Clinton and Obama -How Long will it Last?

America�s First Lady is back. Barack Obama chose Hillary Rodham Clinton, the woman who was his most serious competition for the nomination, as his Secretary of State. The same woman who during the primary campaign publicly called out, �Shame on you, Barack Obama!�

Hillary Clinton stands for smart tactics, an iron will and hunger for power. She is quick-witted, educated, industrious, intellectual and solution-oriented. She has a measure of international experience that Obama entirely lacks. During the primary campaign she scoffed, �”My opponent offers speeches, I offer solutions,” or, “Now voters will judge whether living in a foreign country at the age of 10 prepares one to face the big, complex international challenges the next President will face.�

What will happen to their friendship?

Hillary Clinton has always been more plain-spoken than Obama: “Speeches don’t put food on the table,� she said of him.

She wants a militarily strong America to be world leader. He would rather try quiet diplomacy � even negotiate with dictators.

She�s not in favor of a rapid departure from Iraq. He promised Americans the withdrawal of all troops from Baghdad within 16 months.

Can she play a subordinate role to Obama?

Yes/ No/ Maybe. While she displayed magnanimity and deferred to Obama in her primary loss, she�s not one to allow herself to be marginalized. Confrontations with Vice-President Joe Biden are therefore pre-programmed. Biden was previously the Democrats� leading foreign affairs expert. He�s an absolute loyalist, picked as Obama�s running mate because of that. Now he will have to deal with Hillary Clinton�s self-assured presence – dynamite for Obama�s cabinet.

Will Bill try to co-govern?

Obama has always wanted to escape the Clinton shadow. Now they�re governing with him. The ex-Presdient will shortly disclose the names of 200,000 donors who have contributed to his “Clinton Global Initiative.� His speaking appearances ($425,000 per event) will have to be coordinated with the White House. But media-star Bill Clinton can always be counted on to try upstaging Obama.