The only way Obama could get Hillary to join the administration was to offer her State. But there are many more reasons why this is the perfect place for her. And this appointment is just one more piece of evidence that Obama knows exactly what he is doing.

At this point in time, Obama needs no help in building good will either domestically or internationally. The moment he was elected, a kind of euphoria descended on the country and globally. This will not last.

Domestically he has been dealt a hand that could not be weaker, but which he therefore cannot make worse. By sticking to health care in his first year, he can confound the pundits who say the economy prevents true reform. He will maintain that the opposite is true, and, by achieving a universal health care plan, will cement his place in history in the first 6 months.

Internationally, it also seems he can do no wrong because his trustworthiness is regarded as a given in most parts of the world. But in this arena his balance is far more precarious. Internationally he cannot control events nearly as neatly as he can domesitically. His good will both at home and abroad will wilt on the vine as soon as the administration mishandles a single international incident.

Looking back on the campaign, his biggest critic on readiness for international challenges was not John McCain but Hillary Clinton. McCain essentially dropped the argument when he started calling Obama a celebrity Messiah and selected Sarah Palin as a running mate. He never got back on track on the "experience" theme.

But Clinton's charges of a lack of readiness as commander in chief ("ready on day one") really hurt Obama and were it not for the economy tanking in the fall, might have stuck.

I fully expect that Obama will perform superbly as commander in chief with or without Hillary Clinton on the team. But with her, the administration's potential mistakes will not be perceived as rookie mistakes. With Hillary, Obama purchases those so-called commander in the chief bona fides which should immunize him from his opponents' inevitable "I told you so's."

More than immunization, however, the differences between Clinton and Obama on foreign policy have never been as great as advertised. For long-time Obama supporters like me, the biggest difference between them was Clinton's support of the Iraq War, a question of judgment, but not a question that will likely divide the two going forward. Judgment and change is what America voted for and Obama gets to exercise it and achieve it -- not the Secretary of State.

All in all, this appointment fills any perceived holes in Obama's foreign policy portfolio, and gives real credibility to the Obama administration's international profile.

I have to admit, though-- I can't wait until Obama tells her to meet with Iranian leaders without advance concessions. There will be some dancing and weaving on that one.

An article in my morning paper said that Obama has to focus on the economy,so Clinton can handle the Foreign affairs.Makes sense to me.

I think both Clinton's are smart enough to do just that.Forget the Nattering nabobs of punditry.They have lost any sign of objectivity by any thinking person.

MaryAnne;

While I agree Clinton was a good pick, I strongly disagree that Obama will allow her (or certainly not her husband) to "handle foreign affairs". If that were the intent or the result of this appointment it would be the absolute worst choice. Foreign affairs in the long run will be the overshadowing challenge of this administration. The slightest deviation from Obama's policies will be calamitous unless Clinton (or other advisors) convince Obama on the merits to adjust his thinking and direction. This will be the same way he will approach issues and policies being addressed by any of his cabinet members.

Anyone who thinks Obama would hand off any major policy topic to a cabinet member while he tends to another, simply doesn't know Obama as evidenced by his life and his campaign. Obama is no Reagan, no Clinton, no Carter, and no Bush Sr. or Jr. He is of a far superior cloth. His intelligence and ability to draw the best team together and to make decisions based on his own deliberative judgment is reflected by everything he has done.

I am certain that in order to garner this appointment, Hillary Clinton had to assure Obama that there would be no expectation of divided duties. If she undermines his vision, she will be out on her ear. She will be a strong Secretary of State, but in the end she will Obama's Secretary of State.

John

I was initially worried about her more hawkish stances on foreign policy, and find it hard to get over her casual statement about "totally obliterating Iran." But perhaps she can be deferent to Obama when it will be necessary to be. I do think the two of them agree more than they differ on the major foreign policy issues. Her vote to support the war is history in my mind. The challenge is ending it responsibly. I hope that she shares Obama's world view and preference for diplomacy, which is valued and keenly anticipated all over the world as we have seen.