons right off the top of my head. What else does she need?
Heck, she’s a role model for every young girl and boy.
Dr. Frank Enstine on January 28, 2013 at 1:59 PM
The embassy in Cairo just closed. Tahrir square looks just like it did when Mubarek was ousted.
MayBee on January 28, 2013 at 2:12 PM
What the hell was Benghazi? Oh, that’s right, it was just “sloppy” as per Obama.
ButterflyDragon on January 28, 2013 at 2:25 PM