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If Bill Clinton Actually Pulls This Off…
he will be a hero in my eyes for the rest of his life:
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is on his way to North Korea to try to negotiate the release of two American journalists convicted by the communist state of “grave crimes,” South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday.
Clinton had already left for the North but had not yet arrived in Pyongyang, Yonhap said in a report from Washington quoting a source familiar with the issue.
“As soon as he arrives, he will be entering negotiations with the North for the release of the female journalists,” the source was quoted as saying.
14 Responses to “If Bill Clinton Actually Pulls This Off…”
Good for him! For all the tarnish that seems to continuously mar history's view of his presidency, Clinton has accomplished a lot as an ex-president. His role model is Jimmy Carter, but I believe Bill has already eclipsed Carter.
“Bill has already eclipsed Carter.”
I don't know. I'd say I've been equally impressed by both men since they left office. Clinton on a grander scale in dealing with international affairs. Carter on a more personal level with Habitat for Humanity.
Clinton could probably do it, he's an Alpha Shmoozer.
This is one way in which the selection of Hillary Clinton as SECSTATE was really quite brilliant — it allows President Obama to use former President Bill Clinton as an unofficial emissary with unusual credibility and influence but without compromising key positions like the official diplomatic non-recognition of North Korea's regime.
I was happy to read this too…and quite impressed with the decision. I think this is the closest we've had to a perfect foreign affairs move in over a decade. Bill has the clout to open the doors and talk with NK while keeping direct negotiations between Obama and Kim, which would be a reward to Kim, off the table.
Kathy, why isn't Bill Clinton already a permanent hero in your eyes?
Don't over-gush again as a liberal, Kathy.
The plight of the journalists is no big deal. Far more important is the fact that Bill Clinton rather than Hillary Clinton (or Obama or Biden) is being sent as a super-emissary with clout and a history with the North Koreans in the past. (Obviously more clout than someone like Madeleine Albright was in order.)
I'm wondering about the _real_ subjects of the meetings there. (Shouldn't be limited to the journalists.)
Maybe some of you libs (aside from the wiser ones all along) will interestingly respect secrecy and discretion in this case, working with the North Koreans of all people, rather than assuming secrecy and working seriously with evil regimes is something only icky Republicans do and is therefore to be hated.
I have yet to see anyone wonder aloud whether this might not also be learned from before dealing with Iran.
“I believe Bill has already eclipsed Carter”
I respectfully disagree — Carter has a far better personal-behavior reputation as well as a much greater record of diplomacy and good work both in and especially after his presidency. Where you have some weight for your position is that Bill Clinton hasn't stooped at times to more pathetic politics, in large part to slam the Bush administration (and get a PC Nobel Peace Prize as a reward and additional slap at Bush) or to take a liberal Democratic PC position (bashing Israel).
Who knows, maybe Bill Clinton will next work with the Iranians or the Palestinian terrorists again (that good old sweet-talking, again) and actually make some progress and win a Nobel Peace Prize eventually.
Left unanswered is why he is sought and used rather than Hillary Clinton. Is it to exploit Bill or to suppress the ambitions or otherwise hold in check Hillary (by Obama)? Or is this just being done on the fly like so much legislation, currently?
“I'm wondering about the _real_ subjects of the meetings there”
Never mind the dumb journalists [sniffle]. What about nukes, missiles, succession, stability, reunification?
Kathy, why isn't Bill Clinton already a permanent hero in your eyes?
Because he isn't.
Looks like he pulled it off. I just read an announcement that both journalists are being “pardoned”.
That's awesome news, pacatrue. Time to celebrate with an intern! lol
I agree with shannonlee though, this is a near perfect diplomatic move.
Oh and DLS:
“Left unanswered is why he is sought and used rather than Hillary Clinton. Is it to exploit Bill or to suppress the ambitions or otherwise hold in check Hillary (by Obama)? Or is this just being done on the fly like so much legislation, currently?”
I think it's more that Hillary has sniped too much with NK in recent weeks.
Yes, it looks like he got the journalists released.
I still say the other items I listed are far more important, but feeling good probably counts for something.
* * *
“I think it's more that Hillary has sniped too much with NK in recent weeks.”
Or they're just appealing to the basest of motives, including sexism in North Korea's rulers, maybe. (Not to put her down so much as to provide a male and former President, seen as someone with more clout, or guanxi as the Chinese would say — that by sending this guy the Americans are treating this seriously.)
While I blame North Korea for that, not Hillary Clinton, doesn't the substitution of her husband constitute a failure of her for which she as well as “the United States” will have to suffer?
I wonder exactly what it all means, not just for Hillary's future politically (more than vocationally at this point) but for the USA, such as in future dealings with the Iranians.
[grin] At least they didn't choose to be so rash as to send Joe Biden there instead.
* * *
Side note of the day –
“Carter on a more personal level with Habitat for Humanity.”
Incidentally, not only is this a great organization and work, but where was the stimulus money for this organization and its work, particularly in distressed areas that also should have been given money and assistance for demolition and removal of old, wrecked (or burned) structures, such as in Detroit and in other older Rust Belt cities, many of which will never regain population in large measure, and which then leave open for contention what purpose to which the land that should be vacated should then be used, for urban parklands or urban gardens, or for always-in-insufficient-supply affordable and public housing?
@ DLS. Who knows about SecState Clinton. I think partially to blame is the perception that's arisen in recent years through Albright and Rice and now Clinton receive the “woman's work” of Secretary of State. Why wouldn't regimes see that this is where we send our female politicians? So other nations can defensively treat it like a joke, even though all 3 women are smart and worthy negotiating adversaries.
I think Clinton, like Rice before her, will realize she has the most thankless task in the entire Administration and she'll want out after one term. It's also hard to maintain a power base in DC when you're being jetted all over the globe and getting in local diplomatic disputes.
This is an interesting dynamic. I'll have to think on it further.