If you can, watch Senator Clinton introduce Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern and listen to Mr. Stern's comments. If you cannot watch and listen, read the remarks. This is the third special envoy appointed to the State Department I count in the past four days, and in some ways the most telling one. To have an envoy on climate change in itself is remarkable, a real turn around from the Bush administration's see no science, hear no science, make no science approach. To place this envoy within State is scientifically, diplomatically, and politically insightful. Climate and climate change does not respect national boundaries (scientific fact), but nations must work together to care for the climate and address climate change (diplomatic reality). But putting this envoy under Secretary Clinton's auspices suggests an emerging political phenomenon: a real partnership between President Obama and Secretary Clinton. Adopting a scientific and pragmatic approach to climate change was something both Obama and Clinton campaigned on. But there are various departments within the executive branch where a high level special position dedicated to the position could be created. Casting the position as a State Department Special Envoy shows real smarts, presumably attributable to both the President and the Secretary of State (and their advisers). It takes advantage of the double world-world wattage (green-powered) of these two remarkable politicians. It suggests a degree of trust between the President and Secretary of State: he is confident enough to give her control over nontraditional terrain for the State Department; she is confident enough that she's not worried about being scapegoated with unaddressable problems. Pay close attention to this passage from Stern's acceptance remarks:
"I deeply appreciate the confidence that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have shown me. And I am excited by the opportunity to work for two such inspiring leaders who recognize the enormity of this problem and are deeply committed to solving it. And I – let me also say that 12 years ago, I worked for two other great and inspiring leaders, Bill Clinton and Al Gore, and it was a great privilege for me to do that. And it’s a great privilege for me now to work – be able to work for President Obama and Secretary Clinton.
People may have forgotten this, but especially during President Bill Clinton's first term, he had a unique relationship with Vice-President Gore, giving Gore control over a number of projects and issues of major importance, and in which Gore had relevant expertise. In that partnership, President Clinton took more of the initiative on external and international affairs and Vice-President Gore led the way on some prominent internal reforms. What was unusual, though, was the the genuine cooperation that marked the pair's working relationship.
I find it notable that Stern invokes working for the Bill Clinton-Al Gore pair as he undertakes working for the Barack Obama-Hillary Rodham Clinton one. Whichever of these politicians appeals more to you ( to some, Obama appeals not at all; to others, Hillary Rodham Clinton does not), both are now serving in two of the highest offices in the land. The land is mighty troubled right now. If these early signs bode well for a productive partnership of historic proportions, this bodes well for us all.
To come: some posts on relationships between Presidents and Secretaries of State past.
Thank you Heidi. As usual, your analysis is insightful. If we truly have a working team that support one another in the diplomatic arena there is a chance that the US will contribute to solving a few of the world's problems we now encounter.
Let us hope that the Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank begin to have a team effort as well. They also need the brightest and the best to help define and understand the interconnections of nations in the flow of financial instruments. We can no longer afford to operate the financials markets with 20th century models anymore than we can operate the State Department as an arm of the Department of Defense.
Posted by: kavala007 | January 26, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I have had the feeling that the Clinton team negotiated most successfully with Obama for power. She, in fact, may be his saving grace. She knows how to rise above pain, that is for certain. I personally still cannot support him because of his dastardly abuse of American women to achieve his own power. I don't think we can overlook that because his bad behavior is seeping through our culture and will hurt many women and their families for years to come. I do recall in an old study, however, that God can use evil for good. Nevertheless, may we all somehow benefit from this emerging "partnership."
Posted by: Alwaysthinking | January 27, 2009 at 11:08 AM
These are positive signs indeed; thanking you Heidi for pointing them out. In the end, it doesn't really matter whether we like someone or not, as long as things get done for the better in an effective and creative way. Maybe some of our doubts will be dispelled, especially if Hillarys influence keeps on allowing bold steps. Nevertheless, the way Obama got to where he is remains to be a very disturbing phenomenon to me.
Posted by: Mirlo | January 27, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Given the hatred for the Clinton's by both Left and Right, being Obama's SOS was the only way Hillary Clinton would be, at least, co-POTUS. It's very, very clever....That's our girl
Posted by: Annie | January 27, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Thank you Heidi Li for this analysis of the potential relationship between Clinton and Obama. While I watch the magicians other hand, I remain open to positive outcomes however they can be achieved.
Posted by: purplefinn | January 27, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Does anyone know anything about NoLimits.org and/or Ann Lewis?
Posted by: chatblu | January 28, 2009 at 02:50 PM