IT'S hard to find confidence in politics these days. The heyday of President Obama's political fervor has been tempered by a faltering economic recovery, the worst oil catastrophe of all time, sinking approval ratings and a tea party movement spearheaded by Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. As the Obama administration flounders and Republicans make moves to retake government, Democrats can only hope the times will change. Yet amidst the turmoil of Obama's inner circle comes one glowing exception. Love her or hate her, Hillary Rodham Clinton seems to be the only one from the Obama administration coming out of this political fire storm with her reputation intact. And she has even managed to do it with class and strong approval ratings.
Although Clinton lost a tough primary race in 2008, she overcome her loss and reached the pinnacle of her political career. Despite predictions that she would polarize the White House and be a thorn in Obama's side, Clinton has become one of his closest advisors. By all accounts, she helped transform the State Department in just over a year and a half. Although Clinton has remained largely out of the limelight, she fulfilled her reputation as a tenaciously hard worker who even makes her toughest critics jealous.
Now Clinton is slowly taking back the spotlight as she attempts to negotiate a long-awaited peace agreement between Arabs and Israelis. Sitting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, Clinton showcased United States diplomatic commitment to finding peace while highlighting her own abilities in negotiations. Although talks have hung in the balance since Israel allowed a moratorium on West Bank settlement construction to end on Sept. 26, Clinton has proven that she is a political dynamo and international superstar. She has once again carved out her place in history. Now with high approval ratings in the U.S., Clinton continues to transform American diplomacy and has already made great strides. In particular, her efforts for a closer relationship with Russia and increased sanctions against North Korea and Iran have been successful.
As the United States looks to its future, it must re-evaluate its foreign policy and diplomacy. As secretary of state, Clinton is working hard to forge this new diplomacy. In this speech to the Council on Foreign Relations on Sept. 8, Clinton proclaimed, "We will seize this new moment of opportunity this new American moment. We are a nation that has always believed we have the power to shape our own destiny, to cut a new and better path." Clinton argued that despite country's own economic woes, the United States must now strengthen diplomacy. This will no doubt be her task during the next two years as secretary of state.
In a political climate so often dominated by men, Clinton's successes are promising. One can even find Clinton's example contributing to the rise of other American female politicians, particularly among Republicans. Nikki Haley, an Indian-American, became South Carolina's first female Republican nominee for governor. Arkansas Democrat Blanche Lincoln also won a senate runoff. Having such a strong female leader in one of the country's top political positions not only sends a clear signal to the international community, but also to current and future female politicians.
Clinton has had quite a year, but not just as secretary of state. Her daughter, Chelsea, finally tied the knot with Marc Mezvinsky, son of an Iowa congressman, in July. To the public, Clinton appears to be having the time of her life with a new-found public image among both Republicans and Democrats, and she continues to elude critics and fans. The question is: What will she do in 2012? Whatever her future ambitions, we can only hope she will stick around on the political scene.
Ashley Chappo is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at a.chappo@cavalierdaily.com
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