Posted on 10/25/2009 5:15:10 PM PDT by jazusamo
If President Clinton was known for political triangulation, his wife is establishing herself as the quarterback of a multidirectional diplomatic offense.
Sen. John Kerry's dramatic insertion into talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week marked the third time the Obama administration has used proxy diplomats to resolve major foreign crises.
While critics of the approach say it is undermining Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and regular diplomatic channels, Mr. Kerry and State Department officials say that the secretary fully supported the senator's unusual role.
Mrs. Clinton even called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, on Monday to make sure it was OK for Mr. Kerry to miss a few important votes to secure Mr. Karzai's consent to a runoff election to settle an August vote tainted by fraud.
The mission by Mr. Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, followed high-profile diplomacy by another committee member, Jim Webb, Virginia Democrat, and by Mr. Clinton.
"Secretary Clinton has ... talked about expanding the diplomatic tools in the toolbox," said P.J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs. "What is most significant - if you focus on the examples of Senator Kerry and Senator Webb - it is the case of having the United States communicate through a variety of channels, but with a consistent message, and that's very important."
Mr. Webb in August went to Myanmar, where he met with political dissident Aung San Suu Kyi and Gen. Than Shwe, the head of the military junta that is keeping her under house arrest. While Mrs. Suu Kyi remains a prisoner, Mr. Webb won the release of an American detainee, John Yettaw.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
LOL. There are certainly a lot of tools involved.
Can you say “Violation of the constitution, boys and girls?”
“his wife is establishing herself as the quarterback of a multidirectional diplomatic offense. Sen. John Kerry’s dramatic insertion into talks with Afghan President”
Just shows what a weak and ineffectual Secretary of State we have.
yeah... the president shouldn’t be delegating a sitting congresscritter.
I heard on the BBC the other night that Richard Holbrooke, who is supposed to be the envoy to Afghanistan/Pakistan, is hated in Afghanistan....so the US “had” to send in jon f’n cary.
The way the guy on the BBC put it, cary is a big hero for stepping in there, and in Europe.
blech.
When I think of him, I think of the picture of he and Sen. Harkin meeting with Daniel Ortega when the US was on the opposite side.
Our foreign policy/diplomacy is being led by very dangerous and very stupid people.
My thoughts exactly, she hasn't done a thing as SoS.
Yes it is, and for Lurch to called on is pathetic.
When fools rush in!
LOL, causing rather than solving
That's actually a good thing. I'm glad she's in a spot where she's neutralized. She's scary.
/johnny
Kerry and Webb? Holy Vietnam, Batman.
Yep, quite a pair to draw to. Kinda gives you a sinking feeling.
The Hildebeast has got to be seething over the regular and visible slights by the anointed one and 0bamunists. She should have stayed in the Senate...
It’s time to take back the country.
It’s called “winging it” which is about right for amateur hour in this administration.
Tonk Memorial Kerry ridicule
I understand the only cost to the military for his wounds other than the Purple Hearts were the band aids. Don’t forget Christmas in Cambodia.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t put in for another Purple Heart....
Or the Nobel Peace Prize....
Or Miss America.....
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