Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Hillary the "Yeswoman"

And her acquiescence to power


There was a point during Hillary's campaign when she really seemed a changed woman. She almost looked like she was turning into a conservative. I think that the unexpected rise of Obama, and her realization that some of his beliefs were more left than hers, perhaps made her say things that were more "right" than what she would ordinarily have said.

Even now, as Secretary of State, reporters have written glowing remarks about her tenacity, how she is hard working, and how she seems to connect with the people. And I keep thinking that her obvious intelligence would lead her away from her leftist ideology. That perhaps she would be transformed into an American Margaret Thatcher.

But, no such luck.

I see Hillary as an extension of the men around her. I don't see anything wrong with a woman being subservient to a husband, a father or an older brother. But, in Hillary's case, it always seems like she's hiding behind these figures, as though she really just cannot stand up for herself. Her ambitions for a political life seem simply like an afterthought to capitalize on the life she had led with her husband.

When Obama cleverly chose her for Secretary of State, he had to woo her into the position. She had run for President, lost, and was content to return to the semi-obscure life of a Senator. She didn’t seem to have any more fight left in her to continue her ambitions for the highest political position.

Hillary always seemed strong and tough as nails. But, she always keeps coming out as some kind of underdog – betrayed by her husband, and her presidency stolen from her by an impostor. And even now, despite exemplary reports from her colleagues, she is not advancing any independent thoughts or ideas, but is simply Obama’s yeswoman.

I’ve written before that I think if Hillary is to run for the next elections, it is Sarah Palin who will be her rival and not Obama. And whatever we may say about Sarah, we know that she has more fight in her than Hillary. I hope that Hillary doesn’t suffer through a second humiliation. But then, Hillary seems to admire power. And she might indeed give her loyal services to a President Sarah Palin, just like she’s doing for Obama, and like she did for Bill Clinton.