What qualities or characteristics do you look for in a Sec of State

[Burgold]

Rather than looking at them one by one, it seems to me to make more sense to define what an ideal Sec of State would be like? And then put that model up against the prospective candidates.

I'll start kind of vaguely:

I think the key ingredients are: Poise under pressure, strength of will, a don't f with us attitude, a don't f with me reputation, knowledge of and experience with players in several of the major hotspots, and ability to carry through on my President's message (ability to be a team player)

[SnyderShrugged]

Rather than looking at them one by one, it seems to me to make more sense to define what an ideal Sec of State would be like? And then put that model up against the prospective candidates.

I'll start kind of vaguely:

I think the key ingredients are: Poise under pressure, strength of will, a don't f with us attitude, a don't f with me reputation, knowledge of and experience with players in several of the major hotspots, and ability to carry through on my President's message (ability to be a team player)

I really like your list of qualities. I'd add that they need to be a shrewd negotiator, and an unimpeachable character. They control and protect most of the precious and historical items of our founding, heck I think even the original constitution itself.

[Burgold]

I really like your list of qualities. I'd add that they need to be a shrewd negotiator, and an unimpeachable character. They control and protect most of the precious and historical items of our founding, heck I think even the original constitution itself.

yup... and between our lists we have at least one answer

Hillary Clinton is not the greatest fit. She certainly has some of these qualities, but a number of them she falls well short. She's go the don't F with me stuff, but like Bush et al. she seems to be a "means justifies the ends" kind of personality. That I don't think is the best quality in a negotiator or lieutenant.

[Zguy28]

Does anybody else see a woman SoS to be a problem?

I realize we already have one, but still. I wonder if it caused any problems in her meeting with dignitaries from parts of the world where women are still considered second-class citizens?

[Burgold]

I think there is a legit worry there, but I don't think it's an overriding concern. With the precedents of Rice and Albright in the last two administrations, I think foreign leaders have gotten very used to the idea of a female Sec of State.

I wouldn't consider gender in my primary or secondary breakdowns... I certainly wouldn't ever do it publicly if I had any say

[PeterMP]

Rather than looking at them one by one, it seems to me to make more sense to define what an ideal Sec of State would be like? And then put that model up against the prospective candidates.

I'll start kind of vaguely:

I think the key ingredients are: Poise under pressure, strength of will, a don't f with us attitude, a don't f with me reputation, knowledge of and experience with players in several of the major hotspots, and ability to carry through on my President's message (ability to be a team player)

I'm going to disagree kind of. I'd want my Sec. State to be somebody completely wed to diplomacy to the point that they were seen as anti-war and maybe a pacifist and a push over.

Sec. Def. is a different story.

[zoony]

I think they should be the smartest person in the room.

They should also exude charisma. Attractive, strong physical features, and measured with their words. They should be hard to read and/or judge. You never really know where they are coming from.

.....

[nonniey]

I'm going to disagree kind of. I'd want my Sec. State to be somebody completely wed to diplomacy to the point that they were seen as anti-war and maybe a pacifist and a push over.

QUOTE]

That is how wars get started.