The Clinton Compromise – Bill tells all for sake of Hillary’s career

No, no, no….everyone already knows all about that!  What with Bill’s book, Hillary’s book, and the daily coverage on the news during his administration, Bill’s sexual exploits have been thoroughly covered.

The title is about how former President Bill Clinton has decided to disclose information so Hillary can be Secretary of State. President-elect Obama’s choice for the position, however, still raises eyebrows of many considering the heated contention between the two on the campaign trail.  And many pundits are still asking, “What will Bill’s role be in all of this?”

No matter what Hillary Clinton wants to do in her career, as long as she is married to the former president she will have to contend with questions like that.  Bill is still very active in his post-presidential career and is enjoying a continued success of which Hillary is still quite envious.  As a junior senator, Hillary wouldn’t have the opportunity for immediate advancement she feels entitled to after her run at the presidency.  Regardless of her pledges to represent New Yorkers in her senatorial re-election bid, she never really was satisfied being the small fish in the big pond.  Add to that how much Bill’s celebrity has grown, especially since he’s been out of office, and you can see how Bill’s activities still impact what she can and cannot do.

Bill Clinton has always stated that he would not disclose the names of those who have contributed to his foundation since many did so on the understanding that they would remain anonymous.  Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, who plans to vote to confirm Hillary’s appointment as Secretary of State, said:

I don’t know how, given all of our ethics standards now, anyone quite measures up to this who has such cosmic ties, but … hopefully, this team of rivals will work.”

Was there any English in that??

Lugar also said that “legitimate questions” will be raised with regards to Bill Clinton’s activities.  However, there are many, including Democrats, who feel Hillary is too politically ambitious to effectively serve in a new position.  Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island noted,

The presumption will be that both Secretary of State Clinton and former President Clinton will be very judicious in what they take on, because there’s a new dimension here.

But, in order to appease his wife (and, more likely, to help his star to continue to rise), Bill has agreed to terms that the President-elect’s transition team required.  Included are agreements:

-to disclose the names of every contributor to his foundation since its inception in 1997 and all contributors going forward.

-to refuse donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Global Initiative, his annual charitable conference.

-to cease holding CGI meetings overseas.

-to volunteer to step away from day-to-day management of the foundation while his wife is secretary of state.

-to submit his speaking schedule to review by the State Department and White House counsel.

-to submit any new sources of income to a similar ethical review.

While Bill may be willing to compromise like that, the larger question is whether Hillary really is ready to follow suit.  By agreeing to take the position, President-elect Obama has assured her that she will have direct contact with him and can pick her own staff.  But is she really ready to let go of her campaign and fundraising habits?  It certainly wouldn’t help the new president’s administration to have someone covertly planning a run at his office in 2012.  And can Hillary really stand having to wait four or eight years to try again at the office for which she feels entitled?

After the way Hillary and Obama sniped at each other on the campaign trail and Hillary’s ambitious nature, is Bill really the biggest concern to the incoming presidency anymore?  Maybe this is a way of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.