Hillary, Barack and “60 Minutes”

OK, Folks. Why this “softball” interview of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by Steve Kroft on “60 Minutes?” Clearly, but for the Benghazi terrorist strike and resultant tragedy, Hillary Clinton would have left the State Department with a blemish-free, exemplary four year record as Secretary of State. But, according to the independent panel, the failure of a few members of the State Department’s staff to react correctly to requests for increased embassy security in Benghazi led to the deaths of four U.S. diplomats. As a result, Hillary Clinton spent her second to last week on the job being cross-examined on the Hill by U.S. Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Congressman on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. By most accounts, she distinguished herself with measured, honest, and well-informed responses. She even honorably refused to take the bait from some Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee who wanted her to place the blame for security lapses solely on Republican Members of Congress who cut back on embassy security funds in the federal budget. Her fair, moderate response was that both parties had diminished funding for embassy security over the years. So, why the exceptional “60 Minutes” joint interview with the President not usually afforded to departing Cabinet Members??

I don’t believe the reason was simply the unusual scenario of a former Presidential rival leaving the Administration having served in the Cabinet of her opponent. Rather, I suspect, FMR POTUS, that is, former President Bill Clinton, might have played a key role in the background. The White House made great pains to put out the story that this interview was “their” idea. When the Administration has to float the “instigator” of an interview, that’s always reason for pause. I, for one, doubt the White House was the real instigator. What I suspect happened is, the following: Bill Clinton did yeomans service helping Barack Obama get re-elected. Some say that his speech at the Democratic National Convention was a game changer.

So . . . . . flash forward to election day. National press reports have already been professing Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Nominee to beat in 2016. So, Vice President Joe Biden’s staff – not to be outdone this early in the game – prompts a member of the press to approach Biden as he exits the polls in Delaware and ask Biden if this is the last time he will be voting for himself. Biden’s “Oh, I don’t think so” comment gains national press attention putting him back in the spotlight for 2016 just a bit. Biden then asks Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to administer the vice-presidential oath to him instead of Chief Justice Roberts . . . a coincidence or more likely an effort to showcase a Latino in this prominent role? Biden also hosts a reception for key Democratic supporters – many from key battleground states – at the Vice-President’s mansion on inaugural weekend and reportedly stops by the Iowa State Society Inaugural Ball for a visit. 2016 seems to be on his mind.

And, with President Obama having appointed Biden to head up his new gun control task force and Biden using his Hill relationships to help Obama negotiate a deal on the fiscal cliff, Biden is all over the national media. . at the same time that Hillary is taking the heat on the Hill for the Benghazi incident. So, while I can’t prove this, having been involved in politics for many years, it is foreseeable that Bill Clinton – or his emissaries –  contacted Obama or his staff to remind the President of his (Bill Clinton’s) instrumental role in his re-election . . and asserted that Obama “owes” Hillary – and Bill – an exit interview to burnish her image. Viola’, the “60 Minutes” interview. The interview is soft on news and primarily a “puff piece” focused on Obama singing Hillary’s praises. She deserves it. For Obama, sitting next to one of the most popular women in the world who enjoys broader bi-partisan and centrist support than he does, the interview doesn’t hurt him either, especially after recent criticism of his male-dominated White House staff.

2016 will be here sooner than we’d like. It is unfortunate that both Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden are not younger or, at least one of them 10 years younger than the other. They would make a formidable ticket in 2016. But, Hillary will be 69 years old and Biden 74 years old come 2016, so Democrats will need to choose sides as the race heats up if both decide to enter the fray. For Biden, his interest in the race seems clear. For Hillary, less so but even Obama seemed to imply that she will enter the race when during the “60 Minutes” interview, he said that he understands Hillary’s interest in taking “it easy for a little bit.” Another sign of her potential candidacy – it was announced last week that Hillary’s 2008 presidential campaign is now debt-free – thanks, in large part, to Bill Clinton’s efforts since she has been prohibited from political activities as Secretary of State. Hillary will have no more than a year or so to decide. I suspect she will run if she is able to clear most of the field and the “good ‘ole boys” in the Democratic Party aren’t lining up against her like they did in 2008. Stay tuned.