Hillary Clinton will be a great SoS

[Onlooker]

The fact is that Bill Clinton was probably our best president in terms of foreign relations in at least a generation, and commanded more respect than any other president for his efforts in the Middle East. So, appointing Hillary is a signal to the rest of the world that the U.S. intends to return to a more reliable, more balanced foreign policy.

The fact that Hillary Clinton is probably the second most prominent political leader in the U.S. is a signal to the rest of the world that Obama will take foreign relations seriously. Giving someone as high profile as Hillary a position like that is sure to bring confidence that Obama will not ignore the rest of the world even in the troubled times at home.

The fact that Hillary Clinton is a woman with a superb record on civil rights is a reminder that the U.S. remains committed to equal rights.

The fact that Hillary Clinton personally knows many foreign leaders means that Obama can move quickly in addressing some of the many issues that Bush created. Foreign leaders will not have to spend time getting to know her and building trust.

The fact that Hillary Clinton will have her husband as an advisor can only be a plus. Bill Clinton is as smart as any president of the modern era, understands politics, and managed to keep our nation centered in the middle of the Reagan revolution.

The fact that Hillary Clinton is one of the most respected leaders in U.S. Senate, and is respected by Republicans and Democrats is a good indicator that she's capable of building effective relationships.

The fact that both Hillary Clinton and Obama were Senators tells us that Obama knows what he's doing. He's seen how Clinton works with Democrats and with the opposition, how she prepares, how she argues, and how she compromises. Obama is in a superb position to understand Clinton's strengths, and frankly I trust Obama's judgment.

The fact that Hillary Clinton has been in the White House, and knows Madeleine Albright extremely well, means she has a very good understanding of how to build an effective relationship between a President and SoS, even in the face of nonstop attacks by a dishonest right wing.

I think the rest of the world will be thrilled with Clinton as SoS, and I think that matters most. I have yet to see an article from a foreign publication lamenting her as a likely choice for SoS.