Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is winding up a tour of Asia that has captivated crowds and wowed women everywhere. NPR’s Day to Day has a great story about her travels called “Clinton’s Brand of Diplomacy“. It’s a great listen and/or read. Enjoy!
Here is what I learned:
Clinton is a team player who understands an envoy of qualified people working in concert are needed to address the worries of the world.
Clinton said she’s a real believer in using envoys.
To me, this is how I like to operate,” she said. “I think it enhances my ability to actually be effective globally. I don’t think that one person in this world — given the complexity and intensity — could possibly handle all these portfolios without doing injustice to them.”
“I don’t think there is any way to say ‘this is how it is going to work,’ ” she said. “It is more like jazz. You’ve got to improvise. You’ve got to have people who are great individuals and ensemble players.”
Hillary is a superstar who can wield that ‘celebrity’ power to promote important messages
Clinton’s forte, though she says she doesn’t want to overplay it, is her celebrity. And she says it is her role to reintroduce America to the world.
Her personal diplomacy was on display throughout this swing through Asia, whether it was strolling through a poor neighborhood in Jakarta or taking part in a town hall meeting like one at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, the largest women’s university in the world.
The 3,000 people in the auditorium jumped out of their seats to applaud Clinton, who told them that promoting women’s rights will be a central mission for her as secretary of state.
Women’s issues are a top priority because Hillary has deemed it vital for security
“I view this not only as a moral issue but also as a security issue,” she said. “I think it is imperative that nations like ours stand up for the rights of women. It is not ancillary to our progress, it is central.”
People love Hillary and see her as a person not a politician
It was a very personal town hall, covering issues that included her childhood dreams to be an astronaut, her relationship with her daughter, Chelsea, balancing work and family — and her love life.
One student asked her how she knew her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was and is her love.
“You know I feel more like an advice columnist than a secretary of state today,” Clinton said, laughing.
She went on to describe Bill Clinton as her best friend, saying they have an endless conversation and never get bored.
Hillary is using her considerable campaign mojo for the good of America
It was vintage Hillary Clinton — working the crowds and still campaigning in a way — only this time, campaigning to improve America’s image.
Heroes for Hillary 
I am a Conservative/Republican who only became aware of Hillary’s expertise after 31 days (since January 20, 2009) of Tax Cheats; People who send dead fish to their “enemies”; Lobbyists in every corner of the White House; Biden’s foot-in-mouth disease; bailing out or irresponsible people; ACORN; Frank; Rangel; Dodds; Pelosi; Reid; White House vacations; teleprompters; Michelle; Chicago; Buriss; Blagojevich; Patterson (NY); Durban;and PORK.
HILLARY IN 2010!! I’ll even take Slick Willie as part of the package.