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December 5, 2004
I Vote For Bill Clinton

With all of the troubles facing UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at Turtle Bay -- graft, corruption, multiple investigations into his operations, his son's involvement in at least a major conlfict of interest, and calls for his resignation -- we may have an opening at the top of the UN soon, either through removal or Annan's resignation. Republicans have led the charge to insist on accountability from UN leadership for the disastrous results of their management of the Oil-For-Food program, and Senator Norm Coleman's call for Annan to step down is completely appropriate.

However, it does leave the question as to whom the GOP would consider an appropriate replacement for Annan, and we cannot just advocate abdication without having a constructive candidate in mind. Best of all would be Professor Reynolds' suggestion of Vaclav Havel, a man of surpassing integrity and clarity of thought. Unfortunately, he has such clarity of thought that I'm fairly certain he's too smart to accept it. Why would Havel allow his reputation to be hijacked by an organization of kleptocrats and corrupt bureaucrats, when all of the authority for reform would reside with the criminals?

We need another suggestion. Surprisingly, I think Bill Clinton would make a fine choice. And before my colleagues vote to toss me out of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, hear me out.

First, no one can deny Clinton's personal political gifts. Despite running the White House as his own personal seraglio and turning a blind eye to the true threat from Islamofascist terror, many around the world still see Clinton's presidency as a golden era of transatlantic comity -- you know, back when he did pretty much whatever Europe wanted him to do. He builds consensus based on that personal charm and has the gifts to get people to the table; Northern Ireland is one example of this. He would bring a non-threatening American viewpoint to the UN bureaucracy that has been sorely missing. His election would also allow the other UN member-states to demonstrate their supposed lack of anti-Americanism as well.

What would George Bush get for backing Clinton? First, he'd get Clinton out of his hair at a minimal cost. Second, he could then claim a spirit of bipartisanship by reaching out to one of his bitter political rivals. And while Clinton wouldn't bend over backwards for Bush by any means, Clinton did offer defenses of the American strategy in the war on terror while the rest of his party did the Pied Piper routine behind International ANSWER and MoveOn. That defense in the UN could disarm some diplomatic tension over American strategies.

Not enough, you say? Still wanting to strip me of my GOP stripes? Well, how about this: could Hillary run for President while Bill served as UN Secretary-General? Constitutionally, yes, but politically, her run for the White House would be a dead letter. No one, including the Democrats, would want to see that much power concentrated in the hands of one family.

So -- would he accept it, knowing it would cripple a return to the White House? Please. We spent eight years with the Ego From Another Planet. Does anyone really think he'd pass up a chance to run the world?

Bill Clinton for UN Secretary-General -- if not now, then in 2006. Let the Man from Hope run the world's most hopeless organization. It would be the best service he ever gave his country.

Sphere It Digg! View blog reactions
Posted by Ed Morrissey at December 5, 2004 11:15 AM

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» No More Clintons from Malnurtured Snay
Faced with the prospect of Kofi Anon stepping down, Captain's Quarters, a right-wing blog, has a surprise ideal candidate in mind to replace him: Bill Clinton. One of the reasons Captain's Quarters considers this a great move is that "..[how]... [Read More]

Tracked on December 5, 2004 1:36 PM

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Tracked on December 5, 2004 3:07 PM

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» Whither the UN? from The Sundries Shack
It really does look like Kofi Annan's days are numbered as Secretary General of the UN and more than a couple pundits are speculating about who would make a good replacement. I, personally, see the UN going one of two ways - and they way they decid... [Read More]

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In case the current round of scandals at the United Nations forces Kofi Annan out as U.N. Secretary General, Glenn Reynolds wants to name former Czech president Vaclav Havel as Kofi's successor. I'd give Havel the nod. He has a clear vision of refor... [Read More]

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» Bill Clinton For Secretary General Of The United Nations from Diggers Realm
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Tracked on December 8, 2004 12:28 AM



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