In The Clintons aim to keep their worlds from colliding , in Thurday's Washington Post, Mary Beth Sheridan lays out an excellent analysis of how Hillary and Bill Clinton manage to remain professionally untangled even though their international paths criss-cross like fishnet. Hillary supporters and loyalists are accustomed to responding to detractors who alleged that Hillary would simply be like a little wind-up version of Bill were she to occupy the Oval office.No, the Clintons, even if you want to refer to them as "Billary" (which I do not) are not monolithic. Her stances and his do not necessarily occupy the same square foot, as the late Tim Russert was so talented at digging out. But their paths cross international air routes, especially in regions of their personal special interests like Northern Ireland and Haiti, so keeping their virtual trapezes from crashing takes precision.
Sheridan reports:
'A very tricky area'
The Clintons declined requests for interviews, but their aides emphasize that Secretary Clinton is carrying out the Obama administration's foreign policy and say that their shared priorities are a coincidence. Some lawmakers, however, are wary of potential conflicts. Bill Clinton's charitable foundation has received large contributions in recent years from governments such as Saudi Arabia's, as well as Indian tycoons and prominent supporters of Israel -- presenting what Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) called a "multimillion-dollar minefield of conflicts of interest." In response, the former president agreed to release the foundation's donor list and allow ethics officials to review some foreign pledges; the first annual disclosure of contributions since Hillary Clinton was confirmed is weeks away.
"They need to walk a very careful line; it's a very tricky area. Hopefully that is being heeded, in terms of fundraising, by the Clinton Foundation," said Andy Fisher, a spokesman for Sen. Richard G. Lugar (Ind.), the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Secretary Clinton will be revisiting the Foreign Relations Committee this coming week to testify regarding the new Afghanistan Policy just six weeks short of the first anniversary of her knockout confirmation appearance before that committee last January. She is certain to impress as she did in the past. Also, when the CGI annual report is issued, all of the "i"s are sure to be dotted, and every "t" crossed. Bill does not want, in any way, to interfere with Madame Secretary's important work. (Meanwhile, I know I am not alone in hoping they are spending a loving, relaxing holiday weekend together.)Read Mary Beth's article here.
